Dr. Duffy is a native Rhode Islander who graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 2009. He received a B.A. in Philosophy and Humanities from Villanova University and a PhD in Philosophy from Fordham University, and taught undergraduate courses at the same institutions. His academic and scholarly career is marked by many prestigious fellowships and honors. Most recently, he served as the assistant headmaster of a classical charter school in Austin, Texas.

"Students at Chesterton Academy will encounter the beauty and wonder of reality through a richly classical and Christ-centered education, one that fosters true friendship in the pursuit of wisdom and holiness,” said Dr. Duffy in a written statement. “I am excited to return to my home state of Rhode Island to serve as the founding headmaster.”

rduffy[at]chestertonri[dot]org

Michael and his wife Laurie have lived in Jamestown, Rhode Island for 30 years and are parents of 5 children and the grandparents of 4. Michael is a trustee at his local parish, St. Mark Church in Jamestown, RI. Michael received his B.S. in Resource Development and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island and started his own business which he sold in 2016. During his career, he helped start several businesses in industries which ranged from manufacturing to online marketing. In previous years, he has served on various boards including Magdalen College, The Mother of Life Center, and St. Edmund's Retreat Center. Mike brings a broad spectrum of skills which he hopes will help families who want a strong, Catholic, and classical education for their children.

mcasey[at]chestertonri[dot]org

Miss Rebecca Scheurer is from Templeton, Massachusetts, a small farm town in the northern part of the state. She graduated high school from Trivium School in Lancaster, MA. Between high school and college, Miss Scheurer took a year to work, during which time she spent a few weeks studying JPII's Theology of the Body in Poland. Among the many graces on that trip, Miss Scheurer decided to attend Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield, MA, from which she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. During college while on a trip as a Totus Tuus Missionary in Oklahoma, she discovered that she enjoyed instilling wonder about the good, true, and beautiful in young people, and so when she heard about the mission of the Chesterton Academies, she decided to help establish Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope in Rhode Island. In her free time, Miss Scheurer loves anything to do with the outdoors, especially hiking, making music with her nine younger siblings, and, of course, reading the great works of western civilization, especially St. Thomas Aquinas.

rscheurer[at]chestertonri[dot]org

Jerry Magaña grew up in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he was homeschooled for much of his education. After receiving his Associates Degree and working for several years as a network engineer, Jerry developed a deep love for truth, goodness, and beauty while studying theoretical mathematics for his Bachelor of Science at the University of North Georgia. This love led Jerry to complete a Masters degree in Mathematics from Arizona State University. Jerry has co-authored five papers in subjects including mathematical biology, quantum chemistry, and algebraic geometry.

While a graduate student, Jerry also taught full-time for a classical academy in Phoenix, where he taught Algebra for 8th grade and Calculus for 12th grade, and met his wife, Margaret, also a teacher there. Outside of academics, Jerry was a founding member of the Schola of St. Ephraim and an altar server at the ASU Newman Center. Jerry also served in the Porters of Saint Joseph, a church security ministry. Jerry is excited to start with Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope in 2024. He brings a deep love of the liberal arts and a profound conviction for the importance of human formation through education. At Chesterton, Jerry's courses will include Math, Science, and History.

jmagana[at]chestertonri[dot]org

Jennefer and her husband Robert live in Paxton, MA  and are the proud parents of their daughter, Isabella, who is a current Chesterton student. Jennefer is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has a BS in Microbiology. She worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry before transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom, then working full-time outside the home in retail management, all while homeschooling up through 8th grade. Prior to coming to Chesterton full-time, Jennefer worked as the secretary of her home parish in Worcester, MA. 

jnoberini[at]chestertonri[dot]org

Kateri and her husband Alex live in Johnston, RI with their son Mateo. They are expecting another child, due in July. Originally from Massachusetts, Kateri moved to Rhode Island shortly before getting married in 2022. She spent multiple years working in the financial industry while attending college, prior to working in the public school system. When Mateo was born, Kateri left education to be a stay-at-home mom, and shortly after was connected with the CAOLH community, and RI Right to Life, where she is also the Education Manager.

Ms. Callan took over as a long-term sub for Mrs. Magana when the Magana's welcomed their child. Ms. Callan graduated from Magdalen College, a Catholic Great Books college in New Hampshire, with a degree in Philosophy and Theology. Before teaching at Chesterton, Ms. Callan served as Director of Religious Education for a parish.

Elizabeth supports the marketing and development efforts of Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope. With experience in institutional advancement at Catholic schools and small non-profits, Elizabeth is excited to help Chesterton continue to grow and spread the joy of a Catholic, classical education. She holds degrees in theology and the humanities from Providence College.

Mrs. Duffy completed an MFA in painting at the Marchutz School of Fine Arts in France. She has participated in many art shows and sold her paintings which hang in private collections in several different countries. Mrs. Duffy has taught art to all grade levels, from 1st grade to high school, for several years at a classical school, as well as developed art curriculum and a teaching guide for art teachers. Mrs. Duffy also completed an MA in philosophy from KU Leuven in Belgium, focusing on Hans Urs von Balthasar and the nature of beauty. She received her BA in English and philosophy from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Kerin grew up in Rhode Island, where she was homeschooled before attending Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. It was at Benedictine where she met her husband and earned a B.S. in Exercise Science. Today, Kerin lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children. As a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom, she is passionate about fostering community, sharing stories, and celebrating the beauty of Classical education.

Margaret Magaña graduated high school in Coventry, Rhode Island, and then set out for four years of backpacking, speaking Latin, and immersion in the great philosophy, theology, literature, and art of Western Civilization at Wyoming Catholic College. After graduating, she spent two years teaching Latin at a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona. She met her husband in Phoenix, and is overjoyed to join Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope. At Chesterton, Margaret will teach across several subjects, including Latin, Literature, Philosophy, History, and Fine Arts. 

Mrs. Abigail Tardiff has a B.A. in the Liberal Arts and an M.A. in Philosophy. In addition to homeschooling her seven children, Mrs. Tardiff has 12 years' experience teaching high school English, Theology, and Philosophy. She regularly edits manuscripts for Ignatius Press. Mrs. Tardiff is excited to be part of the Chesterton community and teach classical philosophy and literature.

Mr. Charles Labbe is a geochemist who has also studied electrical engineering and mathematics. He is a lifelong learner, currently learning Latin and reading great works in his free time. While he currently works for the Warwick Sewer Authority, Mr. Labbe has also served as a high school chemistry teacher and as a substitute teacher in several other subjects. A devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Labbe lives with his wife in Rumford, RI.