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
M.Ed. in 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
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.
Mrs. Karen DiTucci
Dean of Students
Physical Education
BS Physical Education (MB), K-12;
Minor: School of Health Education (MA), 7-12
Mrs. Anna Michalkow
Literature, Latin I & Astronomy
Masters degree in education from Nazareth University. She has six New York State Professional Teaching Certifications and earned a bachelor's degree in English. Her interests include star gazing, playing piano, hiking and canoeing in the Adirondacks, and reading ancient and medieval texts from Homer to Chaucer. She enjoys helping students discover their own connections to literature and science through interactive seminars, hands-on experiments, and open dialogue to promote a sense of wonder and joy in all they do.
Mr. Brian Herr
Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Bachelor’s of General Studies from the University of Central Florida. His studies focused primarily in mathematics and its application in various fields. 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.
Mrs. Caitlin Mariconti
Music
Bachelor of Music in Education, K-12, from The Catholic University of America. Her previous teaching experience includes Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington. She has sung professionally both in Washington, DC and in Rochester. Caitlin has a love for sacred and liturgical music and is passionate about forming students in the beautiful treasury of Church music. She lives in the Rochester area with her husband and four sons.
Mr. Kurt Griffen
History & Drama
BA in Religion/Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College; Masters of Divinity from Northeastern Seminary; Masters in History from SUNY Brockport. He has taught Theology, History, Music and directed the choir.. In addition 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
Dr. Fernando Ontiveros
Biology
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.
Mrs. Claudia Reyda
Spanish
BA Spanish​, Minor in secondary Education. A native of Colombia, Mrs. Reyda has taught Spanish in Rochester for over 10 years and is also involved in faith education at ther parish.
Ms. Elena Cambio
Theology
Mr. Peter Weeg
Art
Miss Cambio is a staff writer with the Catholic Courier in Rochester, NY and is also a published fiction writer and independent filmmaker. Miss Cambio served as the Spiritual Life Coordinator at St. John Bosco Schools and developed the middle school religion curriculum there from 2020-2023. She holds an M.F.A. in Imaging Arts from R.I.T., an M.A. in Linguistics from Ohio University, and a Certificate in Catechetical Leadership through the Diocese of Rochester. She will teach Theology 9, 10, and 11.
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