FACULTY & STAFF
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Philosophy
Mr. Parlow holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Economics from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s degree in Economics from Walsh College and has taught in the field at the college level for 20 years.
Mr. Parlow is a lifelong Catholic and resides in Macomb Township with his wife, Pam, and daughter, Josephine, who is a junior at the Academy. He is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and St. Brendan Catholic Elementary School. Mr. Parlow and his family attend Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit, where he currently sits on the Parish Finance Council. He is also a Past Grand Knight of the Assumption Grotto Knight of Columbus Council. Mr. Parlow is also a member of the Phildelphia Society.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading, spending time with his family and friends, and sometimes serving on a competitive yachting crew. Mr. Parlow says he “loves the curriculum offered at the Academy, as it is filled with beauty and the ‘splendor of discovery’. At Chesterton, students learn about truly meaningful things; the sorts of things that nourish the mind, elevate the soul, and mold one’s character. Ultimately, Chesterton’s mission is not to make good students; it seeks to make students Good.”
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Theology, Philosophy, Literature
Mr. Pham discerned the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and earned his Master’s degree in Theology and Bachelor’s in Philosophy. Prior to attending seminary, he earned an English degree from Oakland University. Throughout the years, Mr. Pham has volunteered as a youth catechist and camp counselor for his Vietnamese Catholic Parish. He taught at St. Catherine of Siena Academy for five years, where he offered courses and clubs on Church History, Catholic Apologetics, Mariology, Prayer and Discernment, Car Maintenance, Asian Culture, Gregorian Chant, and Bible Study. Mr. Pham has an ever-deepening gratitude for the seasons of autumn and hunting, and enjoys bike riding, camping, hiking, creative writing, and discovering the riches of ancient Catholic liturgies. His most loved line from Scripture is Apocalypse 21:5, and his favorite saint is our Blessed Mother.
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History, Advanced Math
Mr. Pawlowski graduated from Wayne State University in 2018 earning a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a major in math and history. he has been teaching math and history at Chesterton since. 2021. He is a catechist at St. Basil the Great Parish in Eastpointe, where he attends Mass. Homeschooled all the way through high school, Mr. Pawlowski has developed a deep love and passion for Catholic tradition. David is a vociferous reader and especially enjoys books about history and theology, though he also appreciates a good mystery novel.
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Music, Choir, Drama
Mrs. Hopersberger holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Wayne State University. She has taught middle school and high school Band and Choir, as well as Elementary General Music. After a significant conversion of heart, it became clear that her work in public schools was not compatible with her life as a Catholic wife and mother. At the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year, she left her public school teaching job to work as the Director of Religious Education at her parish. She joined the faculty at Chesterton Academy OLOG in January 2023.
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Art History, Studio Art
Mrs. Rochon has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in Graphic Design and Commercial Art from Wayne State University. She taught art for several adult education enrichment programs, to K-12th grade students at a private Christian academy on Detroit’s east side for eight years, and to homeschooled students at different co-ops in the Metro Detroit area. She and her husband Jerry have been married for 33 years and have four grown children who were all homeschooled. They attend Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit. Marcella continues to work as an artist doing graphic design, illustration, and sculpture. She recently became a proud grandma.
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Chemistry
Mrs. Hornbacher is excited to be part of classical education inspired by the great G.K. Chesterton. She has over 10 years of experience in education in public, Catholic, and hybrid homeschool settings. She has a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Wayne State University and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University, as well as additional theology coursework from Silber Lake College of the Holy Family and Sacred Heart Seminary. Gayle is also a Third Order Dominican with the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapter in Ann Arbor, and brings the charism of preaching with her into the classroom. When not teaching, she if building her family life at home with her wonderful husband Mark and three littles, going for a run, reading, or building photo books.
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From travel agent to music educator, to homeschooling mom, to volunteer coordinator at Troy Historic Village, and administrative assistant at historic Ford House, Mrs. Zaporski comes to Chesterton Academy rather serendipitously but providentially! Julie graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Lowell (MA) and taught privately and in co-ops. Happily married for over 30 years to her husband Martin, she taught music in Catholic Schools until raising and homeschooling their family of three sons. All three young men went on to get full-ride scholarships to universities, leaving Julie free to pursue new frontiers in the Museum industry until God had other plans! Julie loves sharing the Faith and joy (and of course, puns!) with such an authentically Catholic high school. Julie enjoys being a grandma to three wonderful grandchildren, cooking, and being in nature. Their son Kevin is a seminarian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary - the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Please pray for him and his vocation!
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Mrs. Smith has been an active leader in the Catholic Homeschool community for 20 years, and part of the Chesterton family since year one in 2020. With a graduate in 2022, another in 2024, and two sons currently enrolled, she looks forward to many more years of helping the school grow and flourish and seeing the fruits in her own family. She is a devoted wife of 26 years to Ryan, mother to 11, and grandmother to two. Melanie and her family are members of St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit.
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Latin, Philosophy
Bio to come.
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Geometry, Algebra, Literature
Bio to come.
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Astronomy & Physics
Bio to come.
