"Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world. If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier. Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person." - St. Teresa of Calcutta

Reflections on Catholic Education

Sacramental graces truly rest dormant until the individual is ready to activate and cooperate with God’s providential prodding. I remember that I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my confirmation name, but the ramifications of this decision were made manifest when I encountered his writings in college. I went to Providence College more or less on a whim, and first as a political science major. I came to fully embrace the seeds that were planted in my family, and at St. Thomas Aquinas [high school]. The writings of this great saint inspired me deeply. “As a man is, so does the end seem to him.” The coherency and consistency in his logic made so much sense to me, and it helped me realize that all people and all of God’s plan is fundamentally good. We were made for something more, and that instinctual impulse must be watered in the souls of young people. As Saint John Paul II stated over and over again, “the truth will set you free." I think Catholic schools need to be an authentic extension of the Church’s missionary movement. The New Evangelization is underway in large part because we are in mission territory. For all of the achievements and advancements of the modern era, we no longer accept where we came from or where we are going. I work in a Catholic school because young people need to know that God’s goodness and love are the most decisive and life-changing facts they will ever discover. Catholic education incites the flame of truth, goodness, beauty, and love. Everyone has a purpose, and no one is replaceable. I am a better man because of Catholic education, a better husband, a better father, and a better educator. And I don’t mean better compared to others; I am better in this sense: I know who I am, where I am from, and where I am going, so I am better equipped to deal with everyday struggles because Catholic education gives you a perspective of the ultimate. Catholic education anchors the human person in truth, and in a world where truth is under attack by the “dictatorship of relativism,” we need to show to young people the capacity for life-giving greatness.

Mr. Derek Tremblay started teaching and coaching at Mount Royal in the 2009-2010 school year. He graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas in Dover, one of our brethren Catholic Schools in New Hampshire. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Political Science, a Master of Theological Studies from Providence College, and a master's in education from New England College. He is a certified principal in the state of New Hampshire. Mr. Tremblay previously served as the Liturgical Life Director, Admissions Director, and Athletic Director at MRA. His tenure as Headmaster began in November of 2014, and he continues to teach theology to high school students. He also serves as a Teacher Advisor at the Sophia Institute for Teachers. His contribution (The Beatitudes and Moral Choices) was recently published by the Sophia Institute Press in a collection of 13 lesson plans based on the title "The Beatitudes: Living the Life of Christ." Mr. Tremblay is a parishioner of Saint Patrick’s in Newport, where he previously coordinated the Youth Ministry program and catechized candidates preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation for five years. He also served as Camp Minister at Camp Fatima during the summer of 2010. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and resides in Goshen, New Hampshire, with his wife and four children.

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”  - St. Teresa of Calcutta

Reflection on Catholic Education

"Reason and religion are the two springs of my method of education...In this educational method, religion—like a bit in a fiery steed’s mouth—thoroughly controls the youngster, while reason—like a bridle—steers his course.... The secret of education is summed up in two words: religion and reason—religion, genuine and sincere, to control one’s actions; reason, to apply moral principles to one’s activities rightly." - St. John Bosco As a convert to Catholicism at the age of twenty-one, I had no exposure to Catholic Education in my youth. However, in the years following my conversion, my relationship with Christ and my love for the Church grew exponentially. By the time I had my own children, I was convinced that their education must have at its center the Truths of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I believe Catholic Education is essential for the formation of a child because it addresses the whole child—body, mind, soul. It is not enough to educate the mind and not feed the soul or form the character.  As Alice von Hildebrand once said, “Information without formation is useless.”St. Teresa of Calcutta inspires me to remember to do all things in love. Children need education and formation, yes, but if that child does not feel loved, he cannot accept the teaching. Love can change hearts. Love makes all the difference. Teaching is a vocation, a mission from God. I look to Him for the guidance and grace to be His love and His presence in my classroom and in the lives of the students entrusted to me. I consider myself truly blessed to be able to teach at Mount Royal Academy, where these values are supported and encouraged; where Jesus is present in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity; and where Love resides.

Mrs. Lisa Sweet lives in Cornish, New Hampshire, with her husband, Scott, and three of their five children. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Plymouth State College. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Elementary Education Certification for grades K-8. Mrs. Sweet has over twenty years’ experience in Catholic education, including homeschooling her five children, where her passion for authentic Catholic education was born. She is the founder of the St. Bonaventure Homeschooling Cooperative in Claremont, New Hampshire, and taught fifth and sixth grades for three years at New England Classical Academy. There was responsible for instruction in all subjects, including Latin. Mrs. Sweet also served on the school development and curriculum committees at John Paul II Academy in Claremont and taught the third, fourth, and fifth grades there. For the past five years she has been the Director of Faith Formation for St. Mary Parish in Claremont, responsible for the design and implementation of the religious education program, teaching middle and high school religious education students, and Sacramental preparation. She is also certified to teach Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1. Mrs. Sweet taught Chinese children English through VIPKID, an online ESL school. Each day she got a glimpse, not only into the children’s homes, but into the dynamics of Chinese family life. This type of education goes both ways—she instructed Chinese children in English, and they opened her heart and mind to a different culture. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Sweet enjoys reading, walking, gardening, visiting the ocean, and especially spending time with her family, including her four beautiful grandchildren.

“But who do you say that I am?” Mt 16:15

Reflections on Catholic Education

MRA is dedicated to providing the foundation essential to a full life. The ability to think clearly and discern truth in a world of deception will serve a person well. However, it is not enough. A life of virtue and desire to live for God and neighbor will bring lasting peace and happiness. This is what Catholic Education must strive to accomplish. This is why I am part of Mount Royal Academy.

Mr. McMenaman has a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing as well as a Master of Business Administration from Franciscan University of Steubenville. After co-owning and operating a family business in New Jersey for seventeen years, he and his wife decided to fulfill a long-time dream to be a part of Mount Royal Academy. Mr. McMenaman is currently pursuing a master's degree in theology throuh Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He has taught the Catholic faith through various parish religious programs for many years, and he and his wife have been active in several Catholic apostolates. Mr. McMenaman is a certified presenter of The Joy-Filled Marriage program, a comprehensive marriage preparation program rooted in St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. He has also co-instructed Pre-Cana weekend retreats and the Creighton Model FertilityCare NFP system. Mr. McMenaman resides in New London, New Hampshire, with his wife and eight children.

“The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” – Footprints in the Sand

Reflections of Catholic Education

The Catholic-inspired education taught at MRA is the number one reason we chose to send our daughter here. Faith is a very important part of our family life, so having that reinforced in school is truly a blessing. Since day one of being a part of the MRA community my family has been treated with love and respect. I hope and pray that I am able to infuse these great qualities in my students. - Mrs. Nicole LeBlanc

Mrs. LeBlanc has a love and passion for helping children learn. Over the years she has been a substitute teacher and assisted in many classes. She was recently appointed interim Pre-K Teacher at Mount Royal Academy and brings a lot of dedication, energy, and peace to the classroom. She looks forward to putting her enjoyment of doing different crafts into teaching. She lives in Newbury, New Hampshire, with her husband and their daughter. Mrs. LeBlanc is a parishioner at St. Patrick's in Newport.

“Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting Father Who cares for us today will take care of us tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield us from suffering or He will give us unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.” - St. Francis de Sales

Reflections on Catholic Education

I kept this quote on my refrigerator for years while homeschooling and it has been on the bulletin board behind my desk for the past ten years of teaching second grade. As a mother and a teacher, I know God has entrusted me with my children and my students for a certain amount of time, and it is my duty to love and form them in the time I am given and ultimately return them to Him. This is an awesome responsibility, but I have absolute confidence that God is helping me along the way, and I entrust these same children and students to His loving care. This trust was tested and refined when my husband passed away suddenly in 2020. God indeed did provide “unfailing strength to bear it,” particularly in the overwhelming love, prayers, and support from the Mount Royal community. Working in the same building which houses a chapel and our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is a real blessing. I am privileged to be able to bring my students every day to visit Jesus there, literally bringing the children unto Him. Second grade is the year when many children make their first confession, and helping all my students understand God’s merciful love is one of my favorite parts of the job.

Mrs. Robin Moorehouse has taught second grade at Mount Royal Academy since 2014. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside, in 1993 with a degree in Psychology, then spent a year teaching kindergarten at an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, where she met her husband, a fellow volunteer. After completing elementary teaching certification training at Northern Arizona University, she taught elementary and middle school in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Vermont before finally settling down and homeschooling in Massachusetts for 14 years, with one of those years spent in Chile. Three of her children have graduated from Mount Royal, and two are still attending. Her family lives in Sunapee and attends St. Patrick’s Church in Newport.

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” - St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Reflections on Catholic Education

I remember the day I realized I wanted to become a teacher…I was in high school volunteering in a Grade 1 classroom. Helping six-year-olds learn how to read was a wonderful experience, and I knew teaching was more than just a job—it was a vocation. After high school I graduated from a four-year university honors program in Child Development and continued on to a one-year graduate teaching program, where I earned a teaching certificate for kindergarten through Grade 8 with a minor in special education. I have been teaching for twenty-three years and each year is just as exciting and rewarding as that first year I helped out in a Grade 1 classroom. Over the years I have taught all grades from kindergarten to Grade 6 and have found that children learn best when they are engaged, when the lessons are relevant and meaningful, when activities are hands-on, and when learning is challenging and fun. This knowledge has served me well across all age levels! My daughter and I came to Mount Royal Academy in 2005.  Erin began her Mount Royal career in Junior Kindergarten and is now in Grade 10. I began my Mount Royal career in kindergarten and am now in Grade 5. We have both found something very special at Mount Royal Academy. We (teachers and parents) are united in our faith and model our morals and values for our children. We begin every day with prayer and we talk to our students about God and how much He loves us. My favorite part of the day is recess (just like my students). To stand on our playground and watch the older students play with the younger students exemplifies how special our school really is. We are a family.

Mrs. Jacqueline Diebold earned an Honors Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor and Lakehead University in Canada in 1991 and 1993 respectively. She has taught elementary grades kindergarten through sixth over the past twenty-three years in Catholic schools both in Canada and the United States, and is a Teacher Advisor at the Sophia Institute for Teachers. During the last twelve years she has taught at Mount Royal Academy and is currently a fifth grade classroom teacher. Mrs. Diebold has led and organized many activities outside the classroom including chess club, coaching, field day, student virtue program, curriculum development, and team leader for NAPCIS accreditation committee. She is an active member in her parish, Our Lady of Fatima, in New London, New Hampshire, and resides with her husband and daughter in Grantham.

“Education is not the filling of the bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” - William Butler Yeats

Reflections on Catholic Education

Learning is a combination of curious wonder and hard work. God has created us with a desire to learn, understand, imagine, and create. My job as a teacher is to inspire students to learn, to explain new ideas so that students understand them, and to create an environment where imagination and creativity blossom. In a Catholic school I can also teach students about our Faith (knowledge) and nurture their love for God (inspiration). I especially love to teach history, geography, and how the Bible stories fit into history.

Mrs. Debbie Nelson earned her Elementary Education degree in 1986 and New Hampshire Special Education certification in 2020. She has taught in public and private schools, and has homeschooled her own five children for Grades K-8. Her children attended Mount Royal Academy’s high school, and are now pursuing careers in nursing, education, nuclear energy, and ministering to those with special challenges. She also has six beautiful grandchildren. Mrs. Nelson and her husband live in New London, New Hampshire, and attend Our Lady of Fatima parish.

"Be humble, be simple, and bring joy to others." - St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Reflections on Catholic Education

I was blessed to grow up in a French-Canadian city in northern Rhode Island. We had sixteen beautiful Catholic churches. I grew up across the street from St. Louis parish and Catholic school, and my upbringing was surrounded by a very strong Catholic culture that was filled with much tradition. That lifestyle grounded me in my faith from a very early age and formed my moral thinking and actions that have lasted me a lifetime. My belief is that Catholic education creates an atmosphere where love of learning, character formation, and acts of charity lay down that same foundation. Each child has his own God-given personality and talents and needs to be appreciated and valued. It is important that students be encouraged to be the best they can be while growing in the process. My role as a Catholic educator is to cooperate with God to educate the heart, mind, and soul of all my students. My intention is to bring joy, wonder, and creativity to their learning with Catholic teaching and tradition as its foundation.

Mrs. Christine Puksta attended the University of Rhode Island and Granite State College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies in Education and Training. She began her teaching career by homeschooling her four children for over ten years, as well as teaching in a Catholic homeschool cooperative. It was there that she had the opportunity to develop a course called "Kids and Cultures." The course allowed children to learn world geography in a fun, creative, and hands-on way. This opportunity opened the door for her to become the full-time substitute teacher and eventually a third grade teacher at New England Classical Academy in Claremont, New Hampshire. Mrs. Puksta is a parishioner of St. Mary's church in Claremont, where she resides. She enjoys anything that allows her to get outside including walking, snowshoeing and spending time with her growing family. Mrs. Puksta considers it a blessing to be part of the family at Mount Royal Academy and the new evangelization of the Church.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find: knock and the door will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7

Reflection on Catholic Education

As a convert to the Catholic faith, the above quote has carried me through seasons of seeking, knocking and receiving God’s blessings and grace. Since childhood I have known I wanted to be a teacher.  God used my wonder and desire as a child playing school and later as a college student, to guide me towards the Catholic faith and Catholic education.  After college, when seeking employment, the Lord led me to a Catholic school, where I began as a volunteer and eventually was hired for my first teaching position.  It was through my teaching vocation that the Lord inspired me to seek truth, and led me to my conversion to the Catholic faith.

My real teacher training began in Catholic education where I came to learn that education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue and that without virtue, education is empty and holds no meaning.  Aristotle said that wisdom begins with wonder.  For a child, everything is wonder and as an educator, my job is to open my students’ eyes to wonder, encourage their seeking of truth and lead them to wisdom.  This realization has served me as a Catholic educator in both homeschooling and teaching in the classroom and has been a catalyst of seeking and knocking, discovery, truth, and beauty.  St. Paul beautifully and simply instructs us in the way of seeking truth in Philippians 4:8 when he says, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on (wonder about) these things.”

Mrs. Rose-Fish has worked in Catholic education for over 20 years.  She is a graduate of Wheelock College in Boston, MA and the University of New England in Biddeford, ME.  Mrs. Rose-Fish lives in Newbury, NH with her husband of 32 years and two of their five children.  Mrs. Rose-Fish enjoys being outdoors, especially at the beach with her family.  She is a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Newport.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding."- Proverbs 3:5

Reflection on Catholic Education

This biblical quote has decorated my home for years. It is a constant reminder to surrender in all things; this notion of complete trust pairs nicely with the invitation presented by the surrender novena popularized by Father Don Dolindo Ruotolo. Both magnify the idea that through our human efforts, best intentions, and reason alone, we seek goods that often overlook the highest good. Or we charge forward with ideas and conclusions that, unknown to us, result in moving narrowly with incomplete understanding; thus, we naturally require extensive humility, grace, and receptiveness to peacefully and lovingly navigate uncertainties in this world. And when we trust in HIM, our soul benefits endlessly from these subsequent fruits.

For many years, I have been blessed with an ongoing Catholic formation that permeates home, work, and community. It has informed my values and brought much joy and perspective to daily life. This too has contributed to my understanding of being an educative presence. While teaching students each year, I also learn about the art of being a student. This aim of a Faith-led education is unlike a standard industrialized education in that core subjects serve not only their respective objectives, but more importantly, as the matter, means, or material utilized to encounter a higher good, specifically our identity, human nature, and vocation. We are on a road of discovery: What does this tell us about the world and ourselves? Who are we, and what are we called to do? These questions and overarching mission require careful attentiveness from both students and teacher. Therefore, I aim to help prepare our students to develop soundness of mind and a humble heart, always striving to lead with wonder in the classical sense. Faith enriches and guides the modes and motions of my work at Mount Royal, and I hope to continue fostering a spirit of inquiry, hope, joy, and dedication to the teaching profession.

Mrs. Boisvert grew up in California and first moved to New Hampshire to attend Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts; she graduated in 2020 with a Literature major with Honors and an Apostolic Catechetical Diploma. Several experiences heavily contributed to her discernment in accepting a teaching position at Mount Royal Academy. Through serving as president of the Dignitas Program at Magdalen College, partaking in a mission trip to Guatemala, and completing the Cardinal Newman Teaching Institute Internship, Mrs. Boisvert felt called to work in areas of academic support. Her time in childcare at Christ the King parish additionally aided in her familiarity and comfortability working with a range of ages.

Thankful for MRA’s vision of education, Mrs. Boisvert strives to encourage students to face challenges, expand their minds, and share in celebrating the school's mission to form the whole person. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Boisvert is working towards a Catholic Teaching accreditation through ICLE’s program.

When not on campus, Mrs. Boisvert is often in “exploration and restoration mode”: going for long walks, planning an outdoor adventure, discovering literature, cooking and experimenting with recipes, and enjoying time with friends and family. Through various experiences and mediums, she loves to encounter what many refer to in the liberal arts world as the transcendentals: the true, good, and beautiful. Mrs. Boisvert currently lives in Sunapee with her husband and happily attends both St. Joachim’s and St. Patrick’s parish.

“I began to search for a means of gaining the strength I needed to enjoy you [God], but I could not find this means until I embraced the mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ, who is a man, like them, and also rules as God over all things, blessed forever.” - St. Augustine (The Confessions, Book VII)

Reflections on Catholic Education

All education aims to give students access to truth. Technical schools present students with various true propositions on the level of the particular. Liberal arts schools are unique in that they aim to give students access to the truth itself on the level of the universal. Catholic education rises above them all and gives students access to the ineffable Truth: God himself.

This is why, as the quotation above suggests, we cannot love God by means of our own strength. The creator is too far above what mere creatures can comprehend. It is for this reason that Catholic education also integrates into student life the means of reaching that ultimate end: Jesus Christ. Only by turning to the Church, with her sacraments and prayers, are we able to see Christ. As he himself tells us, those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father because he is both God and man (Jn 14:9).

At a Catholic school, students are invited to increase their knowledge and understanding of the very highest things. This knowledge cultivates love, and love in turn forms character. Catholic education, therefore, is a powerful weapon and a life-changing gift. We should eagerly embrace it, in a spirit of gratitude, if ever we find ourselves blessed with the opportunity to participate.

Mr. Ambrose Bean grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and after high school he attended Ave Maria University in southern Florida. There he received his Bachelor of Arts in Politics with a minor in Philosophy. He remained at Ave Maria and went on to graduate in the spring of 2021 with his Master of Arts in Theology. As a university tutor, Mr. Bean developed a passion for working with students and helping them to think critically, write good essays, and better understand their faith. With an apostolic mindset and a strong desire to share the light of Christ with young Catholics, Mount Royal Academy was a perfect fit, and Mr. Bean continues to teach, coach baseball, and serve as an academic advisor. He lives with his wife in Hillsborough, New Hampshire and worships at St. Patrick's in Newport.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. . . it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously. . . And our charity must be real and costly love. . .” - C.S. Lewis, (The Weight of Glory)

Reflection on Catholic Education

Our Faith tells us that the human person is made not for this world alone, but for a life of eternal glory and union with Christ in Heaven. This belief and the hope that it inspires fuel every aspect of Catholic living—prayer, family life, work, leisure, study. . . In all areas of life, we recognize that we are made for happiness, and that this happiness comes by seeking Christ in all that we do. This reality truly awakens us to the importance and potential of each person we encounter. As C.S. Lewis writes, “There are no ordinary people.”

Holding fast to the realities of Heaven, a Catholic school joins the Church and the family in the profound mission of raising saints. It does so by forming students both spiritually and intellectually. At a Catholic school, we have the beautiful opportunity to worship God together in the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration; we are able to pray together, to encourage one another in our mission to become saints, and to support one another in a life of sacrifice and virtue. In the classroom, we are able to grow in wisdom by studying the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in all disciplines. Immersing ourselves in Scripture, in great works of literature and art, in the stories of human beings who came before us, and in the order and complexity of Creation, we grow to flourish more and more in mind, heart, and soul.

Through this intellectual and spiritual formation, we treat the human person as an immortal who is called to glory. I am extremely grateful to be a part of the beautiful mission of Catholic education, and I am excited to grow in holiness with my students and with all members of the Mount Royal community.

Mrs. Paulina Bean grew up in Meriden, Connecticut, and is the oldest of 8 children. In 2020, Mrs. Bean graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Philosophy from Ave Maria University, where she later completed a Master of Arts in Theology in May of 2021. Throughout her time at Ave Maria University, she tutored college and middle school students and worked as a substitute teacher at Mason Classical Academy in Naples, Florida. During summers between college, Mrs. Bean interned at The Federalist Society and The National Catholic Register. In 2021, Mrs. Bean moved to New Hampshire and taught 5th-8th grade theology, U.S. history, and English at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Laconia. Mrs. Bean especially loves studying the Gospels, Marian theology, and the works of C.S. Lewis, Plato, and Dante. She also has a passion for United States history and American literature, and she particularly enjoys studying the Civil War era. She currently lives in Boscawen with her husband, Ambrose, and is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Penacook. She is deeply grateful and excited to be a part of Mount Royal Academy’s mission and community.

“At the back of our brains, so to speak, there was a forgotten blaze or burst of astonishment at our own existence. The object of the artistic and spiritual life was to dig for this submerged sunrise of wonder, so that a man sitting in a chair might suddenly understand that he was actually alive, and be happy.” - G. K. Chesterton

Reflections on Catholic Education

According to Chesterton, the object of the artistic and spiritual life is to foster wonder at the beauty and majesty of creation and of life, and thus to awaken gratitude to God for the gift of life, no matter how ordinary that life may sometimes seem. I believe this is also one of the objects of Catholic education. To inspire a young person to wonder at the world and praise God is one of the greatest gifts we can give him, for these are the tools which help him live a rich human life.

St. John Henry Newman, who wrote much about education and the formation of the mind, claims that man is more than logical reason, and that knowing many facts does not necessarily lead to living a good life. In order for the whole person to be well formed, he must acknowledge the reality of God, his own fallen nature, and his need for God. Only then can a person be transformed, in order to live virtuously and to achieve his final end, which is happiness in the sight of God. This is what Catholic education should impart to students—both academic formation and formation of character. This is what a Catholic school should do—not only teach young people facts (an important thing indeed); but also help them see how those facts relate to reality; show them the beauty of truth and of creation; help them become “intelligent lovers,” as one of my college professors expressed it; and help them know, love, and serve God with their whole lives. All this can only be accomplished by digging for that “submerged sunrise of wonder.”

Miss Magdalena Dajka graduated from the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in 2020 and is working on a master’s degree in Classics through the University of Dallas. She is passionate about liberal arts studies and Catholic culture and loves leading students to encounter the beautiful traditions of Western culture. In the past, she has taught and tutored music, math, writing, and crocheting, and she is now happy to be teaching some of her favorite subjects, Latin and literature. In her free time, Miss Dajka enjoys playing music with friends, reading classic literature, crocheting doilies, taking walks among the beautiful New Hampshire scenery, and singing in the choir at St. Patrick’s in Newport.

"We aim at something better: we want to educate the children, to instruct them in their duty, to teach them to practice it, to give them a Christian spirit and attitudes and to form them to religious habits and the virtues possessed by a good Christian and a good citizen.”  - Saint Marcellin Champagnat

Reflection on Catholic Education

There was a long period of prayer and discernment about becoming a Catholic educator when God finally made the answer clear to me: "You are where you need to be." Teaching is one of the most important vocations in today's society and the weight of that responsibility will be seated in my classes as I embrace this new role. Training young minds how to think, (not what to think), using logic to develop critical thinking, and encouraging discovery through wonder are all part of the superior classical education that Mount Royal Academy provides. Yet, it is the constant orientation toward God which illuminates the pathway to knowledge here. What a blessing and an honor to be part of such a faithful Catholic school! I am truly humbled by the opportunity.

Mrs. Frost grew up in Connecticut and is the oldest of seven children. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph College, (now the University of Saint Joseph), in West Hartford, CT. Getting to know the students and families of Mount Royal Academy convinced her that it was time for a transition to a vocation of teaching. Mrs. Frost holds a place in her heart for the Dominican charism and praying the rosary. Saint Catherine of Siena is a special saint for her family, as a patroness of nurses and firefighters. She and her husband are members of Saint Patrick Parish in Newport.

“We believe that the child, more than any other, has need of love because the child himself is rich in love.” - Sofia Cavalletti

Reflections on Catholic Education

Catholic Education is unique in its understanding of freedom and its desire to make its pupils truly free. Unlike a freedom which seeks the impossible void of external influence, Catholic education understands the inseparable relationship between freedom and Love and the truth that God, who is Love, is three persons, thus modeling our need for “influence.” Catholic educators are called to be a positive influence and to love their students into a life of holiness which leads to a deeper and richer freedom. Students of Catholic Education are empowered by this influence to know God through the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. Sophia Cavaletti, creator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, says that, in the atrium, Jesus is the Teacher and the catechist is there to create an environment where the student can encounter the Teacher. Though not all of Catholic education is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, I think the principle ought to stand in all classrooms. Through all my years in Catholic education, both as a student and a teacher, it is clear to me that Christ has consistently been my Teacher. He has been the one planting seeds, tending the soil, and harvesting the fruits of my heart. I am so very grateful and deeply honored to have been invited by Him to be His instrument in this very same work in the lives of others.

Mrs. Annie Hamilton is from Western Massachusetts and has been a part of Catholic Education her whole life. After studying theology and political science at Providence College in Rhode Island, Mrs. Hamilton completed a master’s degree in theology through the University of Notre Dame's Echo program. Mrs. Hamilton’s work experience began in parish faith formation and was fruitful and fulfilling, but her passion has always been for teaching. She is thrilled to be a part of such an intentionally Catholic community of learners, and to be able to grow and develop alongside the MRA family. Mrs. Hamilton resides in Newport with her daughter and husband, and is a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish.

“Faith in action is love—and love in action is service.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

Reflections on Catholic Education

I was raised in a non-denominational Christian church, and as I got older, began searching for answers that I couldn’t find in my own faith experience. With a strong faith in God and a strong desire to know the truth, I learned that what I was seeking was the Catholic faith. I was confirmed Catholic on Easter Sunday of 2000. When my husband and I started our family, I vowed that I would raise my children to know and love the Truth, and I promised myself that no matter what the personal sacrifice, I would give them an authentic Catholic education. What that meant to me was that I wanted them to be immersed in the truth and rich history of the Catholic faith. I wanted them to experience the sacraments as often as possible, and to feel comfortable exploring who they truly were as Catholics and as young men and women. Most importantly, I wanted them to be surrounded by adults who were happily living and infectiously spreading their faith. As a teacher at Mount Royal, this is the joy and infectiousness that I hope to share with all of the students that I encounter each day. Teaching is not just about sharing a subject that you love, but about serving those who you are asked to share it with. Algebra and Geometry are important to each child’s future, but even more important is what type of person they will become.

Mrs. Kelly Ouellette has been teaching junior high and high school math and science at MRA for six years. She has a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University. Before coming to MRA as a long-term sub in 2010, Mrs. Ouellette worked as a chemical engineer, using extensive math skills every day! She loves to share her joy and the challenge of learning math with the students of Mount Royal. While math can be difficult for many students, she seeks to break down the complexity in order to reach all students. Mrs. Ouellette converted to Catholicism fifteen years ago, and enjoys learning and sharing her faith with others every day. She lives in Newbury, New Hampshire, with her husband, Allen, and six children.

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” - St. Teresa of Calcutta

Reflection on Catholic Education

 Personally, these are living, breathing words that continue to inspire me to strive to bring others closer to Christ through joy and love. Catholic education opens the opportunity for God to use educators as an instrument of His love, to provide an avenue to truly profess the faith. Continually, it enriches the soul of the student to understand and see through the eyes of Christ, form the ability to serve the Church with the hands of Christ, and fully love others with the heart of Christ.

Catholic education uniquely prioritizes the whole person as the subject of formation because God designed us as mind, body, and spirit. Each of these elements need nurturing in order to flourish. This is why I chose to pursue a liberal arts education myself, because I desired to further my education in a way that I believe is holistic, one that focuses not just on intellect, but also on forming the whole person. Mount Royal Academy shares this same mission as it strives to educate the whole person, one student at a time. It is through this way of learning that a deeper understanding of our relationship with God, ourselves, and the world around us is gained. When these pursuits are successful, God’s love is fully able to shine through, allowing for His love to be spread everywhere, leaving everyone around it happier.

Ms. Audrey Puksta graduated in 2023 from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in Theology. During her time at Saint Anselm, she was highly involved in the Office of Campus Ministry. There, Ms. Puksta found a love for working in ministry after serving as a Peer Minister on campus for a period of time. Her passion for soccer led me to earn a spot on the Women’s Club soccer team at Saint Anselm, as well as accept the position of Assistant Coach for Mount Royal’s girls soccer team. She is very excited to start her teaching career at Mount Royal Academy and serve God through the ministry of Catholic education. Ms. Puksta enjoys journaling, doing any type of outdoor activity, exercising, spending time with family and friends, teaching herself guitar, cooking, and deepening her faith through different forms of prayer and reflection.

Do not have anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you.” - St. John Baptiste de La Salle

Reflections on Catholic Education

Serving the community as an educator is not a job, but a vocation. There is no greater vocation in the Catholic Church than to teach the youth of our communities. Young adults educated in Catholic schools are separated from their peers in secular schools by the unique skills inherent within Catholic education. Catholic education strives to form the whole person; heart, soul and mind.

Mr. Christopher Whitty has over twenty-five years of experience in education. He has served as a science teacher, a coach and an administrator at both Catholic and public schools. He also has experience in the corporate world, having served as an administrator in the medical field for over twenty years.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from Framingham State University, a Master of Education in Leadership and Educational Management from Fitchburg State University and a Certificate of Advanced Leadership Studies from the LaSallian Institute of Graduate Theology and Ministry at LaSalle University. Mr. Whitty recently moved to New Hampshire with his wife so he could be closer to his grandchildren.

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." - Artist Marc Chagall

Reflections on Catholic Education

Family, beauty, and holiness are, to me, the greatest treasures. A faithful Catholic school is a community, an extended family, which cares about these things and lives them. On my first visit to Mount Royal Academy, my heart was lifted at the sight of lovely, sunlit classrooms, and the beautiful chapel with the reserved sacrament. On my first day of teaching, I saw students being patient and good humored with each other's foibles, and older students helping young ones. As a convert and professional singer, I believe part of my calling is to try to bring more beauty into the liturgy, the Church, and school. As a Catholic and a mother, I try to aim for holiness every day, and to encourage my children and my students in that same effort. Holiness, beauty, family. As a long-time homeschooling Catholic mom of six, I'm happy and at home in this Mount Royal Family.

Mrs. Katherine Yost has a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Duke University in music and literature, and coursework towards an Master of Arts from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English. She teaches art and choir classes at Mount Royal and Magdalen College, and is soprano section leader at St. Denis in Hanover. She was Organist/Choir Director of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sherman, Texas, and sang with the Chancel Choir of the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas and the Choir of the Church of the Advent in Boston. She has been a soloist at many churches in the Dallas and Boston areas. Mrs. Yost designed and taught courses in High School Drawing and Sacred Music at Our Lady of Fatima High School Co-op in Irving, Texas. Her artwork has been sold in gift shops in Dallas and Boston. She studied organ and voice with Fenner Douglass, Peter Williams, William Porter and Ellen Hargis, sang with Convivium Musicum, and founded Saxa, an a cappella sacred music choir, while working at the Harvard Institute for International Development in the 90s. She homeschools her children using the Mother of Divine Grace curriculum, edits doctoral theses for Top Notch Editing Service, and is a five-star-rated Wyzant.com tutor. As a Catholic convert, she has a particular passion for bringing the best in music and art to the practice of our faith.

"Thy whole creation ceaseth not, nor is silent in Thy praises... that so our souls may from their weariness arise towards Thee, leaning on those things which Thou hast created, and passing on to Thyself, who madest them wonderfully; and there is refreshment and true strength. "- St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions Ch V

Reflection on Catholic Education 

The duty of Catholic education is, in part, to elicit from and reinforce in the child their innate, God-given sense of wonder. This fundamentally human sense is how we, as mere creatures, can come to appreciate how all knowable things are from God, to God, and for God. As a young man, I found God after a nominally Catholic youth by way of feeding and reflecting on this innate wonder. I am pleased to be a part of Mount Royal Academy where, God willing, I may aid other souls in like manner.

Mr. Byron Hamilton has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Graphic Design from California State University, Fresno. Beyond college, his art background includes a term of study in the form of a traditional atelier school, with industry professionals from Imaginism Studios acting as Master to his Apprentice. His portfolio content ranges from computer games to children's books. Mr. Hamilton has taught faith formation courses in Florida and served in RCIA and other ministries in his homeland of Houston, Texas. Before his current position at Mount Royal Academy, he was employed there as substitute teacher, admissions/marketing assistant, and humanities teacher. Mr. Hamilton and his wife reside in Newport with their daughter, and are parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish.

“Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. It is not surprising, then, that in Him all the aforementioned truths find their root and attain their crown.” - Gaudium et Spes, 22

Reflection on Catholic Education

All truth is rooted in and crowned with Christ Himself. He radiates in and through truth, simply insofar as it is true. Thus, the vocation of a teacher is to allow Christ to shine forth. The teacher does not create or define truth nor does he deliver it as if it is some packaged good, capable of being contained. The teacher co-operates with Christ in each lesson communicated. Whether the lesson being taught is a grammar quiz or how to navigate the school day, the teacher is an instrument of Christ revealing Himself in truth.

The easiest way for the teacher to attend well to this co-operation is to see, as St. John Paul II does above, that imitating Christ’s love does the work of placing truth in its proper place. The teacher, then, must imitate Christ’s love. For Christ, that meant self-gift by dying on the Cross. For the teacher, that self-gift can look as particular as saying hello in the morning to as broad as keeping the classroom well-ordered. The teacher is a presence in the lives of the students, and everything communicated by the teacher is an expression of his self-gift for the students. In being attentive to this, the teacher allows Christ to radiate through his work, calling the students forth to a higher understanding of truth than could ever otherwise be attained.

Ms. Hogan is an alumna of Mount Royal Academy, graduating in the Class of 2019. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a concentration in History and an Apostolic Catechetical Diploma from Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in 2023. During her time at Magdalen, Ms. Hogan visited Mount Royal to serve in various capacities, including as an intern through the Cardinal Newman Teaching Institute.

Ms. Hogan has long had a passion for education. Her family has been involved in Mount Royal since its second year. Over those years, she has seen many generous souls pour themselves into the mission of the school. She hopes to imitate those sacrifices in serving as teacher and coach. Ms. Hogan lives in Newport and attends St. Patrick Parish

“A Christian education does not merely strive for the maturing of a human person…but has as its principal purpose this goal: that the baptized, while they are gradually introduced the knowledge of the mystery of salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of Faith they have received, and that they learn in addition how to worship God the Father in spirit and truth…also that they develop into perfect manhood, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ.”- Gravissimum Educationis

Reflection on Catholic Education

The Second Vatican Council states that Catholic education is ultimately Christocentric. This means that since Christ is the author of creation all subjects are a reflection of Him. The purpose of Catholic education is to instruct the ignorant and love learning for its own sake because it reflects Christ. Many other educational disciplines focus on the utilitarian aspect of education, and attempt to answer questions such as “why do we need to learn this?” or “when will we use this?” However, while Catholic education can answer these questions it chooses to order those questions properly. Catholic education transforms questions of utility into questions pertaining to our final end such as “what does this say about our role in creation and who Christ is?” and “how does this sanctify us?”. I believe that Catholic education not only prompts students to ponder deep questions, but also shows that education happens in and outside of the classroom. While it is great that students have a strong intellectual life, a strong spiritual life is also important. The thoughts students have in class are all for naught if they do not end in prayer. As Hans Urs Von Balthasaar wrote, “Theology is done on one’s knees”. I have taken this quote to heart  throughout my life and it has extended beyond Theology. Ultimately I see it as learning not for the sake of vanity, but for the sake of meditating on who Christ is. Therefore, as an educator I believe my role in Catholic education is to be a conduit of God’s grace by bringing students to prayer.

Mr. John Morales grew up in Rhode Island and went to college at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 2023 he graduated with a bachelor of arts in Theology, and began to discern the call of teaching. For two years he served for the St. Thomas More Teaching Fellows which seek to revitalize Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Boston. While in Boston John was very involved in his Parish Young Adult Group at St. Mary of the Assumption in Brookline, MA. He now attends St. Patrick’s in Newport. In his free time Mr. Morales enjoys spending lots of time outside trying to walk on off-beaten paths or staying inside and playing music.

“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure. He alone can give full meaning to life, he alone is the center of history. Live by him! With Mary! With your Saints!” - Pope St. John Paul II

Reflection on Catholic Education

The purpose of an authentic Catholic Education is to prepare its pupils to embark on the “wonderful adventure” to which St. John Paul the Great refers.  Though it naturally produces free-thinking, truth seeking, moral, passionate and productive members of society, the primary aim of Catholic education is to partner with families in forming and equipping future saints for the adventure for which they were created.  A Catholic education calls the courageous, points the inquisitive to the truth for which they yearn, identifies and develops God-given gifts, and instructs along the pathways of beauty, wonder, and awe.  Most of all, an authentic Catholic education encourages students to seek with their whole hearts the very face of The Christ who loves them into being and beckons them to follow the Eternal Way of truth and life - a most wonderful adventure, indeed.

For the past eleven years, Mr. Wesley Becklo has worked professionally as a teacher, evangelist, storyteller and youth minister in various Catholic parishes and schools across New Hampshire and on Cape Cod.  After earning a BA in Theatre at St. Michael's College, Mr. Becklo lived for six years in New York City pursuing acting, playwriting, and directing while studying with the legendary acting coach, Mr. Robert X. Modica in midtown Manhattan.  It was during that time an abiding passion for the Catholic faith was rekindled in him, and inspired by the call of the New Evangelization, he vigorously delved into the Catholic intellectual tradition, ultimately sending him on the adventure which has led him to Mount Royal Academy.  Mr. Becklo currently enjoys reading great books, watching excellent films, writing fiction, poetry, and plays, swimming in lakes where he often spends hours pretending to be either a dolphin, manatee, or shark (depending on mood), playing make-believe with his daughter, Evangeline, and losing nearly every night in Jeopardy! to his brilliant and beautiful wife, Marie. His family will be residing in Alexandria, NH and are looking forward to finding their new parish home in the near future.  

"Never worry about numbers.  Help one at a time, and always start with those nearest you." - St. Teresa of Calcutta

Reflection on Catholic Education

The education of a human being is life-long.  It cannot be done quickly and it must not be utilitarian.  In schools, we work in classrooms, not emergency rooms, and the time we have is sacred, not urgent.  As St. Teresa says, our task is to help one child at a time, and we do that by respecting the child’s time.  The Holy Spirit is the most powerful teacher there is, and Catholic teachers have the tremendous blessing of cooperating with Him in the classroom.  He is the Shepherd, and all we need to do is listen to His voice, trusting that His time is perfect and he loves His little lambs even more than we do. My vocation as a teacher is to love those nearest to me in the little ways that I can and to invite them to contemplate truth.  St. Therese of Lisieux, one of my best friends in heaven, says that “love comprises all vocations, love is everything, it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal!” and “When one loves, one does not calculate.”  The gift of Catholic education is that we can take the eternal view.  Our one hope is that our students will be saints of God one day, but how exactly that happens is up to the Holy Spirit.

Mrs. Marie Becklo is a wife, mother, teacher, and singer and has over 10 years of teaching experience at a variety of grade levels.  She began her teaching career as a Rhode Island Teaching Fellow in a public school and since then has worked at multiple Catholic elementary schools.  She was fortunate to have attended a variety of different schools growing up (including a Charlotte Mason homeschool and a boarding school), and is thankful for the broad experience.  Mrs. Becklo is also an accomplished singer and actor and has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Barnard College of Columbia University.  Originally from Andover, Massachusetts, Mrs. Becklo met her husband while she was living in Manhattan and accepting that she didn’t want the life of a professional actor.  Mrs. Becklo lives with her husband, Wesley, and daughter, Evangeline, in Alexandria, New Hampshire and is excited to be back near lakes!  

Ms. Cappiello earned her degree in Health Science from NHTI and comes to Mount Royal Academy with over a decade of administrative experience in both the legal and healthcare settings. She began her career in Connecticut, where she supported the legal counsel at the Knights of Columbus for many years, and later assisted many doctors and nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital and other medical centers. Most recently, she served as the Program Coordinator for the Director of Heart and Vascular Research at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Having attended a Catholic elementary and high school, Ms. Cappiello deeply values the role of faith in education and is grateful for the opportunity to continue that tradition at Mount Royal Academy.  She now resides in Andover with her family and is excited to contribute her professional skills while supporting the schools mission of providing a faith-filled education.

Grace Mather, the oldest of seven children, first spent her growing up years on a small New Hampshire farm, haying, gardening and raising livestock. This grew early on in her not just an appreciation for hard work but also a nurturing spirit toward those who are young and vulnerable, whether animals or people. Her love for the natural world carried over into her family's move to an off-grid home deep in the woods where she was homeschooled through middle school. She attended Mount Royal Academy in high school where her faith was deepened and her path was made more clear. While still a student at Mount Royal she was given the opportunity to do an internship where she spent time with students in the elementary school. Her time with younger students was formative and inspired her to pursue a career in education. She spent several years working in the public school system as a paraeducator before joyfully returning to Mount Royal Academy to work at the place where these seeds of calling were first planted in her heart. She is working on a Psychology degree from Grand Canyon University as part of her ultimate goal of getting her certifications in special education. When not at work or studying, Ms. Mather enjoys traditional English dances, playing her fiddle, crocheting and especially spending time with her horses, Captain and Do-Si-Do.

Mr. Crummer came from Wyoming after graduating High School to attend a ministry intern program based in Sutton, NH. After completing this program he stayed on as an instructor, eventually earning his ministerial ordination in 2009. Mr. Crummer has since traveled all over the world serving the Lord as a minister of the gospel. After 15 years in the trades, as a finish carpenter, he found his place serving full time at Mount Royal Academy. Mr. Crummer is in his 3rd year as high school varsity basketball coach, second year as Physical Education teacher and now most recently Athletic Director. Mr. Crummer currently lives in New London, NH. When he is not at the school, his church or on the basketball court, he can probably be located on the mountain trails training for or racing ultra marathons.