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. Joshua Belokur
Headmaster
Debate
Mr. David Klosterman
Dean of Faculty
History, Pre-Calculus, Latin & Greek
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.
BA - Liberal Arts (major concentration Classics and Early Christian Studies) at Christendom College
M.Ed. - Catholic School Administration and Supervision at Marymount University
dklosterman@chestertonacademyofrochester.org
585-445-8001
Mr. Daniel Berryment
Dean of Academics
Philosophy, Literature & Senior Captsone
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.
BA - English at HoughtonUniversity
Mrs. Karen DiTucci
Dean of Students
Physical Education
BS Physical Education (MB), K-12;
Minor: School of Health Education (MA), 7-12 Central Michigan University
Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, University of Rochester
Mrs. Theresa Claybaugh
Office Assistant
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.
office@chestertonacademyofrochester.org
(585) 471-1533
Mr. Brian Herr
Geometry, Calculus, Astronomy & Physics
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.
BA - General Studies (with a focus in mathematics and its application in various fields) at the University of Central Florida
Mr. Sean McMahon
History & Algebra II
Mr. McMahon holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The University of Notre Dame. He spent seven years as a consultant and data analyst. Mr. McMahon has previously worked in youth ministry and homeless outreach in New York City. He now lives in Rochester and attends Peace of Christ Parish.
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.
BA - Spanish with a Minor in Secondary Education at Andes University, Bogota, Colombia
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.
Mr. Dylan Bufkin
Literature, Writing Seminar & Latin
After falling in love with Shakespearean drama, Mr. Bufkin studied English literature, as well as history, at Mississippi State University. Concluding a year of discernment as a diocesan seminarian, he then taught junior high English at a parochial school in his native Nashville, Tennessee. Most recently, Mr. Bufkin went to study at the Augustine Institute to hone his craft in the classroom and better immerse himself in the Catholic educational tradition. His time on campus now finished, he is ready to discover the beauty of words, whether in themselves or in the meaning they carry, with his students.
Mr. Kurt Griffen
Drama
Mr. Griffin runs Chesterton's drama productions. 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.
BA - Religion/Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College
Masters of Divinity from Northeastern Seminary
Masters in History at SUNY Brockport
Mr. John Magee
Latin
As an adjunct faculty member, Mr. Magee teaches Latin II to freshmen at Chesterton Academy. After a career in communications, marketing, and advertising, serving on creative teams for organizations and educational institutions, he joined St. John Bosco Schools in 2022, where he now teaches Latin full-time. He lives in Rochester with his wife and three children.
BA - English Literature at SUNY Geneseo
MS - Public Relations at Syracuse University
Certificate of Basic Ecclesiastical Latin Language Proficiency at the Veterum Sapientia Institute (expected in 2027)
Mr. Peter Weeg
Art
Miss Meghan Murphy
Biology
Miss Murphy graduated from Walsh University in 2026 with bachelor's degrees in Biology and 7-12 Integrated Science Education, as well as minors in English and Environmental Science. She attended St. John Bosco Schools and Chesterton Academy of Rochester for her primary and secondary education and is excited to return to her alma maters.
Mrs. Audrey Lester
Theology & Algebra I
Mrs. Lester will be teaching Theology, Algebra 1, and assisting with campus ministry. She is recently married and currently finishing her M.A. in Catholic Education through the Augustine Institute’s ‘Teachers for Christ’ program by teaching and completing the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE)’s certification program. She looks forward to sharing the fruits of her education and experience with the community in Rochester.
B.A. - Theology and Political Science (Visual Arts, Psychology, and the Core Texts and Enduring Questions Program minors) at Assumption University
M.A. - Catholic Studies at The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul
M.A. (in progress) - Catholic Education at The Augustine Institute
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