Our Faculty & Staff

Dr. Richard Brake is the Headmaster of Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy (SFCCA), a new independent PreK-8 Catholic school located in Bally, Pennsylvania on the campus of Most Blessed Sacrament parish.

Prior to joining Saint Francis Classical, Dr. Brake served for four years as the Headmaster of St. Michael High School in Petoskey, Michigan, member of the Chesterton Network of Classical Schools. Earlier in his career, Brake was the president of the Institute for Family Studies, a non-profit think tank dedicated to strengthening marriage and family in America through research and public education; and vice-president for education at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, which teaches college students the founding political, economic, and moral principles of the country.

Brake holds an undergraduate degree in American history from Georgetown University, and graduate degrees in American politics from the University of Virginia and Temple University, where he taught political science for seven years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Brake worked as a legislative assistant in both the Pennsylvania and U.S. Houses of Representatives, and in 2006 he retired at the rank of Captain after serving ten years as an Ordnance Officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Brake also taught political science at Millersville and Shippensburg Universities in Pennsylvania, and Neumann and Rowan Universities in New Jersey.

His commentaries on American education and politics have appeared in such media outlets as C-SPAN, Newsweek, The New York Post, the Washington Examiner, Catholic Vote, and several Talk Radio programs, including the Laura Ingraham and Al Kresta shows. He was born and raised in Indiana, raised his family in the Philadelphia suburbs, and first became involved in the Classical Catholic education movement at Regina Luminis Academy in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, where he served for three years as the Dean of the High School and instructor in history and philosophy.

Dr. Brake's favorite book is Charles Dickens' David Copperfield; thinker, Thomas Aquinas; and Saint, Joseph the Worker.

Mrs. Diodati holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Arizona and is a 27-year veteran of classical education. After home educating her seven children through high school, she went on to become Western Civilization Department Head at Veritas Academy in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to classroom teaching, her great other grand interest is in curricular development. Mrs. Diodati believes that children are made in the image and likeness of God, who gain knowledge and understanding through the wonder of His beauty as they grow in and towards His wisdom. Mrs. Diodati lives by Proverbs 3:5 "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” One of her favorite pearls of wisdom comes from St. Augustine: "Let knowledge be used as a kind of scaffolding to help build the edifice of love and understanding, which shall endure forever even after knowledge itself has passed away.” Mrs. Diodati’s most earnest hope is that students in her classroom will experience the Lord's joy as they grow in God's wisdom, holding fast to the wonder and awe of Him and His love.

Miss Diodati was homeschooled in a Classical Catholic curriculum in Arizona. She then received a BA in History from the University of Arizona, as well as achieving a specialization in literacy. She has worked with Christian Classical schools for several years, and been guided by master teachers. She is currently pursuing a masters in education and a masters in theology. Her favorite saint is St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, who once said: “Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.” Miss Diodati enjoys reading, writing snail mail, and gardening. She couldn’t possibly choose a favorite book, but enjoys building her library and finding reading recommendations for everyone!

Originally from Ireland, at the tender age of seventeen Mrs. Finegan emigrated to the United States and has lived here ever since. She has three children who are all graduates of Saint Francis, and she has three (and counting) adorable grandchildren. Mrs. Finegan became involved with Saint Francis when her first born was school age, first as a Mother, next as a volunteer, and then as the lead preschool teacher. When Mrs. Finegan is not teaching, she enjoys time with her family, friends, and of course, her dogs.

After 26 years of teaching at a Catholic school, Mrs. Finegan believes that education works best when both children and parents are invested in learning, and have a willingness to be a partner in their child’s moral and academic development. Mrs. Finegan has worked with all ages of children, but is strongly drawn to the minds of the young ones. As she observes, “These children hold a special place in my heart. Nothing makes me happier than watching them grow, not only academically but in their faith. I am truly blessed and fortunate to love my job!”

Before joining SFCCA, Cheryl served as a Special Education teacher at two area public high schools. Cheryl holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in Education from LaSalle University. Originally from New York, Cheryl grew up in Gilbertsville, PA attending St. Aloysius Elementary and St. Pius X High School. An active member of her parish, St Columbkill, Cheryl was a stay-at-home mother to her five children who all attended St. Francis Academy. Cheryl best describes her life mission statement with a quote from St. Thomas Aquinas, “Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.” Amen.

Samuel McIlheran hails from Southeastern Wisconsin though has spent a good portion of his life as a diocesan seminarian in Virginia and Philadelphia. He has a pontifical bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Prior to teaching Latin at Saint Francis, he taught 6th grade Religion and 2nd grade Spanish at a Catholic school in Virginia. In his leisure he enjoys hiking in God’s beautiful creation, making home-brewed mead, and reading various and divers good books. If he had to pick one book as his favorite, it would be J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. His favorite Catholic thinker is G.K. Chesterton and his favorite saint is Saint Maximilian Kolbe.

Mrs. Kelli Salkowski is a wife, mother, homemaker, and the kindergarten teacher at Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy. After graduating from Phoenixville High School in 2005, Mrs. Salkowski attended Millersville University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography, and will graduate from Kutztown University in December of 2023 with her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Salkowski is a recent convert, participating in Most Blessed Sacrament’s RCIA program, and was confirmed at MBS on April 3, 2021 with the name Lucy, a saint to which she has great devotion. Her favorite Catholic author is Scott Hahn, also a convert, whose book Rome Sweet Home was a huge influence on her decision to enter into the Catholic Church. Mrs. Salkowski works part time in the summer at the National Centre for Padre Pio, where she handles the inventory, assists with pilgrimage groups, and oversees a children’s program that focuses on Padre Pio and his great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. Mrs. Salkowski and her family happily reside in Barto, PA and are active members of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Claire Stoll is a graduate of Kutztown University where she completed her degree in English. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Education, along with gaining PA certification to teach grades 7-12 English through DeSales University. Claire is a longstanding member of nearby parish St. Philip Neri, where she attended their school from PreK up until their closure.  Her favorite Saint is St. Dymphna, who is the patron Saint of nervous disorders. As a lover of literature, Claire’s favorite Catholic thinker is Dante Alighieri ever since she read The Divine Comedy in high school. Her favorite book is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, while her favorite poet is Emily Dickinson. Aside from the classics, Claire enjoys poetry, and romantic fiction. When she is not working, you can find her working on her Master's degree, reading, spending time outdoors, or at a concert.

Rebecca Woltornist is excited to join Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy as their art teacher. She hails from Glen Gardner, New Jersey, and is a recent graduate in Liberal Arts from Catholic Distance University. While pursuing her degree, Miss Woltornist taught art at a homeschool cooperative; apprenticed under sacred artist Erick Armusik of Hamburg, Pennsylvania; and served as a teacher’s aide and art teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, New Jersey. Her favorite hobbies include painting with acrylics, reading, and gardening. Her parish is St. Stephen of Hungary in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Miss Woltornist’s favorite book is Pride and Prejudice; she derives inspiration from Saint John Paul II’s Letter to Artists; and she has a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux. She is overjoyed to be a part of the SFCCA faculty and looks forward to delving into Beauty, Truth, and Goodness with her students.