RUMFORD — The first trimester at Mountain Valley High School is more than two thirds done. For two new teachers in the building, it’s been two months of putting new names with new faces and becoming part of the school’s community.

Marie Russell is the French teacher and Jennifer Bolduc joined the science department to teach chemistry and physics.

Principal Matt Gilbert said, “It is always exciting to add staff members that are quality educators with strong connections to the community. Both ladies have a long relationship with Mountain Valley High School and have already built strong reputations as leaders and educators.”

Bolduc taught in various areas for 10 years at Dirigo High School. She taught Spanish, special education, alternative education, math and science, though she originally went to college to be an archaeologist.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and geology with a minor in biology at University of Maine at Farmington and Humboldt State University in California.

Bolduc said, “I am excited to be at a new school and with a new set of staff and students. Also to be at the high school my daughter, Alecia, attends and my son, Avery, will attend.”

Russell is familiar with the halls of MVHS. She is a member of the class of 2008.

After graduating from UMF with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in women and gender studies, Russell worked as a substitute at MVHS. She then became a education technician at Wiscasset High School.

Russell explained, “I am excited to come back to my roots and teach at MVHS. I am excited to work with a staff that I love and students who come from the same place I came from. I will immerse myself in the French language and hope to spark an interest for the students in this language.”

Both women looked to the future and, at the end of the year, hope their students are successful.

Bolduc said, “I hope kids say that Mrs. Bolduc is nice and caring and taught us a lot about science, life and how to be a good person.”

Russell added, “I would like to hear students say I was fun, but disciplined, and that they are able to carry on basic conversations in French.”