FACULTY
The faculty of St. Gregory the Great come from a variety of backgrounds both within and without the education world. Each faculty member is committed to our vision of preparing Catholic students with the necessary skills to serve their family, country, and God
Michael DeVos
Director, P.E., Health
Michael DeVos graduated from Trine University with his Bachelor of Science in Education. He has been in education for over 15 years. Various leadership roles and teaching experiences, working in summer education programs, and coaching multiple sports at the high school and middle school levels has prepared Michael for his next role as the director of St. Gregory the Great Academy. He and his wife Sara have four children. Together, they enjoy family bike rides, playing soccer, and board games.
Chris DeVos
Religion
Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Tri State University. He has taught in Catholic schools for nearly 20 years. He teaches adult catechism classes and in recent years has lectured on traditional Catholic doctrines across the United States. He is fervent defender of the doctrines of the Church.
Sean Varga
Latin, Literature, Math
Sean taught for two years at a diocesan school from 2020-2022. He then transitioned to work in Catholic media and educational materials, whilst
at the same time teaching catechism classes at St. John Fisher and volunteering at a local home school cooperative association. He graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Music, and he is the assistant director and lead cantor for the St. John Fisher Choir. He has always had a passion for teaching and is very excited to help the next generation excel both in and out of the classroom.
Elizabeth Franzen
Elementary
Elizabeth Franzen is a 2015 graduate of The Holy Name of Jesus Academy, a Catholic School located in upstate New York, and run by the Traditional Dominican Sisters of Fanjeaux. After graduation she was a teacher's assistant at Saint Dominic School, the "sister" Dominican School to her "Alma Mater" in Post Falls, ID, for two years. She was a teacher's assistant at Saint John Vianney Academy (an SSPX school in Long Prairie, MN) for one year, and a third grade Homeroom Teacher at Padre Pio Academy (SSPX school) in Ridgefield, CT. She has also been a tutor for homeschooling children for a year. She enjoys reading, crocheting, sewing and arranging flowers.
Jenny Schroeder
Elementary
Jenny graduated from The Ohio State University in 1993, with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She held various substitute teacher positions after graduating. Jenny was a long-term substitute teacher for Home-economics and Early Childhood Development at Ottawa-Glandorf High School, Ottawa, Ohio, from 1993-1994. From 2008-2010 she taught first grade as well as seventh and eighth Religion and History at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal School at St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Recently, she has taught first through third grades at our Homeschool Co-op from 2023 to the present. Jenny homeschooled her older children and is currently homeschooling her youngest child. She is married to Mr. Lee Schroeder. They have nine children, two grandchildren, and one on the way! Her hobbies are gardening, keeping mason and leaf cutter bees, competing in gingerbread competitions, and playing pickleball. She and her family have been assisting at Mass at St. John Fisher Catholic Church for 28 years.
Dr. Mark T. Carnes, PhD, PE
Mathematics
After a 30 year career as an electronics design engineer in both the Defense Department and the private sector, Dr. Carnes became a professor of Engineering Technology at Purdue University for the next 15 years. He holds two Bachelors degrees from the University of Notre Dame in Electrical Engineering and Liberal Arts. He completed a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan. In 2016, he completed a PhD in Engineering Education at Purdue University. He has always had a passion for teaching, and he and his wife Catharine homeschooled their 8 children for over 30 years. He was raised Catholic and has been devoted to Tradition for over 40 years. He is also a professed Third Order Dominican.
Mary-Claire Escalante
Virtual Elementary Teacher
Information to come.
Linda Mahoney
Virtual Kindergarten
Information to come.
Stephen Neeck
Literature, Math, Latin
Stephen Neeck graduated from St. Mary's College in 2019 with an associate's degree in liberal arts. He then attended the SSPX seminary in Dillwyn, Virginia, for two years before discerning his vocation to the married life. He went on to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Western Governors University. Stephen is excited to bring his background in the liberal arts, his immersion in classical education, and his passion for entrepreneurship to his new role as a teacher. In his free time, he enjoys playing a variety of instruments, traveling with his wife, Gemma, and cooking.
Joseph LaForest
History
Joseph LaForest received his Masters of Arts in Political Science from Hillsdale College's Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship in May 2025. There, he studied the American School of Economics, Natural Law, and ancient as well as modern philosophy. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and he got his bachelor's degree at Saint Vincent College. He enjoys reading, running, and roadtrips for his downtime.
Gemma Neeck
Elementary
Gemma is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and St. Mary's College. Since graduating in 2018, she has worked at St. Mary's Academy as a Teacher's Assistant, 5th Grade Teacher, and Middle School History Teacher. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, traveling with her husband Stephen, and growing houseplants.
Francis Nwadibia
Literature, Math
For over two decades and across two hemispheres, Francis, being faithful to the teachings of Christ, as elucidated by St. Thomas Aquinas and Archbishop Lefebvre, has had the privilege of instructing students from diverse backgrounds. He has directed, from start to finish, two exquisite productions of two full-text Shakespeare plays, and countless talent shows. In his spare time, he will take on any challenge to reach to the so-called unreachable student, using complete methods of teaching. His wife and children are absolute helpers in this regard.
Joseph Peace
Science, Literature,
Joseph Peace is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, where he received his BS in Manufacturing Technology and Engineering with a concentration in Management, and a Minor in Music. Since graduation, he has spent the majority of his career in the Automotive and Aerospace industries working as an Engineer, while also taking time to work as a Brew Master and as a manager at a Meat Processing Facility. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, hunting, woodworking, and reading to his wife and soon-to-be two sons.
Board of Directors
We are governed by a robust team of faithful Traditional Catholics who are committed to ensuring the proper management of St. Gregory the Great Academy.
Jason Sager
President
Secretary
Cole Crismore
Treasurer
Brandon Ruth
Board Member
Justin Blanchard
Vice President