Faculty & Staff Directory

Ismael Rodríguez
Founding Headmaster

Mr. Rodríguez received his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Since returning from Rome, he taught theology at a Catholic high school in Dallas, Texas, and served as an adjunct instructor of theology at Saint Louis University.

Mr. Rodríguez is a native of Dallas. Following undergraduate studies in history and psychology at Stephen F. Austin University, Mr. Rodríguez received an M.A. in History from the University of North Texas and spent two years as a FOCUS missionary working with college students at campuses in Minnesota. During his time as a FOCUS missionary, he discerned a call to enter seminary. 

As a seminarian of the Diocese of Dallas, he studied Philosophy at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota before beginning his theology work at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After leaving seminary, he completed his degree at the Pontifical Gregorian University and spent a further year living and working in Rome.

Mr. Rodríguez, his wife, Ali, and their children are excited to be part of the Catholic community in the Diocese of Columbus. He is teaching philosophy, history, and Latin for the 2025-26 school year at Chesterton Academy of St. Benedict.

  • Rachel Kloess

    THEOLOGY

    Mrs. Kloess is a Columbus native thrilled to return and help to build up classical education in her home Diocese. She earned a B.A. in English from Otterbein University, an M.A. in Theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture from the Augustine Institute, and an M.T.S. in Biblical Studies at the University of Notre Dame. She married her husband John, whom she met at the Augustine Institute. She is excited to bring her passion for and knowledge of Scripture, "the very soul of sacred theology" (Dei Verbum 24) to Chesterton Academy students.

  • Adam Landry

    SCIENCE AND HISTORY

    Mr. Landry earned a B.A. in Biology, a minor in History and a minor in Theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and an M.A. in Biological Sciences with a focus on fisheries at Eastern Illinois University. He worked as a contracted fisheries research technician for the United States Geological Survey’s Lake Erie Biological Station in Huron, Ohio. Mr. Landry has also served as a full-time missionary with Urban Encounter Ministries in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio.

  • Ava Quaale

    LITERATURE & DRAMA

    Miss Quaale has been passionate about the dramatic arts since a young age, and earned a B.A. in Theatre with a performance concentration from Franciscan University of Steubenville while earning a minor in British and American Literature. She is an avid fan of William Shakespeare and Jean Baptist Molière. She is eager to share with Chesterton Academy students the joys of storytelling as both their teacher and theatre director.

  • Shannon Rechnitzer

    ART

    Mrs. Rechnitzer earned a B.A. in Multi-Age Visual Arts Education from the University of Findlay. Her career in education has always been focused on meeting the needs of each type of learner. She has taught Art in both elementary and high school settings, and also assisted college students in a student services role. Mrs. Rechnitzer has a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as well as our Blessed Mother and is excited to help the students of Chesterton Academy recognize the connection of art and beauty to God, our Creator. Each one of us is truly God’s own masterpiece. 


  • Stephen Smith

    MUSIC

    Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance from Heidelberg University (2016) while playing as an All-American honored football team member as a kicker and punter. He earned his Master’s in Organ Performance and Sacred Music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (2019) while serving as an Associate Instructor of Piano to undergraduate musicians, and was a faculty member for the Jacobs Sacred Music Intensive Conference and Pre-College academies. He was the Director of Liturgical Music for the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. Mr. Smith is an active composer and arranger with a special emphasis on accessible music for choirs and congregations.

  • Kathy Stroop

    MATH

    Loving math from childhood, Mrs. Stroop earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee, where she met her husband, Matthew. Mrs. Stroop was an IT consultant for five years before the Lord blessed their family with five children. After founding and leading a homeschooling co-op, Mrs. Stroop and her husband were drawn to classical education for their family. Mrs. Stroop earned a certificate as a Master Teacher through the CiRCE Institute Apprenticeship. She is currently a student of the Tirocinium Latinum.