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 35 years and has served as Headmaster/Principal in four previous schools, including most recently St. John Bosco Academy in Cottonwood, Idaho.
Teachers
Michael De Salvo
Theology and Philosophy
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 two children and is new to the Orlando area.
Caitlin Markle
Literature and 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.
Brian Herr
Math and 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, who also works at a nearby classical school, and the two are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child.
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.
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.
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.
Catherine Bross
Administrative Coordinator
Ms. Catherine “Cathe” Bross relocated to be with her family in FL. A former private equity real estate asset manager in NY, Ms. Bross oversees the administrative staff functions, business development, and the Divine Mercy Resource Ministry Center in her office suite at Chesterton.
In addition to her roles at Chesterton, Ms. Bross is a parishioner and faith formation catechist at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Oviedo. She also tutors her two grandsons in their Catholic faith formation and is devoted to her Divine Mercy Sisters bible study group. In her private time, Ms. Bross is a research genealogist.
A former chorister and classical guitarist, Ms. Bross also enjoys reading scriptures, walking nature trails, cooking, gardening, restoring antique furniture, vintage radio, varied genres of music, and classic movies. Ms. Bross volunteers and contributes philanthropically to many Catholic organizations and humanitarian causes serving the underserved in NY and FL.
“Be Not Afraid” is her favorite quote from Pope Saint John Paul the Great.