Briarcrest Christian School announced last week that Caron Swatley has been appointed to the position of President.The appointment is effective July 1.
Current President Mark Merrill will be assuming the role of President Emertis. He will continue to serve as a member of the Briarcrest Board of Trustees.
Merrill will also continue to serve in a part-time advisory capacity, working on strategy, special projects and helping to onboard a new Vice President of Business Affairs.
Swatley is a native of Shelby County and graduated from University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Instructional Design and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.
She began her career in Memphis City Schools as a first-grade teacher, then taught fourth grade and seventh grade in the Shelby County School system.
She has been at Briarcrest for 15 years, serving as a teacher, Principal and Headmaster.
She and her husband, Terry, have twins – Matt and Jake, class of 2011.
“It is a pleasure to serve with Mr. Merrill as he leads with courage, wisdom, character and a commitment to unashamedly claiming God’s word,” said Swatley. “We have a faculty and staff who are dedicated to delivering an exceptional academic education while investing in the artistic, athletic and spiritual growth of our students. With the 50th anniversary of our school approaching, we celebrate our history and look forward to further cultivating academic excellence taught from a Christian worldview.”
“Looking back on my time at Briarcrest Christian School, what strikes me are the levels of excellence that we have achieved in our faculty and staff, our academic, athletic and art programs, and our facilities,” said President Mark Merrill. “The greatest blessings that we have celebrated are the student lives that have been changed by the redemptive power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a school, we have remained faithful and true to God and His Word in the face of a culture that is increasingly hostile to a traditional, biblical, Christian worldview.”
Since 1973, Briarcrest Christian School has offered a unique and balanced combination of academic excellence and Christian education.
Briarcrest Christian School is co-educational and non-denominational, and with approximately 1,550 students in grades PK2 – 12, is the largest private school in the Mid-South.
For admissions information, call 901.765.4605 or go to www.briarcrest.com.
