Each faculty and staff member at Chesterton Academy is a faithful Catholic who has taken an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Each has also undergone our safe environment requirements, including fingerprinting, Level 2 background check (state and federal), and VIRTUS safe environment training.
Jim Hickel
Headmaster
Mr. Hickel is the founding Headmaster of Chesterton Academy of Orlando. He was born and raised in Alaska along with his sixteen siblings.
He attended the College of Saint Mary Magdalen and received his B.A. in Liberal Arts, with an emphasis in Theology and Philosophy. He then received a Masters in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University.
He began teaching in 1980 to “help students learn how to learn, and to share the excitement and beauty of learning.”
He has been involved in Catholic education and administration for over 40 years and has served as Headmaster/Principal in four previous schools, including most recently St. John Bosco Academy in Cottonwood, Idaho.
Faculty
Cristian Caiola
Music/Choir
Mr. Caiola has spent much of his life steeped deeply in music and culture. Currently a Music Education student at the University of Central Florida as a member of the French Horn studio, he has performed with numerous world class ensembles. These include the Rollins Wind Symphony, the U.C.F. Symphonic Band, the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Brass Band of Central Florida.
In addition, he has been teaching local musicians of all ages since 2017 and serves as the Music Director at St. John Fisher Catholic Church.
Anna Campbell
Drama, Latin, Art History
Ms. Campbell received her B.A. in Humanities and Liberal Studies from Ave Maria University. Her minor is in Shakespeare in Performance.
While at Ave Maria University, she served as Assistant Stage Manager, actress, and dramaturge for the university's Shakespeare in Performance troupe.
She is excited to follow in the footsteps of her teachers by cultivating curiosity, creativity, and charity in her students.
She attends Mass and Young Adult Formation at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Her favorite saints are St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Thomas More.
Michael De Salvo
Theology, Philosophy, Math
Mr. De Salvo received his B.A. in Liberal Arts (summa cum laude) from Wyoming Catholic College and his M.A. in Theology (summa cum laude) from Ave Maria University. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Theology at Ave Maria University.
He has taught undergraduate Theology courses at Ave Maria University. From 2014-2015, he served as an inaugural faculty member at the Chesterton Academy of Chicago, teaching Old and New Testament, Ancient Literature, Latin, Science, and P.E. classes.
Michael is married with three children.
Emily Hernandez
Theology, History, Math, Science
Ms. Hernandez received her B.A in English from the University of Central Florida, with a minor in Religious Studies, and her M.A. in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
She has a Youth Ministry Certificate from Franciscan University and a Theology of the Body Certificate from the Theology of the Body Institute. She spent four years at a parish as the Youth Ministry Coordinator, preparing young people to receive their sacraments, and aiding the middle school religion teachers.
She attends Mass and Young Adult Formation at St. James Cathedral while volunteering with their Children's Faith Formation program.
Brian Herr
Math, Science
Mr. Herr graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.G.S. degree (Integrative General Studies).
Although he chose to devote most of his studies to Math and Economics, he also has a great love and admiration for music.
He is an active member at St. John Fisher Catholic Church and sings in the choir for Sunday Mass.
He is happily married to his wife Sarah, and the two recently welcomed their first child.
Caitlin Markle
Literature, History
Mrs. Markle received her B.A. in English (magna cum laude) from Franciscan University in Steubenville, with a minor in Philosophy, and her M.A. in Education from the University of Notre Dame.
She graduated through Notre Dame's A.C.E. (Alliance for Catholic Education) program, which offered a two-year fellowship that combined teaching in an under-resourced Catholic high school with a Master of Education degree.
She loves going to Eucharistic adoration and especially enjoys praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Matthew McCauley
Theology, Math, P.E.
Mr. McCauley received his B.A. in Anthropology (magna cum laude) from Southeast Missouri State, minoring in History and Spanish, and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Philosophical Studies for Missionary Discipleship through Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.
He spent two and a half years discerning the priesthood as a seminarian for the Diocese of Orlando, including six months living with the Franciscans of the Eucharist.
He now lives in a household of nine Catholic men united in a commitment to live out mission, and is involved in parish youth ministry. He is an Eagle Scout of BSA Troop 5 in Decatur, IL.
Aileen Peguero
Studio Art
Ms. Peguero graduated from the University of Central Florida, receiving her B.F.A. in Emerging Media via Experimental Animation with a minor in Creative Writing.
As a child, she developed a passion for drawing and visual storytelling. Despite having a background in animation, she values traditional art techniques and mediums.
She is an active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church and attends the young adult ministry there. She also likes to travel and occasionally visits her hometown in South Florida to catch up with family and friends.
Staff
Alexis Currier
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Alexis “Lexi” Currier recently moved to the Orlando area to be close to family and to engulf herself into a vibrant Catholic culture. She received a classical Catholic education growing up and is excited to promote that same gift at Chesterton Academy. She is also working her way towards a Business Administrative degree. A fun fact is that she was the first baby to be baptized at St. Helena of the True Cross in Corpus Christi, TX.
Monica Mora
Receptionist, Secretary
Mrs. Mora grew up in Quito, Ecuador. She has six sisters and one brother, and attended Universidad Central de Quito. After getting married, she moved to Florida where she took courses at Broward State College.
She was co-owner and administrator of a construction company for ten years, and afterwards worked for eleven years as liaison for Allegro Music, serving schools in Orange and Seminole counties.
She has been married for 43 years and has three sons and two daughters. She attends Most Precious Blood parish (Oviedo) where she serves as a greeter and a catechist in the children's faith formation program.