Mr. Thomas Thoits was raised in northern California, attending a classical, Catholic high school in Napa. He studied English literature at the University of Dallas, where he met his future wife, a history major and native of Louisiana. He went on to earn his MA in English literature at Louisiana State University. In 2005, Mr. Thoits joined Veritas Prep, the founding academy in the Great Hearts network of classical schools based in Arizona. Over the years, Mr. Thoits has taught high school Humane Letters seminars, reading, discussing, and writing about classic works of literature and philosophy. He has developed curriculum, led network-wide faculty seminars, mentored and coached teachers in classical practices and pedagogy, serving as assistant headmaster at Veritas. Mr. Thoits believes that the fulfillment of a classical education is a personal encounter with Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, and that this encounter needs to be sacramental as well as intellectual. He is passionate about the Catholic Church’s historical role in shaping classical, liberal education and excited to support the mission of Chesterton Academy as headmaster.

thomas.thoits@chestertonacademyofannapolis.org

Born in Colorado and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Mr. Arendt’s homeschooled childhood was filled with continuous wonder at the world. Although his first intellectual love was physics, he became enamored with philosophy after taking an introductory course at a local community college, and decided to attend St. John’s College in Annapolis to study the Great Books of Western Civilization. There, he had a decisive encounter with the Bible and with giants of the Christian intellectual tradition–especially St. Augustine and Dante–and by senior year was baptized into the Catholic Church. For the past two years, he has worked to give back some of the rich liberal education he received by teaching a 3rd grade classical homeroom centered on the Middle Ages at St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, MD. Outside of teaching, Mr. Arendt is often found running in nature, playing guitar, learning languages, and most of all, reading. He is excited to share with his Chesterton students his love of liberal education and the Catholic intellectual tradition, and to seek with them the rich ways faith and reason illuminate each other, in the humanities and the sciences.

Providentially, Mrs. Caudill discovered classical Christian education just before beginning to homeschool her children. Loving the nature of their studies so much, she enrolled in a program dedicated to reading classic texts and earned a master’s degree in Classical Christian Studies from New Saint Andrews College. During her time at NSA, she first encountered and was most influenced by the writings of Augustine, Gregory of Nazianzus, Bonaventure, and Flannery O’Connor. She continues to be their student. Along with their writings, she also studied Latin and Latin pedagogy and learned to respect its order, rhythm, and impact on English. Prior to her foray into classical education, she earned a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park and worked for a firm in D.C. She has traveled through several parts of Italy, sketching a bit of its character along the way. She keeps a half-tamed potager garden and tries to live outside as much as possible.

Dr. Juan Dopico received his Ph.D. in Classics from Johns Hopkins University in 2023, a M.A. in Classics from Washington University in St. Louis in 2015, and double majored in Classics and Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. He continues to teach classics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and has taught Latin and Spanish for two years at Parish Episcopal in Dallas, Texas and one year at Oneness Family Montessori School in Kensington, Maryland.

Born into a Latin American Catholic household, Dr. Dopico always found interest in the mass, its liturgy, and the faith in general. While attending public high school, Dr. Dopico found himself studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Bible, and the Church history to share the faith with his peers. At university, he grew an appreciation for the Latin mass, was an altar server at Vanderbilt, and revitalized the Baltimore Frassati Group, a Eucharistic oriented organization, for young adults in Baltimore. There, he led Bible studies and patristic readings using his skills in Classics.

Outside of the Classics, he enjoys playing fútbol (soccer), chess, video games, watching Japanese Manga and Anime, and, most of all, spending time with his family. Dr. Dopico is excited and very happy to join the Chesterton Academy. He cannot wait to share the Truth of the Catholic Faith, Latin, and the Classics with the students and as we all grow in our Faith.

Mr. Gunderson grew up in Catonsville, MD, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. It was during his time there that he converted to the Catholic Church, a journey significantly influenced by the writings of G.K. Chesterton. After various work experiences in the industrial technology industry, he transitioned his focus to the mission of Catholic education. Mr. Gunderson loves exploring the wonders of God's creation through mathematics and science, yet his intellectual curiosity extends across the entire curriculum. He believes in fostering a cohesive learning environment where all the academic disciplines are unified by the Truth of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. For Mr. Gunderson, the cultivation of wonder through direct engagement with reality forms the foundation of true learning. Outside of teaching, he enjoys playing sports, hiking, fishing, playing guitar, and reading. Mr. Gunderson is excited to join the Chesterton community and share his love of learning with the students.

Mr. Hartman received his B.A. in Politics with a minor in History from The Catholic University of America. There, he enjoyed a wonderful broad liberal arts curriculum, but even more importantly also met his wife, Claire, who was already teaching at Chesterton by the time they were married in the summer of 2023. A Maryland native of sorts, Mr. Hartman also spent much of his childhood and early adulthood abroad with his military family. His personal favorite areas of study include the theology of the incarnation and creation, patristics, the history of early-modern Europe, and political philosophy. Outside of teaching, he shares a special love for sacred music, theater of all kinds, poetry, southern gothic literature, and his newborn son, Judah. Mr. Hartman feels blessed to share his faith, enthusiasm for learning, and love of the liberal arts with his Chesterton students and the broader community.

Ms. Jordan Kammeyer graduated with her B.A. from the Great Books Program at St John’s College (Annapolis). Before joining CAA, she completed a nine-month mission with Con-solatio in Transylvania, Romania, radically following Christ through a ministry of presence to impoverished Roma (gypsy) families, lonely elderly people, and whomever God puts in her path. The focus of the mission is friendship—since as St. Thomas says, “caritas est amicitia”—and is made possible through the constant grace of a full prayer and community life. She calls the Berkshires of Massachusetts home, where her unique education included arts-focused Waldorf school, unschooling, Shakespeare theater training, and Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschooling and led to her deep interest in holistic education rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness. She has been a contra dance caller for eight years and has called for dance series, weddings, and camps all over New England, Maryland, and Europe. She is so excited to continue her personal education in faith, hope, and love with the community of CAA, teaching art, drama, and literature.

Miss Miller earned her B.A. in Great Books from Belmont Abbey College, where she was a member of the Honors College. Her studies immersed her in the richness of the Western tradition, and she was deeply involved in the arts—writing, acting in, and directing plays/musicals, as well as singing and playing both guitar and piano. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, Lily was raised in a homeschooling family, which instilled in her a strong foundation in classical education. That early formation sparked a desire to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty—a desire that has only deepened through her academic and artistic pursuits. Inspired especially by the works of the Inklings and Evelyn Waugh, Miss Miller is delighted to be able to guide young minds to discover the same wonder in education that deeply influenced her own intellectual and spiritual life.

Mr. Medelius has an B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis. It is there that he picked up his Catholic faith for the first time in his adult life, and he was inspired especially by the works of Aristotle in this journey to finding God. He believes that by wondering at any subject of study and studying it with a humble appreciation and faith one can find contemplation in God. He enjoys seeing the different ways people glorify God through their committed study of diverse subjects at St. John’s College, and he is excited to bear witness to the same thing in the students at the Chesterton Academy. To the end of glorifying God in diverse ways, Mr. Medelius enjoys diverse hobbies such as woodworking, gardening, playing guitar, reading, acting, playing sports, singing, surfing, cooking, and hiking. Mr. Medelius is excited to share his knowledge of Spanish and to share in his students’ journeys to becoming young men and women made in the full image of Christ.

Mrs. Schiavone was raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, where she was involved in the performing arts and parish music ministry from a young age. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Grove City College and moved to Southern Maryland for her first teaching position as Director of Choral Activities at Patuxent High School, where she taught choir, guitar, and AP Music Theory. Her ensembles earned Superior Ratings and state festival recognition during her tenure.

After leaving the classroom following the birth of her first child, she opened a private music studio and continued teaching voice and piano to students of all ages. During this time, she also served as Director of Youth Choirs for the Southern Maryland Youth Choir and taught in local homeschool cooperatives.

In 2017, Mrs. Schiavone became Director of Music Ministry at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Beach, where she continues to serve today. Her approach to music education is rooted in the belief that music is a human inheritance meant to be carried beyond graduation, forming students who can participate fully in music in both daily life and sacred worship. She enjoys devotional and narrative writing, particularly on themes related to vocation and motherhood. She and her husband reside in northern Calvert County with their six children.

Lori Thoits was born and raised in southeastern Louisiana. Growing up, summer vacations were often spent immersed in history, traveling with her family to visit old houses, churches, and cemeteries. After high school, she attended the University of Dallas and Louisiana State University to study history and architecture; she graduated summa cum laude with a Master's degree in American history and surprised herself by converting to Catholicism to boot. Thinking that she would enjoy sharing her love of history with others, Mrs. Thoits then taught junior high and high school history, literature, and philosophy classes and developed history curricula for several years at a growing charter school network in Arizona. In addition, she has homeschooled (and continues to homeschool) each of her children through eighth grade. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading, baking, and exploring the world of fiber arts. Mrs. Thoits looks forward to delving into the past with Chesterton students this year!

Ms. McNulty’s love of literature began after her father agreed to give her one dollar for every book she read. Her love of reading flourished at Oakcrest School where she received a broad liberal arts education and exposure to the classics. Theresa went on to study literature at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she received her bachelor of arts degree. Her favorite authors include Leo Tolstoy and Willa Cather. Outside of work, Theresa enjoys cooking, playing the piano, and shockingly, reading.  Raised in a Catholic family in Virginia, faith has always been a priority in Theresa’s life. Through her work in the front office, she looks forward to helping students and family members grow in faith and community at the Chesterton Academy.

Kelly Blackman is the Director of Development.  Kelly grew up outside of Seattle, Washington where she completed both her bachelor and master level degrees. She holds a Masters in Teaching and is also a certified Educational Therapist specializing in assisting students with learning differences including ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

Kelly has lived in Maryland for the last 15 years after moving here because of her husband’s transfer within the Federal Government.  Kelly and her husband have two children.  When not at work, she enjoys volunteering at a community farm, going to the theater, and spending time with her children.    

Mrs. Hutchinson is retired Associate Professor of Wellness from the Community College of Baltimore County. She taught Health and Physical Education course, advised Physical Education majors and coached the volleyball and lacrosse teams with a high degree of success. Mrs. Hutchinson finished her career as the Department Chair of Wellness for CCBC. She retired from coaching at the college and coached her children’s teams through youth (soccer, basketball, lacrosse) and high school (volleyball, basketball, lacrosse). She looks forward to continuing coaching with her grandchildren and at Chesterton Academy of Annapolis.

Miss Blake grew up in Gaithersburg, MD and received a B.S. in Operations Management & Business Analytics and a B.S. in Information Systems from the University of Maryland at College Park. She converted to Catholicism during her time at the University of Maryland, after encountering the love of Jesus in the Eucharist. This love inspired her to serve as a full-time Catholic missionary on college campuses with FOCUS after graduation. As the Director of Admissions and Marketing, Miss Blake is looking forward to meeting with potential students and families to share more about the Christ-centered mission and vision of the Chesterton Academy.

Mike Feldtmose and his family live in Sherwood Forest Maryland. He is a parishioner at St. Mary’s Annapolis and a member of the KofC. He has been coaching youth sports for nearly twenty years focusing on soccer at the rec, county and travel levels. More recently, he coached junior level tennis (middle & high School) through the Baltimore Tennis Patrons’ Junior League. He holds several coaching and referee certifications and is a member of the National Alliance for Youth Sports which educates and trains coaches to be effective mentors and positive role models. He is an avid tennis player and is looking forward to coaching for Chesterton Academy of Annapolis tennis program.

Mrs. Daily graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and the University of Phoenix with a Masters of Business Administration. She comes to the Chesterton Academy of Annapolis after a 35-year career in Information Technology, Quality/Process Improvement and Program management followed by an unsuccessful attempt at early retirement. She is an active member of her Catholic faith community, teaching 1st grade religious education for over a decade and is the administrator for her parish's perpetual adoration oratory. She and her husband, Tom, have two young adult sons.