We send them forth formed and free

Mr. Michael Westhead serves as Principal and Dean of the High School at Regina Luminis Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Marine Science from Slippery Rock University, where his studies included field research in coastal Virginia, San Salvador in the Bahamas, and Roatán, Honduras. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked with Mote Marine Laboratory on coral reef restoration and aquaculture projects in the Florida Keys and later taught at marine science institutes in Florida and California.

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Before joining Regina Luminis Academy, Mr. Westhead taught Biology, Marine Science, and Biotechnology at the Hun School of Princeton. His experience as both a scientist and educator has contributed to his conviction that the study of the natural world belongs within a broader pursuit of truth and should ultimately lead students toward a deeper appreciation of the order and intelligibility of creation.

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Mr. Westhead’s work in Catholic education is rooted in a commitment to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of young people. In 2019, he served as an Immaculata Fellow with LifeSite and participated in pro-life and Catholic conferences in Rome. In addition to his work at Regina Luminis Academy, he has taught catechism at his parish and contributed to The Daily Knight, a Catholic newspaper.

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As Principal, Mr. Westhead seeks to advance Regina Luminis Academy’s mission of forming students through a rigorous classical education grounded in the Catholic faith, cultivating in them a love for truth, goodness, and beauty and preparing them to live their vocations with wisdom, courage, and fidelity.

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Mrs. Marybeth Brehany has served RLA in many capacities since she and her husband John enrolled the youngest three of their seven children in 2010. She has been a volunteer, the office manager, a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist, the 7th and 8th grade religion teacher, a high school theology teacher and student advisor, and head of school. Currently, Mrs. Brehany serves as Dean of the Early Learning Center. Marybeth graduated from the University of San Francisco and the Saint Ignatius Institute Great Books Program with a BA in History. She earned her MA in Religious Studies with an emphasis in catechesis from the Notre Dame Catechetical Institute and was also awarded an Advanced Apostolic Diploma in Catechetics from the Congregation for the Clergy. She is a trained Life Teen Youth Minister and a certified Levels I, II, and III CGS catechist. She is a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Church in Upper Uwchlan. Marybeth is honored to be involved in the education and formation of our RLA students.

Miss Rebecca Castagno has been a part of the RLA community for 7 years. She taught a combined 1st/2nd class for 3 years. She serves as Dean of the Lower School and as 2nd grade teacher. She completed her student teaching as a first grade teacher at Cardinal John Foley school in Havertown. She has also worked with children from infant to pre-school as a lead teacher at The Goddard School in Plymouth Meeting. During her college years, she was a lead teacher at Saint Patrick’s PREP program in Malvern for second, fourth, and fifth grade. Being a Regina Coeli Academy graduate, Miss Castagno is a proud product of the classical education curriculum and enjoys bringing this joy of classical education to each and every child. She is a firm believer of the “educating the whole child” philosophy and integrates this into her daily pedagogy. Rebecca’s favorite part about teaching is creating meaningful relationships with her students and supporting their diverse learning needs. Rebecca is a current parishioner of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Norristown, PA.

Mrs. Jacqueline Fusco has been teaching Science at Regina Luminis Academy for eight years. Mrs. Fusco serves as Dean of the Middle School. Mrs. Fusco has taught science and math for grades 1 - 9 in a classroom setting for more than 8 years with the Living Bridges Educational Program. She earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree while attending Nursing School. Mrs. Fusco also serves RLA in her capacity as a registered nurse. She lives in Trooper with her four youngest children. Her family has belonged to Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish where she has been active and blessed for more than two decades.

Ms. Minson earned her degree in Art History and Classical Studies with an Ancient Studies concentration from Hollins University, graduating summa cum laude and joining Phi Beta Kappa, Eta Sigma Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. She has served as a Seton Teaching Fellow in the Bronx, developing as a teacher with Christ the Teacher as her model. She then created and implemented an Ancient Greek course, alongside other courses, at Lumen Gentium Academy. Having been both homeschooled and a student in a classical high school, Ms. Minson is devoted to sharing classical education with students and families. From Virginia, but having lived on the Main Line previously, Ms. Minson is delighted to be part of the Regina Luminis community. An avid reader and dog-lover, she loves exploring the bookstores and libraries around her home.

Mrs. Marybeth Brehany has served RLA in many capacities since she and her husband John enrolled the youngest three of their seven children in 2010. She has been a volunteer, the office manager, a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist, the 7th and 8th grade religion teacher, a high school theology teacher and student advisor, and head of school. Currently, Mrs. Brehany serves as Dean of the Early Learning Center. Marybeth graduated from the University of San Francisco and the Saint Ignatius Institute Great Books Program with a BA in History. She earned her MA in Religious Studies with an emphasis in catechesis from the Notre Dame Catechetical Institute and was also awarded an Advanced Apostolic Diploma in Catechetics from the Congregation for the Clergy. She is a trained Life Teen Youth Minister and a certified Levels I, II, and III CGS catechist. She is a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Church in Upper Uwchlan. Marybeth is honored to be involved in the education and formation of our RLA students.

Mrs. Christine Baran is a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher, trained through the North America Montessori Center. She also has an Early Childhood certification from Ashworth College. Previously, Christine worked as a Program Manager at Lynch Homes for developmentally impaired individuals. She then taught K-1 at Living Bridges for 10 years before joining RLA in 2017. Christine aims to create a nurturing and warm classroom environment where children feel loved, valued, and respected. She recognizes that every child learns differently and adjusts her lessons to meet their unique needs. Christine is a parishioner at Visitation BVM Church along with her husband and four children.

Kristen Fisher joins the RLA faculty again this year as a teacher’s aide in the Sacred Heart Early Learning Center. She grew up in Maryland with her parents and two younger sisters. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through an accelerated program from Drexel University. She briefly worked at an early childcare center for 2-5 year olds in between attending colleges. After nursing school, she worked as a Pediatric RN at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore for several years before becoming a full time stay at home mom. She and her husband moved to the Philly area in 2010. They now have six children and she has homeschooled some of them over the last four years. The Fisher family have been a part of the RLA community for over twelve years. They are parishioners of St. Eleanor's in Collegeville. Mrs. Fisher is so excited to bring a joy and enthusiasm for Jesus and for learning and to be a part of the Sacred Heart Early Learning Center!

Miss Rebecca Castagno has been a part of the RLA community for 7 years. She taught a combined 1st/2nd class for 3 years. She serves as Dean of the Lower School and as 2nd grade teacher. She completed her student teaching as a first grade teacher at Cardinal John Foley school in Havertown. She has also worked with children from infant to pre-school as a lead teacher at The Goddard School in Plymouth Meeting. During her college years, she was a lead teacher at Saint Patrick’s PREP program in Malvern for second, fourth, and fifth grade. Being a Regina Coeli Academy graduate, Miss Castagno is a proud product of the classical education curriculum and enjoys bringing this joy of classical education to each and every child. She is a firm believer of the “educating the whole child” philosophy and integrates this into her daily pedagogy. Rebecca’s favorite part about teaching is creating meaningful relationships with her students and supporting their diverse learning needs. Rebecca is a current parishioner of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Norristown, PA.

Mrs. Darcy discovered her love for teaching and classical education while teaching her three sons at home for a number of years, as well as at Living Bridges Homeschool Co-op. In fact, that is where she was trained in Latin, Shurley English, Institute for Excellence in Writing, and Catechism of the Good Shepherd. After graduating from Cabrini College with a degree in English and Communications, Mrs. Darcy worked in advertising, public relations, and freelance writing. Mrs. Darcy, her husband and three sons (who have never read Pride and Prejudice) belong to St. Ann’s Parish in Phoenixville.

Mrs. Jacqueline Fusco has been teaching Science at Regina Luminis Academy for eight years. Mrs. Fusco serves as Dean of the Middle School. Mrs. Fusco has taught science and math for grades 1 - 9 in a classroom setting for more than 8 years with the Living Bridges Educational Program. She earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree while attending Nursing School. Mrs. Fusco also serves RLA in her capacity as a registered nurse. She lives in Trooper with her four youngest children. Her family has belonged to Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish where she has been active and blessed for more than two decades.

Mr. Michael Westhead serves as Principal and Dean of the High School at Regina Luminis Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Marine Science from Slippery Rock University, where his studies included field research in coastal Virginia, San Salvador in the Bahamas, and Roatán, Honduras. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked with Mote Marine Laboratory on coral reef restoration and aquaculture projects in the Florida Keys and later taught at marine science institutes in Florida and California.

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Before joining Regina Luminis Academy, Mr. Westhead taught Biology, Marine Science, and Biotechnology at the Hun School of Princeton. His experience as both a scientist and educator has contributed to his conviction that the study of the natural world belongs within a broader pursuit of truth and should ultimately lead students toward a deeper appreciation of the order and intelligibility of creation.

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Mr. Westhead’s work in Catholic education is rooted in a commitment to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of young people. In 2019, he served as an Immaculata Fellow with LifeSite and participated in pro-life and Catholic conferences in Rome. In addition to his work at Regina Luminis Academy, he has taught catechism at his parish and contributed to The Daily Knight, a Catholic newspaper.

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As Principal, Mr. Westhead seeks to advance Regina Luminis Academy’s mission of forming students through a rigorous classical education grounded in the Catholic faith, cultivating in them a love for truth, goodness, and beauty and preparing them to live their vocations with wisdom, courage, and fidelity.

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Ms. Minson earned her degree in Art History and Classical Studies with an Ancient Studies concentration from Hollins University, graduating summa cum laude and joining Phi Beta Kappa, Eta Sigma Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. She has served as a Seton Teaching Fellow in the Bronx, developing as a teacher with Christ the Teacher as her model. She then created and implemented an Ancient Greek course, alongside other courses, at Lumen Gentium Academy. Having been both homeschooled and a student in a classical high school, Ms. Minson is devoted to sharing classical education with students and families. From Virginia, but having lived on the Main Line previously, Ms. Minson is delighted to be part of the Regina Luminis community. An avid reader and dog-lover, she loves exploring the bookstores and libraries around her home.

Miss Quirk is a passionate educator with over a decade of experience in the classroom. She genuinely loves the Lord, her students, and Math! She has been so blessed by the wonderful community at RLA in the five years that she has worked here. She teaches four high school math courses, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre Calculus, and Statistics/ Finance. She is also RLA's Dean of Mathematics, Garden Club supervisor, Pro-Life Moderator, and Senior Prom faculty liasion. Miss Quirk has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Palm Beach Atlantic University's Honors School and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Education from Palm Beach State College. She has worked at schools in both PA and FL prior to her time at RLA, including Episcopal Academy, Palm Beach Day Academy, and Saint Julianna Catholic School where she served as Chair of the Science Department.

Mr. Lewis earned his BA in Liberal Arts from Villanova University and an MA in Theology from the Notre Dame Catechetical Institute, now the Graduate School of Theology at Christendom College. He has also taken postgraduate courses in history at George Mason University and doctoral courses in theology at Catholic University. He is originally from the Northern Virginia area where he developed a love of history visiting places like Mount Vernon and Monticello, and the many Civil War battlefield sites such as Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He taught history, law, government and theology at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia, his alma mater, where he also coached football and baseball. He returned to the Philadelphia area to serve as the Director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. For eleven years he taught theology and Church history and also served as the theology department chair at Devon Preparatory School. He also served as the school’s moderator for the Chess Club, the Model United Nations Club, the Prayer Club, and co-moderator of the Pro-Life Club, and helped coach the Ultimate Frisbee team. In addition, he served as the school’s coordinator of the Christian Service Program which included leading students on service trips to Appalachian areas and local soup kitchens. He has also taught as an adjunct professor of theology at Immaculata University. He enjoys writing and is an award-winning author. Mr. Lewis resides in Exton with his wife Marian where they attend SS. Philip and James Parish. They are blessed with six children and two grandchildren.

Nick Scoville is a part-time instructor at Regina Luminis Academy who teaches calculus, quadrivium, and metaphysics from the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition. He believes that good theology begins with good philosophy and that humanity reached its intellectual high point with the thought of the Scholastics, most notably Thomas Aquinas. He is the chair of mathematics and computer science at Ursinus College where he teaches mathematics full-time. He was born and raised in Grand Rapids Michigan, received his PhD in mathematics from Dartmouth College in 2010, and moved to Pennsylvania with his wife Jennifer and children that same year. When not engaged in Scholasticism or mathematics, he enjoys running, cooking Indian food, old school country music, suits, tie knots, Italian opera, playing ragtime piano, and coffee. He is the father of eight daughters so far.

Mrs. Watts is a teacher of Ancient and Medieval Literature. Mrs. Watts was born and raised in the Washington, DC area and is one of six children. She and her husband have three children. Mrs. Watts has degrees in philosophy (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude) and law from Catholic University of America, and has done graduate level research on Shakespeare’s legal plays. Prior to having children, she worked for a DC pro-life policy organization, and later at a DC-based Catholic bioethics think tank. She also worked at her high school alma mater, Oakcrest School, an all-girls, independent Catholic school in Northern Virginia. After staying home full-time for over ten years to raise her children, Mrs. Watts is thrilled to join the RLA faculty since Spring 2024.

Mrs. Jessica Chominski has been a member of the RLA faculty since 2016. She earned her degree from Temple University and she enjoys teaching Physical Education as well as coaching FollowHers. She is very passionate about incorporating prayer and devotion into physical activity, challenging students to praise God with their whole selves! She and her family live in West Chester and are active members of Saint Agnes Parish.

Mrs. Ruth Rea received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Baylor University, where she specialized in oil painting. In addition to painting, she enjoys crafting jewelry and stained glass. She previously worked as a jeweler at Summer Ellis Bijouterie in Waco, TX and a teaching assistant for Great Hearts Online. Having long been a lover of literature, poetry, and the arts, Ruth is excited to teach in a classical setting and to show her students how to perceive beauty wherever it can be found. One does not have to be a professional artist to learn to see with artists’ eyes or, as J.R.R. Tolkien put it, to be a sub-creator within God’s Creation. Ruth is newer to the greater Philadelphia area, and she and her husband Burke have attended Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Springfield. They enjoy cooking, playing board games, and reading books together and with friends.

Mr. Mullen has spent over thirty years directing choirs, studying the liberal arts and Catholic liturgical music. His primary focus is on the teaching of beautiful liturgical song according to the principles and pedagogic practices as found in the medieval choir schools of European Christendom. He has taught for small independent schools since 2017. He has extant particular experience applying the liberal arts of arithmetic, music and geometry in the building of musical instruments. For eighteen years he was employed as manager for Schulmerich Carillons Inc. in Sellersville PA, overseeing every aspect of their Handbell and MelodyChime manufacturing. While there, he specialized in the tuning of bells and applying temperaments. He is a luthier of historical musical instruments, and has been building ancient lutes, viols, harps and medieval fiddles for close to thirty years. He has worked in the harpsichord shop of Williard Martin in Bethlehem PA and also studied lute construction with one of the world’s foremost historical luthiers—David Van Edwards, from Norwich England. An accomplished musician, he has demonstrated a level of proficiency as a lutenist, classical guitarist, composer, and vocalist. His passion for music, Scholastic Philosophy, and education in light of the Seven Liberal Arts has led him to a unique perspective and understanding into the nature of singing and the choral arts.