Instructors
Mrs. Angela Belanger
Five in a Row (5/6), Literature
Angela Belanger has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland. She has homeschooled her two elementary aged children for the past five years. Their homeschool journey has been especially nature inspired with lots of outdoor time. In a former life, Angela served for six years as a member of the Maryland Air National Guard and supported the Air Force as a defense contractor where she met her husband, Vince. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Korean food and taking road trips with her children. She is excited for her first year of teaching at CHRSM.
Mr. Mattias Caro
High School History Classes
Mr. Mattias A. Caro, Esq. is a parishioner of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, together with his wife Katheryn and their four children. Mr. Caro graduated with an undergraduate degree in History from the College of William and Mary and obtained his master’s degree in Moral Theology from Christendom College and his Juris Doctorate from George Mason University.
Mr. Caro began his teaching career over 20 years ago at the American School in Switzerland (TASIS). His educational experience includes working as the Director of Admissions for the Educational Initiative for Central and Eastern Europe (based out of Vienna, Austria), as Director of Religious Education at his childhood parish of Saint Catherine of Siena (in Great Falls, Virginia) and together with his wife, as part of the founding leadership team of Good Shepherd School (in Purcellville, VA), where he designed the school’s curriculum and operations during its founding.
He has taught for the past ten years at the Well-Trained Mind Academy, where he serves as the chair of the History and Electives Department. In addition to teaching, Mr. Caro maintains a small legal practice focusing primarily on Estate Planning and supporting local Catholic non-profit educational and charitable organizations.
Mr. Kris Daniel
Intro to Electrical Work
Kris is a master electrician, licensed contractor, and an entrepreneur. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and received a bachelor's degree in political science from California State University, Chico. He began his career in fundraising at an energy policy non-profit in Washington D.C., followed by recruiting for government contractors in Northern Virginia.
In the summer of 2020, Kris decided to take the leap of a midlife career change. He left his desk job to train to become an electrician. Kris worked as an apprentice at MC Dean and later as a journeyman electrician for Reddick & Sons. Kris launched his company, Daniel Electric, in July 2023 after receiving his master electrician's license. He serves Northern Virginia area residents with white collar professionalism and is passionate about passing down his knowledge of the electrical trade to the next generation. He lives in Purcellville with his wife and office manager, Elise, and their three children.
Mrs. Linda Davidson
Literature
This is Linda's first year at CHRSM and she's very happy to be here! She homeschooled her eldest son from kindergarten through 8th grade, and he is now in college. She currently homeschools her youngest son, a 9th grader, who attends CHRSM. After receiving a BA in English, Linda traveled to the UK where she earned a master's degree in Creative Writing. Back in the USA, Linda taught English to high school and elementary students in public and online schools for many years. She is a singer-songwriter and currently writes and records original music.
Mrs. Carol Dindinger
Art
As a lifelong art enthusiast, I have spent years honing my craft and continuing my education in various art mediums. For more than 25 years, I’ve enjoyed working with young people, teaching them how to paint, draw, sculpt, and approach various forms of art in camps, classroom settings, and in private
lessons.
In my retirement, I enjoy working at my church and spending time with my family including 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and working with young people and adults to further a love of art in all its forms.
Mr. Bret Ewin
Computer Science & Programming
Bret Ewin has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, and over the past twenty five years has gained an extensive amount of experience in a variety of software systems, in both the public and private sectors.
Bret has a passion for “STEM” and feels called to serve and prepare Christians—both students and parents—to be technically relevant in the professional world. Our country has a heritage of Christian innovators, and he hopes to encourage and equip our homeschoolers to follow in those footsteps.
Bret is a father to six and lives in rural Loudoun with his awesome wife, Karen, their three youngest kids, and an ever-changing host of animals. In his free time, you can find him working on some project or another, mostly having to do with electronics and fabrication, which, as it turns out, both overlap with software in many unexpected ways.
Mr. Michael Galdo
Music Theory
Michael Galdo has been teaching music for over twenty years. His experience includes private piano and organ instruction and elementary, middle, and high school music classes, as well as choir leadership in church and school settings. Michael has degrees from the University of Virginia and Catholic University.
Mrs. Catherine Gilanshah
Free Market Economics
I am first a follower of Jesus Christ! Second, I’ve been married to my amazing husband, Bijan, for 25 years. I am honored to be the mom of four wonderful “children”, ranging from 23 to 16. I am passionate about homeschooling and believe that this is God’s provision, allowing us to fulfill Scriptural mandates such as Deuteronomy 11:19 and and Psalm 1:1-3. In addition to homeschooling our four kids for nineteen years, I’ve enjoyed serving in various roles supporting homeschool enrichment activities like Loudoun Homeschool Soccer, American Heritage Girls and Loudoun County Patriots Basketball. In my spare time, I absolutely love to garden—flowers and veggies, especially spicy peppers for my husband who eats nothing without jalapeños! I love spending time with family, watching basketball and doing pretty much anything outside.
In my former life, a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…I was an economist! I majored in Economics at Hillsdale College, where I earned my B.A., studied abroad for a year, and then, by God’s grace and with lots of his help, completed my Masters and PhD in Economics from George Mason University. Along the way, I taught for a semester at Hillsdale College and at George Mason University. I am appalled that anyone could think economics is boring and make it my goal to fix that misconception whenever I encounter it!
Mrs. Nan Gingras
8th Grade Confirmation 2024-25, Yearbook
My name is Nan Gingras. I am a graduate from Towson State University with a degree in early childhood education. After graduation, I worked for 2 years in a day care for the 3 and 4 year old classroom. I did not get into the school system since my husband was in the Air Force and we moved quite a bit . So my husband and I started our family and I became a stay at home mom and have home schooled our 9 children to or through high school.
My three youngest children attend CHRSM. I have 7 grandchildren, 3 who will be attending CHRSM next year.
Mrs. Elisabeth Grys
Kingdom Kids
Elisabeth Grys attended University of Buffalo and attained dual diplomas in Government and History. After college, she taught four years of preschool at the Jewish Community Center. This taught her many of the customs which Jesus grew up practicing, which helped her dive deeper into the Catholic Faith. When Elizabeth moved to Virgina, she continued teaching preschool for another 3 years.
Elizabeth is a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales and has three children who attend CHRSM. She has been homeschooling for 3 years and is excited to be teaching Kingdom Kids!
Mrs. Tonianne Hall
Elementary & Middle School Social Studies Classes
Tonianne Hall is an early childhood educator and homeschooling mom who loves teaching through meaningful learning experiences. She received her Bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a minor in history from Stonehill College. Tonianne taught in Fairfax County Public Schools for six years prior to staying home to raise her two children. She has a passion for history, traveling, and spending time with her family.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Mrs. Hannah Heitz
Human Anatomy & Physiology
I am extremely excited to be teaching this year at CHRSM. I grew up in England and graduated from Bristol University, UK with a bachelor of medicine and surgery. I have years of experience teaching a wide range of science classes at the high school level. I love being able to apply my clinical experience and bring real-life application to the topic of study. Studying science and the intricacies of life display our Creator’s truly perfect and matchless majesty.
My husband and I moved to Virginia in 2017 and we have three precious girls. I homeschooled my children for a few years which was such a blessing for our family. My two oldest are now attending Cornerstone Christian Academy and we are regular attendees of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg. I am excited to get to know the families at CHRSM and share my love of the sciences.
Mrs. Jaclyn Jenkins
Homesteading, Public Speaking
Jaclyn Jenkins is a native to Western Loudoun, married her high school sweetheart from Loudoun Valley, and now raises her 4 children on One Day Farm in Hamilton. She earned two bachelor degrees from College of Charleston, SC, Business Management & Hospitality Management. After working for Great Country Farms for a few years, she developed a passion for farming and opened a nature preschool program at her home called Farm School. After 5 years of teaching preschoolers about farm animals, growing fruits and vegetables, and getting them ready for kindergarten, she has expanded that program to amazing homesteading classes for her older children. She wanted them to know where their food comes from and now grinds her own flour to make breads and pastas, uses raw milk to make yogurt, cheese, and ice cream, and even teaches them how to process meat. She is excited to share her knowledge with others so that they can learn to respect and eat healthy foods and hopes they will One Day have their own farm.
Mrs. Sara Jones
High School Math Classes
Mrs. Jones graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Education, Biology and Mathematics. She taught in the school system in Michigan and Texas before the arrival of her three children. While homeschooling her own children, Mrs. Jones has continued to share her passion for God’s creation through classes offered to the homeschool community. She has served the homeschool community both in tutoring and teaching classes for 20+ years. Not only does she have an incredible understanding of high school math, but she is also well versed in what the college level coursework expects. She helps shape our students for long term math success from Algebra through Pre Calculus. She has had a clear calling to serve and nurture our homeschool community and the families that have dedicated themselves to this calling.
Dr. Nick Lebish
Salvation History
Dr. Nicholas Lebish was born and raised in sunny California where he developed a love for the great outdoors and their magnificent Creator. He studied History and Western Religions at San Diego State University where, after a conversion experience, he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church from Evangelical Protestantism. After graduation, Nicholas sold his possessions and moved to Rome for graduate studies in Philosophy and Theology in Italian. In addition to living in Italy, he had the good fortune to live and study in Ireland, England, and Germany and to travel throughout Europe and the Middle East. His greatest blessing was meeting his wife in Rome while they were both pursuing graduate studies, and now they are happily raising their three children.
Dr. Lebish holds a double doctorate in Ministry and Education and has been working in both fields his entire professional life. He most recently held the position of Director for the Lay Division of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado. Currently, he serves as the founding Director of the Catholic Biblical School in the stunning Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. His website is ScriptureAndTradition.com.
Mrs. Patsy Long
Elementary PE
Patsy Long is a mother of 7 and has been part of the homeschool community for 25 years. She graduated cum laude from Mt. St. Mary's University where she received a BS in Biology. She was an avid cross country and track & field athlete in high school & college, and continued running post collegiately, ranking in the top 10 in the Washington Metro area for a number of years. These experiences with physical fitness allowed her to engage in a self-study of sorts, investigating various workout/nutrition plans that were optimal for success. In 2003, Patsy and her husband founded St. Sebastian Striders a coop/track program for grades K-8. Patsy found she loved working with youth and seeing the character formation that developed through their hard work and dedication on the track, as well as, their excitement as they discovered their unique God-given abilities. She has been coaching for 20 years first with St. Sebastian Striders, then NOVA Athletic Club, Leesburg Christian School, and currently the wonderful people at St. Sebastian Academy. Patsy has been blessed to coach hard working athletes to the state, regional, and national levels. She has received certifications both as an NSPA physical fitness instructor and a USATF Level 1 Coach. Patsy is a parishioner at Our Lady of Hope and lives in Sterling, VA with her beloved children and husband of 33 years. Patsy loves the teaching aspect of coaching and is excited to share her knowledge of physical fitness with the terrific students at CHRSM. She is thrilled to be part of the amazing CHRSM team.
Miss Theresa Long
Physical Education
Theresa ran XC & track in elementary, middle school, high school, and college where she earned a scholarship to Mt. St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD. At the Mount, Theresa led her team to a 2nd place finish at the NEC Cross Country Championships placing 3rd individually and earning All-Conference honors in the process. Theresa also helped her team to a 2nd place finish at the NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships anchoring the 4 x 800 m relay to a 2nd place finish, placing 3rd in the 1500, and scoring in the 5000 m run. Theresa’s time in the 1500 at the conference championships earned her a spot on the Mt. St. Mary’s Top 10 All Time list in that event. In the fall of 2021, Theresa transferred to Ave Maria University. In her first season for the Gyrenes, Theresa placed 2nd in the Sun Conference XC Championships leading her team to a 2nd place finish overall. Theresa was named Sun Conference Athlete of the Week and Newcomer of the Year. Theresa then went on to represent Ave Maria at the National Championships in Vancouver, Washington. In her senior year, she finished strong, competing three times at Nationals in all three seasons (XC, indoor, and outdoor) and winning the 1500 at Conferences. That year she also took home the Female Athlete of the Year Award for her accomplishments. She completed a successful college career with All Conference titles in just about every season (except for the ones canceled due to covid). Theresa currently coaches conditioning, XC, and track programs from middle school up through high school. She has helped coach athletes to local, regional, and national success.
Mrs. Marcia Malloy
Upper Elementary Art, Art 1, Art 2
Marcia Malloy is an art educator with 28 years teaching experience. Her degree is a BA of Architecture from Va Tech. After a few years pursuing that field, she discovered the joy of teaching students to draw and seeing them grow in their artistic pursuits. Classes at Rhode Island School of Design, Nova, and the Torpedo Factory gave her the skills she needed to accomplish those goals.
Since 1988, she has taught art to elementary and middle school students at Christian Assembly Academy, Dominion Christian School, and for 17 years at Trinity Christian School in Fairfax. During that time she also taught homeschool and private classes as well. Moving to Leesburg in 2007, she taught summer camps at Art Square. Retiring from Trinity in 2014, she has taught at Right At Home and has opened a studio in her home in Leesburg, as well as teaching at Assisi Bridge Coop for 4 years.
Mrs. Malloy lives in Leesburg with her daughter, son in law and three grandsons and attends Free Life Church. She has 5 daughters, 4 sons in law, 15 grandchildren, 3 chickens, and a dog.
Mr. Chris McKenna
Pre-Algebra
Chris McKenna has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mathematics-Statistics from Penn State University and a Master's of Theological Studies in Pastoral Theology from the Institute of Pastoral Theology. Chris has worked as an actuary for the past 23 years, recently founding his own consulting firm, Three Lions, LLC. Prior to beginning his actuarial career, he worked as an academic counselor at Seton Home Study School, working with dozens of students on their coursework in pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and calculus.
Chris and his wife Patricia met as pro-life missionaries and are approaching 25 years of marriage, with five children and two grandchildren (with another one on the way). They have been members of St. Francis since 2016, where he has taught religious education for three years and currently helps to lead the middle school youth group.
Mrs. Annie Menuey
Upper Elementary/Middle School Music
A St. Francis parishioner, Mrs. Menuey is thankful to share the gift of music with children! She taught general music in Fairfax County after graduating from JMU in 2001 until having her first child in 2007. Her undergraduate degree in music education was followed by certification courses in the Orff and Kodaly approaches to music learning. She hopes to help children experience and enjoy beautiful music and see how they, by God's goodness, are music-makers.
Mrs. Camia Pfingsten
Math Skills, Games & Memory Work
Camia studied at the University of Arizona where she received a Bachelor of Music in 1998 following that with a Master of Music in 2001. Camia married Michael Pfingsten in 2002 and began the life of an Air Force spouse. They have moved around the world twice, and have been blessed with four amazing children whom Camia has had the privilege of homeschooling. Mike retired from the AIr Force in 2019 and they moved to Round Hill, VA in 2021. In her spare time, she loves to be with her family, play games, hike and bake. She loves the opportunities that CHRSM offers their youngest son and is very much enjoying the opportunity of teaching at CHRSM this year.
Mrs. Erin Philogene
ME Hands-On Science, IEW
My name is Erin Philogene, originally from North Carolina but I currently reside in Summit Point, WV with my husband Joe, who is the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Evergreen Christian School (ECS), and our three children; Viera 3rd grade, Eroe 1st grade, and Bastien in Pre-K.
I attended 2 years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary then transferred to Liberty University graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Education with a Special Education concentration. After working over 7 years in Early Childhood Special Education and Developmental Therapy, I homeschooled my children before jumping back into teaching 2nd grade at Providence Academy for the past two years.
Tutoring and teaching is the passion God has placed on my life and I feel blessed to join the incredible teachers at CHRSM this year.
Mrs. Rebecca Redman
Middle School General Science, Middle School Life Science, High School World Geography, High School Chemistry
Becky received a B.S. in Political Science from West Virginia University before moving to the Washington, D.C. area and becoming gainfully employed by a well-known political analyst. Her first “gig” lasted a few short years before her true love of science won out and she returned to the University of Maryland, obtaining a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She enjoyed a variety of experiences in the field of pharmacy, including teaching at schools of pharmacy and working at the Food and Drug Administration, before her “retirement” in 2010 to homeschool her growing family. She has taught a wide variety of homeschool classes, focusing primarily on science but also on history and geography.
Becky and her husband, Red, are long-time members of Purcellville Baptist Church and active in ministry. Their favorite pastime is time with their four kids as well as with extended family and friends.
Mrs. Lemar Rolon
High School Spanish 1-4
Lemar Rolon has a B.A. degree in Business Administration. She worked in a non-profit organization for a few years, but in 2008 her husband and she began a school at their church in Puerto Rico, where she worked as a teacher and school director. During these years she taught almost all subjects from Kindergarten through 9th grade. After ten years of service, her family moved to Virginia in June of 2018 because her husband Alexis, who has been a pastor for almost 20 years, was asked to come and serve in a Hispanic church with three sites: Manassas, Arlington, and Franconia. Along with this big change, Lemar and her husband also decided to homeschool their 2 kids. For the past two years she's also been teaching Spanish 1 and 2 in other co-ops. Lemar loves cooking, baking, and spending time with her family. She works with the women’s and worship ministries at her church and also runs her own business with Rodan and Fields, a prestigious skin-care company.
Mrs. Theresa Schlenz
7th Grade Confirmation 2024-25
Theresa Schlenz received her BA in Mental Health & Human Services and English Literature from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She was blessed to grow up as part of Steubenville’s vibrant Catholic community, and has a great passion to share the priceless gift of our Faith with young people. Theresa and her husband Joe have six children, and have been parishioners at St. John’s in Leesburg for 14 years. Amidst the busyness of family life, she spends most of her free moments either reading or curating her vast and ever-growing book collection. CHRSM has been a great blessing to her family, and she is excited to have the privilege of teaching this year.
Mrs. Monica Seeley
Nature Study, First Holy Communion
Monica Seeley has a BS in Recreational Therapy from St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York. After college, Monica worked with children and the elderly in New York State facilities before taking the opportunity to fly for United Airlines as a flight attendant. Monica started homeschooling in 2011 while living in Connecticut before moving to Virginia in 2014. She is a vegetable/flower garden enthusiast and recently became certified as a master farmer. When she is not working in her gardens, she is busy attending her children's sporting events. Monica and her husband Tom have been happily married for 20 years and have six children.
Mrs. Megan Silvestri
Five in a Row Geography
Megan Silvestri graduated from Miami University of Ohio with her Bachelor’s degree in nursing, and was commissioned as a nurse corps officer in the U.S. Navy. Her teaching began during her military service, where she taught prenatal classes for new parents and labor and delivery classes for junior nurses. Megan served at hospitals in California, Naples, Italy, and Virginia, where she met her active duty navy husband. When their first child was born in Okinawa, Japan, Megan became a stay at home mom. Their family eventually settled in Waterford in 2016 after deciding they were ready to put down some roots. Megan began homeschooling seven years ago when her oldest started kindergarten. She is a Level 1 Catechist for the Joyful Child Atrium in Purcellville, taught previously at CHRSM, and is excited to be back in the classroom this year. Megan and her husband, Jason, have 5 children and are parishioners at St. Francis de Sales.
Mrs. Angela Stock
Middle School Spanish 1 & 2
Angela Stock graduated from Florida International University in Miami, FL with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. She enjoyed working in Florida and California before graduating to her esteemed role as wife of John Stock, and homeschooling mom to 2 wonderful kids since 2013. She studied multiple years of Spanish in high school and college, but didn't fall in love with the language until she was able to use it with the many Spanish-speaking patients and staff and saw how fascinating it was to open doors of communication!
Mrs. Stock and family are long time members of Leesburg Community Church, and are thrilled to be part of God's family with you! She enjoys spending time with family and animals, and this will be her 5th year teaching Middle School Spanish classes.
Mrs. Katie Swerda
SAT Prep, Personal Finance
Katie Swerda received B.A.'s in History and Art History with minors in Chemistry and German from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in Art Conservation Science from the University of Delaware. She conserved paintings in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Parentignat, France; and Vienna, Austria before marrying her first love. (Frank and Katie met at the age of six.) They live in Jefferson County, WV, where they attend Saint James Catholic Church and the Priory of the Annunciation with their six children. Katie is a member of the Third Order at the Priory and takes classes in pottery, taekwondo, and Latin. She has been homeschooling since their oldest child was in kindergarten in 2007.
Katie started offering SAT-prep to help her own children receive large scholarships for college. She soon became excited to see that the SAT is a game that we can train to win. She enjoys seeing her students significantly improve their scores while having fun learning to master it.
Mrs. Diane Taylor
Algebra I
Diane Taylor comes to us after years of teaching grades 3-8 in the public schools. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in early and middle childhood education from Radford University, a Masters degree in curriculum and development from George Mason University, and a mathematics specialist endorsement from University of Virginia. She has a love for teaching mathematics!
She became a St Francis de Sales parishioner in 1974 when her parents moved the family to Lincoln from Washington state. She remembers having religious education classes at the Loudoun Valley Community Center and her 1st Communion reception at the Purcellville Library (a short walk from the church on Main Street).
Diane and her husband Ray live on the mountain in Bluemont and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Stacey Tuman
Upper Elementary Hands-On Science
Ms. Sydney Vaughn
Music Explorers
Ms. Sydney Vaughn is a classically trained Violinist and a Fiddler with over ten years of playing and performing experience and three years of teaching experience. She loves to worship The Lord through music and has always had a passion for music education. Some of her credits include: Suzuki Teacher Certification (Greater Washington Suzuki Institute), Paul Roland String Technique Endorsement (University of Illinois), Director of the Maranatha Children's Music Academy Beginner Strings, Maranatha Youth Music Academy Alumnus (Concertmaster).
Sydney's goal through teaching is to share the joy and beauty of music with others, to inspire and assist each child in reaching their goals, to encourage Christlike character and discipline, and to support each child as they learn to express their own unique creativity through music!
Outside of her music studio, Sydney calls dances for Rapid Felicities and teaches Youth Acting with Jupiter Theater Company.
Mrs. Wendy Webb
Middle School Literature, High School Literature
Wendy Webb graduated Magna Cum Laude from BIOLA with a B.S. in Christian Education, a minor in Bible, and a specialty in Curriculum Writing. She has successfully launched her three children into adulthood after homeschooling for 17 years. Wendy has put her degree to good use writing curriculum and teaching the elementary aged worship hour at her church for 18 years. While homeschooling, she organized and taught Lively Literature, a precursor to her work with RAH teaching Literature to middle and high school homeschooling students. After 18 years with RAH, she is looking forward to joining the CHRSM family. In secular circles, Wendy has tutored students for the writing portion of the SAT. She is currently in her 19th year as a substitute teacher for LCPS, teaching all subjects at the middle and high school levels.