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Brittany Phillips.

With the start of the 2019-2020 school year, Chapman welcomes an array of new students along with new faculty and staff.
The Chapman faculty gained five new teachers and a new receptionist at the start of the 2019 school year, all of whom are looking forward to a fresh start.

Martha Raines, a 1991 graduate, is the new receptionist. Raines formerly worked as a receptionist for O.P. Earle Elementary School, and she is looking forward to what Chapman has to offer. 

“The people and the atmosphere are what drew me to Chapman. The atmosphere here at Chapman is very positive and team-oriented, which is different compared to other places I have worked,” Raines said. 

Brittany Burns is a first-year teacher, an alumna of Converse College and a Landrum High School graduate. Burns graduated from Converse in 2019 with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in education. 

“I wanted to be in District One. I grew up in District One, but I was set on Landrum because that is where I went. When I student taught here, I knew Chapman is where I wanted to be,” Burns said.

Burns is excited for what her first year of teaching is going to bring, and she is even more excited to build bonds with her students and make her first year of teaching the most memorable. 

Sam Cheshier is a first-year teacher and a graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate with a degree in biology and general science. Cheshier is teaching physical science and is more than ready to make Chapman. 

“The list goes on and on but to highlight a few: Chapman really marketed their family values and ensured I would feel right at home. Also, I already knew a few staff members who have worked here and they all had nothing but positive things to say,” Cheshier said. 

Amanda Coates graduated from Chapman in 1994. She studied at Clemson University and graduated with a degree in secondary education and Spanish, but she didn’t plan to teach Spanish.

“My original plan was to teach in an elementary school, but after beginning my Spanish studies, I fell in love with the language and decided I would love to teach it as a career.  I am grateful to many former teachers for inspiring me, including one of my wonderful Spanish teachers, Mrs. McClure,” Coates said. 

Coates previously taught at Union High School for three years and Dorman High School for 18. Coates is glad to be returning to her alma mater and is looking forward to the 2019-2020 school year. 

Jonathan Rollins is a 1992 graduate of Chapman. While he was a student, he played football and golf. Rollins previously coached at Chapman from 1993 to 2007. 

“I have lived in Inman my entire life and Chapman holds a special place in my heart,” Rollins said. 

Rollins is a middle school assistant football coach and a physical education teacher. 

Brittany Phillips has been a softball coach at Chapman for the past four years and is now joining the Chapman staff as a physical education teacher and the head varsity volleyball coach. Phillips previously worked at Campobello-Gramling School as a physical education teacher.

“I have worked at Chapman for the previous 4 years as the softball coach. I have really enjoyed working with the coaching staff and students at Chapman, and wanted to be over here full time,” Phillips said. 

Phillips is now a part of the Chapman family and coaches both volleyball and softball, along with teaching physical education. 

“I’m really pleased with who we were able to hire number one, but this year was different because we were hiring positions all over the place,” Principal Andrew McMillan said. “Hiring people in this field is critical and they have to be able to get along with people, so I am very happy with them and was the first full group of people I hired as principal and I believed they were really a great group of people. I am very pleased with this group of faculty and know they will do great.”