Faculty & Staff
Dr. Dan Guernsey, Ed.D. - Headmaster
Dr. Guernsey is a graduate of the Saint Ignatius Institute (a classical great books program) at the Jesuit University of San Francisco where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. He holds a Master’s degree in English from U. C. Berkeley, and a Master’s degree in school administration from CSU Fresno. He earned his Doctorate in Education at Eastern Michigan University, specializing in educational leadership. He has 17 year's experience working in Catholic schools, both nationally and internationally, from kindergarten to graduate school, as a teacher, consultant, principal, dean, and president. He serves on the board of the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools, (NAPCIS), which provides consulting and accreditation services for more than 150 independent Catholic schools across the nation. He has also helped develop Ave Maria Missions, a sponsorship program which provides scholarships for the poor to attend Catholic schools in Honduras and in the United States. Dr. Guernsey speaks widely on the topic of Catholic education and is the author of Adoration, Eucharistic Texts and Prayers Throughout Church History, (Ignatius Press, 1995).
Dr. Jon Beane, Ph.D, - Academic Dean - Math and Humanities Instructor Grades 9-12
Dr. Beane completed undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Philosophy at Roosevelt University in Chicago and then earned a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. Ten years of his career was spent teaching at Trinity School in Minnesota, a highly regarded 7-12 grade classical academy. His strong background in math, philosophy and linguistics has been put to use over the years by teaching a variety of courses for grades 7-12, including Humanities, Theology, Mathematics, Latin, Greek, and French. Dr. Beane has also taught Philosophy and Freshman Writing Seminar as an adjunct professor at Notre Dame. He brings a wealth of practical teaching experience at the high school level as well as years of thoughtful experience in developing and implementing a classical education.
Mr. Marc Snyder, M.A. - Dean of Formation and Science Grades 5-12
Mr. Snyder earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. He then earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy while exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood. Discerning his call was to the married life, he pursued a teaching career and secured his Professional Educator’s Certification from the state of Florida in Biology 6th-12th grades and Elementary Education K-6th. He has six year's experince teaching science in Catholic schools at the middle and high school levels. He recently completed a Master of Science degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University and is now in Doctoral Studies.
Mr. Clayton Tucker, B.A., - Latin 7-12, Logic, & Math 5-7
Mr. Tucker earned his Bachelor of Arts from Montreat College in North Carolina. He was a founding faculty member of Veritas Christian Academy where he worked for 10 years teaching Latin, Math, Logic and History. He now brings his professional experience and love for Latin to the founding of this classical school.
Mr. Tyler Graham, M.A., High School Humanities and Theology
Mr. Graham earned his Bachelor of Arts in Honors Humanities at Stanford University in 1995 and his Master of Arts in religious studies at Syracuse University in 1998. He taught at preparatory schools, teaching math and English for 11 years, and recently received a Masters Degree in Theological Studies through Ave Maria University's Institute for Pastoral Theology.
Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez Ph.D, - Physics
Dr. Rodriguez earned his Bachellor of Arts and his Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics. His Ph.D. is in High Energy Physics from Iowa State. He is currently a full time professor at Ave Maria Unvieristy in the Department of Math and Physics.
Mrs. Linda Fox, B.A., - Grade 2
Mrs. Fox graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio Dominican College with degrees in Theology and English as well as a teaching certificate. She has taught high school Theology and served as an assistant Director of Religious Education. Both homeschooling and catechetical work in a parish setting have kept her busy prior to her teaching at the Donahue Academy.
Mrs. Cynthia Snyder, M.A. - Kindergarten
Mrs. Snyder graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, as well as a Certification in English as a Second Language. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Primary/Pre-Kindergarten Education from the University of Miami. She lived in Spain where she attended La Universidad Autonoma de Madrid and received certification in the Spanish language. She has 11 year's experience teaching Catholic schools in Pre-primary through second grade. A native Floridian with a Colombian and Cuban background, she speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Her love for language and travel is complimented by a love for art which she incorporates in her classroom.
Mrs. Robin Quastler, B.A. - Grade 1
Mrs. Quastler earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She also has graduate courses in Curriculum Instruction and Education from the University of Missouri in Kansas City where she taught in elemenatry schools for fifteen years. She has enjoyed teaching in small Catholic schools throughout the United States, working with home school groups, tutoring, and preparing both children and adults for reception of the sacraments. Her years of experience have also included teaching in Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Louisiana, Kansas and Missouri.
Sister Mary Margaret O.P., M.A. - Grade 3
Sr. Mary Margaret entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in California, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate from Eastern Michigan University. She is currently working toward her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a native of Denver, Colorado where she has taught at a diocesan elementary school as well as schools run by her religious community in Michigan.
Sister Joseph Maria O.P., B.A. - Grade 6,
Sr. Joseph Maria earned her Bachellor of Arts in Spanish with minor in Sociology from St. John Fisher College in Rhode Island. She earned her teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Sister Theresa Benedicta, O.P., M.A. - Grade 11 Humanities; Grade 7-12 Theology
Sister Theresa Benedicta earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Eastern Michigan. She also Thomas Aquinas college in California. She also earned a Masters degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America. She earned her teaching credential from Eastern Michigan University. Sister has written and hosted the Catechetical series "Truth in the Heart" on EWTN.
Mrs. Kathy Guerra, B.A., - Grade 5
Mrs. Guerra grew up in Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Williams College, majoring in Political Science with a concentration in History. She taught grades 6-9 at an independent boarding school before moving to Florida. Her professional experience includes teaching History, Geography, and Government, as well as tutoring international students in Grammar and Math. Her other interests include politics, sports (Red Sox Fan!) and baking--especially when she gets to enjoy these with her family.
Mrs. Pam DeWitt B.A., - Grade 7 and 8 Humanities; High School Economics
Mrs. De Witt attended school in Wisconsin and in Arizona earning a Bachelors of Art in English with a concentration in American Literature and in the area of writing along with a minor studies in American History from the University of Wisconsin. A non-tradiitonal student, Mrs. De Witt earned her teaching license from Carthage College after having four children. Coming to Donahue for a twefth year of teaching, Mrs. De Witt has taught English and Social Studies in high school and middle school, as well as being a self-contained 5th grade teacher inWisconsin. The Lord has led Coach and Mrs. De Witt to Ave Maria and blessed them with the opportunity to stay as working members of a faithful community.
Sr. Kathryn SHM, B.A.,-Spanish Grades 1-5
Sr. Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature from Ave Maria University in Naples and is a native of Augusta, Georgia. She has been with the Hogar de la Madre sisters since 2006.
Miss Jennifer Klucinec , B.A., - Grade 4
Miss Klucinec graduated from Magdalen College with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and also has a Catechetical Degree. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in Catholic schools where she has taught grades K - 8, with a specific love for teaching Religion, English Grammar and History. She has recently moved to Naples from the Chicago area, but was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Dallas. She is also a sports enthusiast as well as a musician.
Mrs. Jennifer Barley, M.A. Academic Counselor and Resource Teacher
Mrs. Jennifer Barley grew up in East Detroit and was blessed to have lived with her Great Grandma, Grandma, parents and little sister, while attending Catholic schools. She completed her undergraduate studies in the area of Psychology at Michigan State University. Mrs. Barley is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Education and Masters degree in Special Education. She taught in a 6th grade resource room in Goodrich, Michigan for four years before moving with her family to sunny Naples (her husband being a Naples native). Before coming to the Donahue Academy, Mrs. Barley educated third graders within our county. However, she is so blessed to have come full circle and be back in a wonderful Catholic school and community once again.
Mrs. Janet DeLiso, B.A., - Admissions Director
Mrs. DeLiso earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Governor's State University in the Chicago area where she grew up. Mrs. Deliso was a Technical Sergeant in the Illinois Air National Guard for nine years working as an electronics mechanic. She is very involved in 4-H and the Collier County Fair. She and her husband Vito have lived in Naples since 1994 and have four children.
Mrs. Mary Beane,B.B.A, M.S., M.A., - Office Manager
Having earned a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, Mrs. Beane worked in banking and international finance for twelve years, acquiring an M.S. in computer science along the way from the University of Minnesota. In 1994, she entered the graduate program in Theology at Notre Dame, completing an M.A. in Systematic Theology in 1995, and meeting Dr. Jon Beane, whom she married the weekend before graduation. After moving back to Minnesota, she worked in the Registrar's office at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul for two years, leaving to become a full-time homeschooling mom for her three children, Monica, Clare, and John Paul.
Mrs. Melissa Steele B.A., - Music Grades 5-12
Mrs. Steele studied vocal performance and opera for nine years before 
transferring to Ave Maria University in 2007 to complete a Bachelor of Arts in sacred music. She has five year's experience teaching piano, voice, and music theory, as well as coaching children's choirs. She is an avid performer and has been on stage many times in musical theatre, choral, and dance productions.
Mrs. Kathy Dittus, B.A., - Music Grades K-4
Mrs. Dittus graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education. Following graduation, she worked as an actuarial assistant in Insurance Services Office in New York City. She has participated in many liturgical groups in parishes and has led children's choirs and contemporary groups in several parishes. She has enjoyed sharing her love for children and music in Vacation Bible Schools and Children's Liturgy of the Word. She taught music at Pinecrest Academy in Georgia during the 1993-1994 school year. She enjoys singing, playing guitar and composing music. Her song "Come to Me" is featured on a CD of the Messages of Medjugorje produced by the Mary our Mother Foundation.
Mr. Jim Carletta, B.A.,- Physical Education Grades 1-12
Mr. Carletta earned his Bachellor of Arts in Finance from St. Cloud University in Minnesota. He is a Youth Fitness Specialist who in addition to teaching PE, coaches boys basketball and football.
Mrs. Mary Claire Dant, M.A., - Media Specialist
Mrs. Dant has lived in Florida since she was two years old. She has her B.A. degree from Barry University and her M.L.S. from the University of South Florida. She thought she was retired from the Collier County School system after 25 years, but then decided she loved children too much to stay away. So she is now at the Donahue Academy on a part-time basis working in the library. She is the mother of three and grandmother of 5.
Mrs. Dawn Carletta, B.A., Classroom Aid
Mrs. Carletta earned her B.A. degree from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota in 1991. She worked in the Human Resources field as a manager for three years until children came along. They keep family together by having her husband, P.E. teacher Jim Carletta, and their four children, Marissa, Jake, Joey, and Gianna all at the Donahue Academy.