Faculty & Staff

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. 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.