Chesterton Academy is blessed to have a talented and dynamic faculty dedicated to the vision and mission of our school. Each faculty and staff member takes the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium at the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the academic year. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, faculty at Chesterton Academy participate in the House System, which is designed to promote character and virtue.

Christopher Olley

Christopher Olley

Headmaster

Mr. Olley joined our staff in 2018. He oversees all fundraising, public relations, and community outreach for the school. Mr. Olley holds a Master of Arts in education from Viterbo College.

Dr. Dale Ahlquist

Dr. Dale Ahlquist

Humanities

Dr. Ahlquist is the co-founder of Chesterton Academy. He is also the President of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, creator and host of the EWTN series “G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense.”

Julian Ahlquist

Julian Ahlquist

Humanities

A founding faculty member of Chesterton Academy, Mr. Ahlquist has played a role in developing the school’s curriculum in history, philosophy and literature. He received his bachelor’s from Christendom College double majoring in theology and philosophy, graduating magna cum laude.

Laura Ahlquist

Laura Ahlquist

Fine Arts

Mrs. Ahlquist is a founding member of Chesterton Academy and helped develop the fine arts curriculum at Chesterton. She received her bachelor’s from Carleton College majoring in music. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Ahlquist also serves as our fine arts department head.

Lucas Berke

Lucas Berke

Math/Science

Mr. Berke is a graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Before joining our faculty, he served and taught at Chesterton Academy as a Teach for Christ missionary.

Sophia Berke

Sophia Berke

Math/Science

Mrs. Berke is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas where she earned her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and a minor in statistical mathematics. In 2018, she served at Chesterton Academy as a missionary with Teach for Christ. Mrs. Berke joined Chesterton Academy as a faculty member in 2019.

Tyler Blanski

Tyler Blanski

Director of Major Gifts

Mr. Blanski joined Chesterton Academy in the fall of 2021 as the Director of Major Gifts. He is a business owner, sales coach, published author, and former pastoral associate of a large parish. Mr. Blanski holds a Master of Divinity from Nashotah House Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College.

Alyssa Bormes

Alyssa Bormes

Humanities, Engagement Specialist

Miss Bormes is a founding faculty member at Chesterton Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and received a master’s degree in Catholic studies from the University of St. Thomas. In addition to teaching, she is a popular author, speaker, and radio host. She is also an Engagement Specialist for Chesterton Academy.

Jack Cassidy

Jack Cassidy

Engagement Specialist

Mr. Cassidy received his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Saint John’s University, where he was a vocal performance major and minored in German. Upon graduation, he was selected as one of two Saint John’s graduates to serve in the Benedictine Volunteer Corps and complete a year of service work in Barcelona. As Engagement Specialist, Mr. Cassidy supports recruitment and development. He also provides student support in Choir and Music. He joined Chesterton Academy in 2022.

Nick Chalmers

Nick Chalmers

Fine Arts

Mr. Chalmers earned his bachelor’s in music and history from St. Olaf College, and Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Mr. Chalmers is the Director of Choirs.

Katherine Champagne

Katherine Champagne

Spanish

Mrs. Champagne earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies from the University of Wisconsin in River Falls, as well as her master’s degree in Spanish from the Middlebury College Language Schools in Vermont. She has worked as a Spanish tutor for high school students and working professionals in Rhode Island and Ohio. Mrs. Champagne joined Chesterton Academy in 2022.

Dr. James Chastek

Dr. James Chastek

Humanities

Dr. Chastek graduated from Thomas Aquinas College, received an MA from Claremont Graduate University, and a Ph.L. and Ph.D. from the Pontifical University of Thomas Aquinas in Rome (The Angelicum). He joined the faculty of Chesterton Academy in 2010. Dr. Chastek is also our humanities department head.

John DeLozier

John DeLozier

Academic Dean & Director of Instruction

Mr. DeLozier earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and his master’s degree in education from the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program. Mr. DeLozier joined Chesterton Academy in 2022 after serving in a variety of teaching and coaching roles at middle and high schools in the Twin Cities and San Jose, California. He also serves as head wrestling coach for Chesterton Academy (through a co-op with Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School).

Thomas Finke

Thomas Finke

Humanities, Dean of Men

Mr. Finke graduated from Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in classical languages. He joined Chesterton Academy in 2018 and in addition to teaching, he is the Dean of Men.

Audrey Grant, Communications Coordinator

Audrey Grant

Communications Coordinator

Mrs. Grant joined Chesterton Academy as the Communications Coordinator in 2023. She brings five years of marketing experience from the finance and healthcare industries. She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and accounting.

Mara Hertelendy

Mara Hertelendy

Humanities

Mrs. Hertelendy has a Bachelor of Arts in both Italian and Chinese, as well as a Master of Arts in Chinese. She joined our faculty in 2018, and teaches Italian to our juniors and seniors.

Timothy Jones

Timothy Jones

Fine Arts

Mr. Jones developed the fine arts curriculum upon joining the faculty in 2012. He has a master’s degree in fine art, and is an award-winning painter in regional, national, and international competitions. He is also a member of the both the Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society.

Patrick Lechner

Patrick Lechner

Humanities

Mr. Lechner received his bachelor’s in Catholic studies and English from the University of St. Thomas. He joined Chesterton Academy in 2018.

Lydia Lei

Lydia Lei

Humanities

Mrs. Lei is a graduate of Wyoming Catholic College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. She received her master’s in art history at the University of St. Thomas. She joined the faculty in 2013.

Caroline Metzinger

Caroline Metzinger

Fine Arts, Dean of Student Life, Safe Environment Coordinator

Mrs. Metzinger joined the Chesterton Academy fine arts department in 2018. She studied music at Queensland University of Technology with a major in classical voice and a minor in jazz voice. She is the Dean of Student Life, Assistant Choir Director, Assistant Drama Teacher and Environment Coordinator.

Brad Mitchell, Director of Finance

Brad Mitchell

Director of Finance

Mr. Mitchell serves as the Director of Finance at Chesterton Academy. Prior to joining, Mr. Mitchell gained extensive experience in accounting, tax, and business affairs through 15 years in public accounting. He earned a Master of Accountancy from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University. 

Jeff Mitchell

Jeff Mitchell

Director of Admissions & Recruitment

Mr. Mitchell joined Chesterton Academy’s in April 2022 as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment. Jeff also works as a Vice President in retail leasing and brokerage at Hoyt Properties, where he consults clients in tenant and landlord representation, purchasing buildings, and land acquisition. His 20+ years of experience in the commercial real estate industry has given him a demonstrated ability to clearly define and relentlessly pursue goals, and to foster and enhance relationships with our prospective and current families.

Lisa Rogers

Lisa Rogers

Director of Operations

Mrs. Rogers joined Chesterton Academy in 2017 as Director of Operations. Prior to this, she worked for twenty years at the Church of St. Raphael in many capacities.

Fr. Timothy Sandquist

Fr. Timothy Sandquist

Chaplain

Father Sandquist was ordained in the spring of 2017. He is a member of the Companions of Christ, a fraternity of diocesan priests and seminarians in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In addition to serving as our chaplain, he is the Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park.

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