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Moravian Academy in Action
Celebrating New Leadership Promotions for Dr. Abby Mahone and Dr. Rachel Wright
Moravian Academy is delighted to announce the promotion of two outstanding educational leaders to Assistant Head of School roles beginning July 1, 2026:
Dr. Abby Mahone will serve as Assistant Head of School for Early Childhood through Middle School Academics in addition to her role as Historic Downtown Campus Director. In this expanded role, Abby will lead academic program excellence across our EC-8th grade divisions, ensuring strong curriculum alignment and instructional quality across both the Historic Downtown and Swain campuses, while building on the distinctive strengths and successful practices already present in each community. She will continue her exceptional leadership of the Historic Downtown Campus while providing strategic academic support to continue to strengthen our program for our youngest learners through eighth grade. Abby's deep experience—including her years teaching at the Swain Campus—creates additional opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and long-term program development for both EC-8 campuses. Learn more about Dr. Abby Mahone
Dr. Rachel Wright will serve as Assistant Head of School for Upper School Academics in addition to her role as Merle-Smith Campus Director. Rachel will lead academic excellence in our Upper School program while continuing her outstanding leadership of the Merle-Smith Campus. Her strategic vision for college preparatory education and proven track record of instructional innovation will elevate our Upper School's competitive positioning and ensure our oldest students receive the rigorous, relevant preparation they need for success beyond Moravian Academy. Learn more about Dr. Rachel Wright
Together, Abby and Rachel will co-lead our Educational Leadership Team and oversee school-wide professional development, ensuring our faculty have access to cutting-edge instructional strategies and collaborative learning opportunities. This partnership brings together expertise across all developmental levels—early childhood through college preparation—to create a cohesive yet developmentally appropriate academic experience for every student.
New Leadership Structure
After conducting an open search and reflecting on Moravian Academy’s long-term academic goals, we determined that our school is best served by leadership rooted in strong educational expertise and deep knowledge of our community. As a result, we will transition from our current Associate Head of School model to this collaborative leadership approach that builds on the strengths of our campus directors while preserving the personalized support each campus community values.
Strong Campus Leadership Across All Three Locations
This structure provides important leadership and continuity across three campuses:
- Megan Franzyshen continues her vital leadership as Swain Campus Director, overseeing all daily operations, faculty supervision, campus culture, and parent relations at Swain. Megan's dedicated focus on the Swain community ensures our families and faculty receive the responsive, personalized attention that defines the Swain Campus experience, while continuing to benefit from the opportunities inherent as a part of the three-campus school. She will partner closely with Abby on academic program initiatives while maintaining her essential role leading every aspect of campus life.
- Abby Mahone continues as Historic Downtown Campus Director while providing academic leadership support across the EC-8th grade division at both the Historic Downtown and Swain campuses.
- Rachel Wright continues her exceptional leadership as Merle-Smith Campus Director while leading strategic opportunities for the Upper School program, sustained academic excellence, and thoughtful alignment school-wide.
All three of these educational leaders bring deep expertise, unwavering commitment to our students, and proven track records of excellence. I am grateful for their partnership as we continue preparing young people to thrive with lives of purpose and meaning in our complex world.
This transition will occur as our current Associate Head of School, Dr. Lara Wulff, departs in June for a new professional opportunity. We are deeply grateful for her contributions to Moravian Academy and wish her well.
