Faculty & Staff
Each faculty and staff member at Chesterton Academy is a faithful Catholic who has taken an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Each has also undergone Safe Environment requirements.
Mr. David Klosterman
Headmaster
Mathematics & Latin
Among his almost 15 years of teaching experience, Mr. Klosterman was privileged to be among the founding faculty when Chesterton Academy first began in 2014. Since then, he earned a master's degree in Catholic School administration form Marymount University. In addition to performing administrative duties, he enjoys instructing students in the Mathematics and Latin.
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BA - Liberal Arts (major concentration Classics and Early Christian Studies) at Christendom College
M.Ed. - Catholic School Administration and Supervision at Marymount University
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dklosterman@chestertonacademyofrochester.org
585-445-8001
Mr. Daniel Berryment
Dean of Academics
Philosophy & Literature
Athanasius House Advisor
Mr. Berryment earned his bachelor's degree in English from Houghton University. His interests range from Homer's epics and Plato's dialogues to the novels of Dostoyevsky and short stories of Flannery O'Connor. He is especially attentive to the role of literature to form the religious and moral imaginations, and enjoys helping students learn to appreciate the great works of the past.
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BA - English at HoughtonUniversity
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Mrs. Karen DiTucci
Dean of Students
Physical Education
Mrs. DiTucci's bio.......
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BS Physical Education (MB), K-12;
Minor: School of Health Education (MA), 7-12 Central Michigan University
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Masters in Higher Education Administration, University of Rochester
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Mrs. Anna Michalkow
Literature, & Latin I
Augustine House Advisor
Mrs. Michalkow teaches Literature 9 and 10, Astronomy/Physical Science, and Latin I. She grew up in Utica, NY, and moved to Rochester to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and Education. She met her husband, Steven, while attending Bible studies at the St. Irenaeus Center, and they have been married for almost two years. Mrs. Michalkow acted in plays in middle and high school, including with homeschooling groups and the School of the Deaf in Rome, NY. She enjoys camping, kayaking, walking, drawing, and playing the piano.
BA - Liberal Arts (majoring in Education and English) at Nazareth College
M. Literacy - at Nazareth College
NYS Certified in Teaching
Mr. Kurt Griffen
History & Drama
Mr. Griffin teaches, History, Debate, and Drama. In the past he has taught Music and directed the school choir. In addition to his teaching at Chesterton Academy, he works with various home school co-ops teaching History, Econ/Gov., Music, and directs plays with his wife. Kurt is a convert to the Catholic church. His reading of G.K. Chesterton was a major influence in his conversion. He is married with four sons.
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BA - Religion/Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College
Masters of Divinity from Northeastern Seminary
Masters in History at SUNY Brockport
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Mrs. Theresa Claybaugh
Office Assistant
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Mrs. Claybaugh is passionate about working with people and has dedicated much of her life to serving others. She formerly served as the director of the Women's Care Center, a pregnancy center committed to helping young mothers choose life for their babies. She also worked at Heritage Christian Services, supporting individuals with disabilities. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, gardening, and cherishing time with her family—especially her beloved grandchildren.
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office@chestertonacademyofrochester.org​
(585) 471-1533
Mr. Brian Herr
Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Ambrose House Advisor
Mr. Herr teaches Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Chemistry. While at University of Central Florida, he was involved with the Catholic Campus ministry. He served his peers by leading Bible studies, organizing retreats, and participating in mission trips. Through this ministry he also met his wife, Sarah. They married a year before graduation and welcomed their son, Peter last May. Mr. Herr was the first math and science teacher at the new Chesterton Academy in Orlando, Florida and looks forward to continuing his career New York.
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BA - General Studies (with a focus in mathematics and its application in various fields) at the University of Central Florida
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Dr. Fernando Ontiveros
Biology
Dr. Ontiveros earned a PhD in Immunology from the University of Rochester and BS in Biology from the National University of Mexico. He is an Associate Professor of Biology at St. John Fisher University and Board Member at Chesterton Academy. Dr. Ontiveros conducts research funded by the National Science foundation and the National Geographic Society. He lives in Rochester with his wife and three children.
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PhD - Immunology at the University of Rochester
BS - Biology at the National University of Mexico​
Ms. Michelle Raczka
Theology
Chrysostom House Advisor
In her Theology courses, Miss Raczka equips scholars to reference their Bibles and Catechisms to explain Catholic truths, along with their Biblical and philosophical underpinnings. For 15 years, she was a part of a religious community that spread the message of Divine Mercy through parish missions. Through the Institute of Catholic Culture’s Magdala Apostolate and Christendom College’s Vita Consecrata Institute she took a range of advanced religion and theology classes. She is also certified in Levels 1 and 2 of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and enjoys helping children of all ages grow in their relationships with God.
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Miss Raczka has a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health, & Society from Cornell University, with a focus on Nutrition. She still enjoys experimenting with food science in her cooking and baking, and in gardening, where she sees God’s beauty and providence in creation.
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mraczka@chestertonacademyofrochester.org
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Mr. Sean Jefferson
Music
Sean Jefferson is a professional drummer, composer, and educator with 21 years of experience performing, touring, recording, and teaching. As an educator, Sean is an adjunct professor of music at Roberts Wesleyan University, where he lectures in subjects related to: 20th & 21st Century Popular Music; History of American Popular Music idioms as an art form and cultural phenomenon; and critical listening and critical analysis of popular music idioms as an art form.
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Dr. Justin Pelletier
Physics
Dr. Pelletier holds a PhD in Information Assurance and Security, an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and a BS in Computer Science. He is a Professor of Practice at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he led the development of curriculum in quantum mechanics for the cybersecurity department. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Pelletier was a civil servant in the intelligence community and a member of the modeling and simulations working group within the U.S. National Security Council. He is a combat veteran and currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is also a life-promised lay member of the religious Ordo Praedicatorum (Dominican Order). Professor Pelletier has authored more than three dozen scholarly articles, book chapters, and patents focused on security and information economics. He lives on a small farm with his wife and their five children.
Ms. Grace Rembold
Mathematics
Miss Rembold teaches Algebra II. She also works as an engineer at QuidelOrtho on a full-time basis. She enjoys reading, watching movies with her family, attending discussion groups at the St. Irenaeus Center, swing dancing, and playing with her golden retriever.
BS Mechanical Engineering and BA Philosophy at Benedictine College (Kansas)​
Mr. Ted Janizewski
Latin
Mr. Janiszewski has his Master's in Theological Studies from the University of Notre Dame where he focused in biblical studies. He has written for Gilbert magazine, and was a speaker at the 44th Annual Chesterton Conference in New Orleans. In addition to teaching Latin, he is director of St. Irenaeus Ministries.​
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Mrs. Claudia Reyda
Spanish
A native of Colombia, Mrs. Reyda has taught Spanish in Rochester for over 10 years. In addition to teaching, she is involved in the faith education at her parish. Mrs. Reyda is married with four children. She enjoys gardening, exercising and spending time with family and friends.
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BA - Spanish with a Minor in Secondary Education at Andes University, Bogota, Colombia
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Dr. Christopher Burns
Latin
Dr. Burns has taught Latin for more than ten years at the junior high, high school, and college levels. He has a Ph.D. from Fordham University, an M.A. from Villanova University, and a B.A. from the University of Dallas, all in Classics (Latin and Greek). Currently, in addition to teaching at Chesterton Academy, he teaches Latin at a Catholic school near Syracuse, New York. ​
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Mr. Keith Farrell
Director of Athletics
Mr. Peter Weeg
Art
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