Our Faculty and Staff

Mr. Taylor Bettencourt

Headmaster and Philosophy

Mr. Bettencourt holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy as well as Master of Arts in Philosophy with a concentration in Bioethics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Classical Education from the University of Dallas.  In addition to his responsibilities as headmaster, Mr. Bettencourt also teach freshman and sophomore philosophy.

Mrs. Charissa Saenz

Executive Director

Mrs. Saenz holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from the University of Alabama.  She has previously served in various capacities in development and school administration and currently serves as Director of Liturgical Music and Director of Marketing and Development at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.  Mrs. Saenz is the co-founder of Chesterton Academy of Atlanta and is the vice chair of the board of directors and also serves as executive director.

Fr. Neil Dhabliwala

Chaplain

Fr. Neil holds of Bachelor of Science in Management and Information Technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Moral Theology from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.  He serves as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.  Fr. Neil is the co-founder of Chesterton Academy of Atlanta and is the chair of the board of directors and also serves as chaplain.  

Ms. Niki Mallinak

Theology, Health, and PE

Ms. Mallinak holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a Master of Theological Studies from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.  She currently teaches freshman and sophomore theology as well as health and PE at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.

Mrs. Meghan Smith

Art

Mrs. Smith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Art History, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a Master of Fine Arts from the State University of New York.  Mrs. Smith currently teaches freshman and sophomore art at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta. 

Mrs. Brenda Accurso

Music

Mrs. Accurso holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor and a Master of Arts in Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame.  She currently teaches freshman and sophomore music at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta

Mr. Jeremy Johnston

Latin

Mr. Johnston holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Theology from Ave Maria University and is also completing his Doctoral degree in Moral Theology at Ave Maria.  He currently teaches freshman and sophomore latin at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.

Mrs. Michele Hynes

Science

Mrs. Hynes holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemical Science from Harvard University.  She currently teaches freshman science at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta 

Mr. John Saenz

Math

Mr. Saenz holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University and Master of Arts from the University of Alabama in Music Education as well as a Georgia State Certification in Math.  He is currently teaches freshman and sophomore math at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta. 

Mr. Robert Corner

Athletics Director and History

Mr. Corner holds of Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Arts in Catholic Studies from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.  He currently serves as Athletics Director and teaches freshman and sophomore history at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.

Ms. Erika Fasselt

Drama and Literature

Ms. Fasselt holds of Bachelor of Science in Education from from Kennesaw State University.  She currently teaches freshman and sophomore literature and sophomore drama at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.

Mr. Jacob Gruca

Science

Mr. Gruca holds of Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  He currently teaches sophomore science at Chesterton Academy of Atlanta.