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Thomas Beckley, Principal: Mr. Beckley began his career as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in 1991. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Religion from Columbia University. While serving in Rome, Italy, he completed the first cycles of Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. While traveling throughout Europe, Mr. Beckley developed a fluency in Italian and German. Having completed a Master in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University Chicago, Mr. Beckley taught Social Studies at Gordon Technical High School and coached cross-country and track prior to joining the CJA faculty.
David Diehl, Dean of Students & Faculty Member: Mr. Diehl earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Villanova University. He has been afforded the privilege to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in the United States and Africa. Mr. Diehl began teaching middle school in Chicago in the summer of 2000. He has since earned his Master of Science in Education degree from Northwestern University. Mr. Diehl has been nominated for the Golden Apple Award during his time at CJA.
Matthew Durkin, Faculty Member: Mr. Durkin comes to CJA after graduating from the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science with cum laude honors. There, he volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Saint Joseph County at Wilson Elementary School on the west side of South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Durkin volunteered with CJA from its beginnings in 2005 at Marillac House and continued to volunteer at CJA in the summer of 2008.
Brian Farmer, Faculty Member: Mr. Farmer comes to CJA with a background as an attorney for the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. As an attorney, he worked on over 40 criminal trials and was a member of the Forensic Sciences Division, focusing on cases involving scientific evidence such as DNA, fingerprints and ballistics. Mr. Farmer earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame, a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and a Master of Education from Northwestern University.
Joyce Hatch, Recruitment Coordinator & Faculty Member: Ms. Hatch has much experience working with the development of children with special needs and has traveled extensively around the world working for social justice in global education. Ms. Hatch earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Northern Illinois University. In addition to building special education departments for autistic children in London and Singapore, Ms. Hatch co-founded an inner-city organization, “Community Ministers,” which facilitates cultural and global awareness of young African-American leaders in West Garfield Park.
Jenna Heitchue, Graduate Support Director & Faculty Member: Ms. Heitchue comes to CJA after teaching for two years with Teach for America in Eastern North Carolina where she taught 8th-grade science and mathematics at Warren County Middle School. In 2007, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an additional major in Science from Michigan State University.
Matt Houlihan, Dean of Student Programs & Faculty Member: Mr. Houlihan earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2005 and a Master of Education in 2007 from the University of Notre Dame. He is a graduate of the University’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program. He spent two years in Mobile, Alabama, teaching at Most Pure Heart of Mary School. He served as a teacher of History, Religion, Art and Physical Education. He was a football coach, discipline chair and acting vice principal in his time there. He has also taught at Franklin Middle School in Champaign, Illinois. During his time there, he taught Reading and History and directed the school’s intramural sports program. While a student at Notre Dame, he participated in the National Youth Sports Program and volunteered with Teamwork for Tomorrow.
Sean Kane, Faculty Member: Mr. Kane is a product of Chicago's Inner-City Teaching Corps. As a volunteer teacher, Mr. Kane gained experience through teaching at a parochial school on Chicago's Southside, while also earning a Master of Science in Education from Northwestern University. It was his growing connection with Chicago's young community of Catholic volunteers and educators that lead him to CJA, and his experiences with Jesuit education at Boston College that made the mission at CJA so appealing to him. Mr. Kane teaches 7th- and 8th-grade Language Arts and Reading, and looks forward to coaching, leading students in the arts and being a new part of the CJA community.
Chris Keiser, Faculty Member:
Mr. Keiser comes to CJA after graduating from Georgetown University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Mathematics with cum laude honors. During his time at Georgetown, he volunteered as a tutor for 1st-and 4th-grade students at Houston Elementary, a public elementary school in Southeast Washington, DC. While at Georgetown he also served as Captain of the Men's Club Basketball team and spent a semester abroad studying Politics at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland.
Katie McDonnell, Faculty Member:Ms. McDonnell comes to CJA from Oklahoma City where she spent two years teaching at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School as part of the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program. While in Oklahoma, she served as an English and Speech teacher, running coach and retreat leader. At Notre Dame, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science in 2009 and Masters of Education in 2011. While a student at Notre Dame, Ms. McDonnell tutored at the Robinson Community Center. She also worked as an intern for a Member of the British Parliament while studying for a semester in London, England.
Paul Mitchell, Faculty Member: Mr. Mitchell comes to CJA after teaching for two years in Jinja, Uganda. There, he taught computer science at Lakeview Secondary School and Peace and Conflict Studies at the Philosophy Centre- Jinja. In 2007, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, Mr. Mitchell traveled to Mexico and El Salvador to study, work and research schools of popular education.
Anne Roney, Faculty Member: Ms. Roney comes to CJA after graduating from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. She earned a double Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Human Development with cum laude honors. While at Boston College, Ms. Roney served as a student teacher for four semesters. She also spent a semester abroad continuing her studies in Human Development at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy.
Denise Smalley, School Social Worker: Mrs. Smalley comes to CJA after 13 years of service in Catholic schools in New York and Chicago. Most recently, Mrs. Smalley worked as the School Social Worker/Coordinator of Family Services for St. Joseph Services at the San Miguel School for the past five years. Prior to that, she worked as the Assistant Director for Family Services at the Martin De Porres School, a private special education school operated by the Christian Brothers of New York. Mrs. Smalley holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Dowling College and a Master of Human Development from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She is currently enrolled in a Type 73 Counseling Certification Program at Loyola University. Mrs. Smalley brings a wealth of experience in working with inner-city youth and children with disabilities. In 2008, her passion for protecting the rights of children led her to participate in a Lasallian Social Justice immersion experience in Juarez, Mexico.
Administration and Staff
Matthew Lynch, President: Mr. Lynch began his career in education as a teacher at a federal prison in Virginia and a juvenile detention facility in Maryland. He later taught and coached at St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, a NativityMiguel middle school in Baltimore. Upon returning to his hometown of Chicago, Mr. Lynch worked as a teacher and administrator at St. Ignatius College Prep. While at St. Ignatius, Mr. Lynch helped create the St. Ignatius Higher Achievement Program, a middle-school enrichment program for students from underserved backgrounds. He subsequently assembled and led the team that has founded Chicago Jesuit Academy. Mr. Lynch holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University. He serves on the advisory board for JVC Magis at Loyola University Chicago and is a past recipient of the Kraft Medal (1998), the Landegger Grant (1998), the St. Josaphat Parish Unity Award (2007), the Community Renewal Society's 35-under-35 award (2007) and St. Ignatius College Prep's alumni medal (2010). He and his wife live in Oak Park and are raising their two young children.
Catherine Cassidy, Vice President of Operations & Development: Ms. Cassidy began her career in sales, marketing and client service, during which she managed many major accounts including Home Depot, Target and General Mills. A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, Ms. Cassidy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Illinois and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business where she is also active in the Community Relations club.
Clara Chu, Development Associate & Volunteer Coordinator: Prior to joining CJA in 2007, Ms. Chu taught English to students of all ages in the People’s Republic of China. In 2003, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Santa Clara University and a Master of Science in Education from Northwestern University in 2006. As a member of the Inner-City Teaching Corps, Ms. Chu taught middle school math at a school on the Southside of Chicago.
Jim Dalton, Business & Database Manager: Mr. Dalton comes to Chicago Jesuit Academy following a successful 35-year career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois in Marketing and Account Management positions. He gained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Mary of the Lake and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University while studying for the priesthood. He helped found the Howard Area Community Center in Rogers Park in the late 1960s. Interested in urban issues, he attended DePaul University where he earned a Master of Arts in Sociology. While working for Blue Cross he earned a Master of Business Administration at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. He is hoping to complete the University of Chicago’s Master of Liberal Arts program in 2011. When he grows up, he plans to play shortstop for the Chicago White Sox.
Christopher Dwyer, Director of Facilities & Information Technology: Mr. Dwyer attended Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geology at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After college, he spent two years in Jesuit Volunteers International living and working on the island of Weno in the Federated States of Micronesia at Xavier High School. He was a science teacher for two years at CJA and is now the Director of Facilities and I.T. He also coaches basketball, moderates the bike club and oversees the agriculture and sustainability programs.
Sarah Finch, Special Assistant for Institutional and Academic Achievement: Ms. Finch is a Founding Faculty Member at CJA where she taught 5th-grade math and science for four years. She made her way to CJA via Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program where she served as a 5th-grade teacher and coach in Birmingham, Alabama, while earning a Master Degree in Education in 2006. As a 2004 graduate of Notre Dame's Program of Liberal Studies, Ms. Finch has returned to the classroom as a student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Pam Gilmour, School Nurse: Mrs. Gilmour comes to CJA as a registered nurse with post-graduate certification in pediatrics. She began her career working in a hospital emergency department, an immunization outreach clinic for the state of Florida, and a family practice where she had the privilege of assisting Guatemalan and Haitian migrant workers with their health care needs. After relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Gilmour worked in Ravenna City Schools as a district R.N. and developed a Health and Family Living curriculum for middle school students. Prior to moving to Chicago, she spent nine years in Columbus, Ohio, at St. Joseph Montessori nursing and teaching 7th - and 8th-grade Life Science. Mrs. Gilmour is a volunteer for the St. Edmund Parish P.A.D.S. program and a telescope facilitator at the Adler Planetarium.
Maria Lefkow Sorensen, Development Associate: A Chicago native and a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, Ms. Lefkow Sorensen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Tulane University. Ms. Lefkow Sorensen comes to CJA after 12 years at The Princeton Review, a leading standardized test preparation company. In her most recent role, Ms. Lefkow Sorensen served as Executive Director of the Illinois office. In 2010, Ms. Lefkow Sorensen joined the Academy Associates and co-chaired the 4th annual Give-A-Little Gala. Given her tremendous success with the gala and her commitment to the school and students, CJA is excited to have her as a full-time member of the CJA community.
Bernina Sykes, Administrative Assistant: Ms. Sykes comes to CJA with over ten years experience in customer service and office work. She worked as a Financial Representative for Oak Park Hospital for three years where her duties included maintaining contracts with insurance companies, medical billing and maintaining medical records requests. Ms. Sykes previously worked as a claims adjuster and client service representative for United Healthcare and Unicare. Ms. Sykes earned a Bachelor degree in Business Management in 2010 from Benedictine University. She has two sons; her older son is a member of CJA’s Class of 2009 and is currently enrolled at Loyola Academy and her younger son hopes to be a member of CJA Class of 2018.
Co-Curricular Programming
Marques Carroll, Music & Jazz Band Director: Mr. Carroll earned a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University Music School with a focus in Jazz Studies Performance. Although raised in St. Louis, Mr. Carroll has made Chicago his home for the past 13 years. He is a freelance musician who has carved his own path in the music scene by being a diverse trumpet player, band leader and educator. Marques has toured Ireland with the DePaul Wind Ensemble, shared the stage with Louie Bellson on the QEII cruise line and toured Vietnam with the Kimotion Big Band led by Kimo Williams. Since then, Mr. Carroll has taught privately for the last 10 years. In three years, he rebuilt the Thornton Fractional High School Jazz Ensemble, who placed first in all of their jazz competitions. He also restructured and directed the DePaul University Screamin’ Demon Pep Band. Currently, Mr. Carroll is a private trumpet instructor for the New Trier Music Department and a jazz combo instructor.
Pro-Bono Consultants
Janet J. Underwood, Academic Consultant: Mrs. Underwood retired from Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road in 2006 where she served for 14 years, first as Principal of Hardey Preparatory, then as Head of Schools for both the Academy and Hardey Prep and finally as Head of the Lower School of both the Academy and Hardey Prep. Prior to that, she was Dean of Students at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart from 1975 to 1978. Mrs. Underwood earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Barat College of the Sacred Heart, completed her Master's studies in Theology at Catholic University of America and earned a Master of Science in Administration degree from University of Notre Dame. Mrs. Underwood served and completed two 3-year terms as a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Ignatius College Prep where she chaired the School Programs Committee. Mrs. Underwood also served on the Ancona School Board of Trustees where she was a member of the Education Committee for three years. She remains a member of the Board of Trustees at both schools. Mrs. Underwood is a member of the Educational Committee for the Clinical Pastoral Educational Program of the Church Home at Montgomery Place, a social service agency of the Episcopal Charities and Community Services of Chicago. Mrs. Underwood also became a member of the Academic Affairs Committee of Chicago Jesuit Academy in 2008.
Board of Directors
Mr. Matthew J. Botica, Chair
Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
Mr. Kevin J. Conway
Partner, Cooney & Conway
Mrs. Catherine Denny
Civic Leader
Mr. Paul C. Gearen
President, Nicholson Porter & List Inc.
Mr. Darrell W. Hill
Corporate Finance Marketing Director, William Blair & Company
Mrs. Lindy Keiser
Recruitment Coordinator, Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation
Mr. Michael Kennedy
Planning Manager, NAVTEQ Corporation
Mrs. JoAnn Kunkel
Philanthropist/Homemaker
Mr. John Lahey
Managing Principal, Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates Inc.
Mr. Brian C. Lewis
Assistant United States Attorney
Mr. Matthew Lynch
President, Chicago Jesuit Academy
Rev. Rick Millbourn, S.J.
Teacher, St. Xavier High School
Mr. Michael Miller
Partner, CIVC Partners
Rev. Richard H. McGurn, S.J.
Rector, Loyola Academy Jesuit Community
Rev. Patrick McGrath, S.J.
President, Loyola Academy
Ms. Leslie Richards-Yellen
Diversity Partner, Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP
Rev. Martin Schreiber, S.J.
Education Doctoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago
Ms. Carol Smith
Executive Director,The Gies Foundation
Dr. Lauren Smith, MD
Attending Physician, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County
Assistant Professor, Rush Medical College
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