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.”
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.
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.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Rachel was blessed to be born into a large Catholic family, where she was raised to love the faith and live it in her daily life. Her family is very musically gifted, and Rachel received training from a very young age in voice, recorder, piano, and organ. She began her musical career singing with her siblings at home and in church choirs. At the age of 11 she joined Ecclesia Consort of New England. Rachel's love for music grew through her teenage years, and it was her obvious choice to continue her musical studies in College. She graduated from Rhode Island College in 2021 with a degree in Music Performance, graduating summa cum laude. Rachel is currently the music director at Church of St Mary on Broadway in Providence RI, where she runs a thriving music program. She also performs regularly with Ensemble Altera, a professional vocal Ensemble based in Providence. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys going for bike rides or long walks, and enjoying the restaurants and scenery of New England with her family and friends.
Born and Raised on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island, Christin comes from a homeschooling family that shared and celebrated their Catholic values every day. Her love of Art began as a young child where she could often be found sitting for hours sketching and painting. After graduating from Magdalen College in Warner, NH with a B.A. in Great Books and a B.A. in Graphic Design from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, she went on to work as a Graphic Designer for a Chicago Marketing Firm, Media Arts Freelancer, and Floral Designer. Christin is excited to inspire and share her love of Great Books and Art with the hopes of sparking imagination and wonder in the Students of Chesterton Academy. In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with family and friends, practicing art and music, designing interiors, and doing various outdoor activities.
Catherine a someone who finds joy in laughter and believes in the power of volunteering. Married and blessed with four grown children, her life is woven with family, friends and faith.
In her community, Catherine is a familiar face at various events. From volunteering at coffee hour in her parish to offering support in hospice care, she has embraced the philosophy that giving back enriches both the giver and the receiver.
Outside her commitments, Catherine finds solace at the ocean. From swimming to watching the waves crash on the beach, she finds it rejuvenates her spirit.
