Faculty & Staff
Rocco Galizio has a long history in both teaching and formation. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2007, he fell in love with the educational charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross and entered a period of discernment. Leaving the seminary to seek his true vocation elsewhere, he went on to work at Holy Cross College in the Campus Ministry and Residential Life Offices before moving back home to his native Akron, Ohio, where he worked with students from pre-school to eighth grade programs. During this time, he discovered the writings of GK Chesterton through his local Chesterton Society chapter and was introduced soon thereafter to the Chesterton Schools Network.
Realizing the need for such an apostolate in his own community, Rocco gathered like-minded families and individuals to help bring Classical Catholic Education to the greater Akron area.
Rocco G. Galizio | Founder & Headmaster
Terry Tolson | Executive Director
Claire Carano | Assistant to the Headmaster
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Claire Carano is an Akron native with a love for what is old yet timeless – dead languages, books with gold filigree, Baroque and choral music, handcrafted works of art, and most especially the Mass. She earned her associate of science in 2015 and her BA in Chemistry with a minor in Classical Studies in 2018 from the University of Akron. She gained nearly ten years of experience in administrative work in various educational and parochial settings before joining the staff at Chesterton Academy of Akron in 2024.
Claire Ertle | Faculty
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In imitation of St. Therese of Lisieux, Mrs. Ertle has a passion for finding God’s Hand in the little moments of everyday. She graduated from Walsh University in 2023 with a degree in Middle Childhood Education, a minor in Theology, and a goal of sharing the richness of the Catholic Faith with her students. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Ertle enjoys spending time with her loved ones, spending time in God’s creation, and working on creative writing projects.
Diane Mellody | Drama
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Watching young people transform on stage into their roles, gaining confidence, self esteem, and finding the gifts they never knew they had is why Mrs. Mellody is a director. Before retiring, she directed St. Francis de Sales teens in Spring plays and musicals for twenty years. After "retiring", she began directing students at Chesterton Academy and St. Thomas More in Spring and Fall plays. It seems God had other plans, and it is with great joy that she is here.
Jim Mellody | Mathematics
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Father Pfeiffer was ordained on May 16, 2009 by Bishop Richard Lennon, serving first as the parochial vicar at Saint Sebastian, and then Saint Augustine before being assigned as the pastor of Saint Paul in February 2014. A member of the local Chesterton Society, he has also been a major supporter for bringing a Chesterton Academy to Akron, Ohio.
Rev. Matthew Pfeiffer | Pastor of St. Paul Parish
Brooke Roberts | Dean of Admissions & Student Life
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Brooke Roberts prefers the quieter, greener spaces of the world, particularly her garden, where she fosters a slower pace, cherishing good food and cheer among her favorite people. Her childlike curiosity, Tookish spirit, and affinity for reading have led her on many adventures both in imagination and across many countries. With degrees from Kent State University in English Literature and German Literature and over twenty years of teaching experience, she excels in guiding students to an appreciation of classical literature while developing their self-expression, critical thinking skills, and wit, all to the glory of God.
Judy Schwager | Music
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Judy Schwager is a graduate of Saint John’s University (Collegeville, MN) and Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) with degrees in Liturgical Music and Music Education. She has in the past been a church music director. Currently Judy's areas of musical interest are choral/vocal instruction, Gregorian Chant, liturgical chanting in any rite, and spreading the truth that everyone can learn to sing! Outside of church and school music work, Judy enjoys hiking in the Metroparks, drinking coffee and plain water, learning about the spiritual and artistic traditions of cultures from around the world, snuggling with her cats, and exploring the intersection of spirituality with daily lived experience rooted in art, music, and a sense of the miraculous.
Carey Steele | Faculty
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Bringing the Ancient world of the Bible to life and sharing with students God's great plan of salvation and love for us has been a passion for Carey Steele for 32 years. A native of Ohio, (and inspired by Indiana Jones), she obtained a BA in Theology from Wheeling Jesuit College and MA in theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Both degrees specialized in Biblical Studies. She had the rare opportunity to volunteer at the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology while working on her Master's degree, with dreams of being a Biblical Archaeologist. After graduating, she taught at Elizabeth Seton Highschool in Maryland and Walsh University's Ideal program. Her love of history extends beyond the Ancient world to the time of the Underground Railroad and Abolition in Ohio. She has been a local historian for 23 years, researching and identifying homes and people who sacrificed everything to end slavery. In the years between formally teaching at schools, she has homeschooled her four children and included them on many adventures including dusty attics, a hidden stair case, and finally solving 180 year old mysteries.
Marty VanDevere | Faculty
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Marty VanDevere's career history is Chestertonian in nature, reflecting the multi-disciplinary character of a classical, liberal arts education. He gained fourteen years of teaching experience in various institutions, three years selling life insurance, and six years of selling art manufacturing equipment before joining the faculty at Chesterton Academy of Akron. When he is not teaching, Marty enjoys spending time with family and making his coworkers laugh with his dry wit.
Board Members
Rocco Galizio | President
Terry Tolson | Vice President
Michael Saltis | Secretary
Ivan Ortiz | Board Member
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS:
Christine Ortiz | Board Member
Rev. Matthew Pfeiffer | Board Member