Faculty & Staff
Teachers at Cardinal Kung Academy come from various academic disciplines and teaching experiences. All share a love of their subject and a passion for teaching.
Dr. Alexander Miller
PrincipalDr. Miller earned his AB magna cum laude with a double-major in Philosophy and Theology from Georgetown University, an MA in Early Christian Studies (jointly sponsored by Classics and Theology) from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in Christian Near Eastern Studies from The Catholic University of America with a major in Syriac and minor in Coptic, and a PhD in Theology from Fordham University, specializing in patristic theology. Dr. Miller has worked in parish ministry in Manhattan, published several academic articles on ancient and modern theology, and has taught courses in Classics, Philosophy, and Theology at Notre Dame, Fordham, St. John’s University, and SUNY Purchase.
Father Joseph Gill
CHAPLAIN | theologyFr. Gill completed his undergraduate studies at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, and his graduate studies in Theology at Mount St. Mary's University, Emmitsburg, MD. He serves as the pastor of St. Jude Parish in Monroe, Connecticut.
Mr. John Carrigan
Director of Guidance and Student SupportMr. John Carrigan earned a BA in Secondary English Education from the University of Connecticut, MA in School Counseling, and holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School Administration and Supervision from Fairfield University.
Ms. Emma Barnes
Middle School HumanitiesMs. Emma Barnes was pursuing a DPhil in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at Oxford University when she discerned a call to teach in a Catholic middle school, returning to her roots in Connecticut. Ms. Barnes earned BAs in History and German from the University of Connecticut, and an MPhil with distinction in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World from Oxford. At UConn, she spent one year abroad at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and also began her study of ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew.
Mr. Emil Bantea
Latin | Ancient History
Mr. Nicholas Botkins
Music Mr. Nicholas Botkins is the Choirmaster and Organist at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford. In his work leading youth choirs and advanced chant courses, Mr. Botkins has also developed the skill of teaching Latin to younger students. In addition to teaching Music classes at Cardinal Kung Academy, Mr. Botkins also directs the schola cantorum, which began as an extracurricular activity for CKA’s young men and has become an audition-only music class for young men and women. The schola cantorum sings at weekly school Masses and special events, like the annual Lessons & Carols.
Mr. Regan Bradley
science | AlgebraMr. Regan Bradley holds a BS in Physics from the State University of New York at Albany. Mr Bradley's pursuit of teaching was maintained alongside previous employment in the financial and healthcare management sectors by tutoring students in math and the sciences at the high school and collegiate levels.
Ms. Grace Connelly
Science | LatinMs. Connelly graduated summa cum laude from the Catholic University of America with a BS in Biology. During her undergraduate years, Ms. Connelly worked as a teaching and research assistant, studying transcription factors in model organisms. As a graduate of a classical Catholic high school herself, she understands and appreciates this approach to education. Classical education fostered Ms. Connelly’s love of theater, and she went on to participate in many productions, both as an actor and as a director. Ms. Connelly also attributes her interest in Latin to her classical high school, and she continued to study the language in college and in her free time.
Mr. Michael DeFelice
Literature | Theology | Director of AdmissionsMr. DeFelice studied Philosophy and Classics at Georgetown University, where he received the Philosophy Department’s Ryan Medal. He recently completed a Masters Degree in Theology from the Dominican House of Studies (Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception) in Washington, DC. Before coming to CKA, Mr. DeFelice worked as the Conferences and Development Coordinator for the Thomistic Institute at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Mrs. Jennifer Docherty
Literature | Grammar & RhetoricMrs. Docherty holds a BA and an MA degree in English literature from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Maryland and King’s College, University of London, respectively. She is a veteran English and literature teacher, having taught in private schools in London, UK and in the U.S.
Mr. Alexander Furey
MS Literature & THEOLOGY | HS MathMr. Furey graduated with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and a Masters in Mathematics from UConn. Similar to some of the other faculty at Cardinal Kung Academy, he was on his way to pursuing a Ph.D. before discerning a call to teach in his home state of Connecticut. He became interested in the classical and Catholic roots of Cardinal Kung Academy, especially its emphasis on close reading, critical thinking, and sound moral formation.
In addition to his academic interests, Mr. Furey spent much of his childhood, high school, and college years singing in several select choral groups. Some of these groups specialized in contemporary choral music, others in sacred music, including polyphony and chant. This formation had a profound impact upon Mr. Furey, both musically and otherwise.
Mrs. Geraldine Galasso
MATHEMATICSMrs. Galasso holds a BA in Mathematics and Education from SUNY Old Westbury, an MBA from Adelphi University, and an MS in Education from the University of Bridgeport. Before coming to CKA, Mrs. Galasso was a member of the faculty of Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton, CT, for twenty years. There she specialized in teaching middle school mathematics, individualizing instruction for students of all ability levels. She also started a student "Millionaire's Club," a finance-based after-school program for students to study and apply investment skills. Mrs. Galasso is passionate about teaching in a Catholic school where she can share her faith and help her students see how the Catholic faith can help them navigate the academic and social challenges of middle school and high school.
Ms. Monica Haffey
History Ms. Haffey holds a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in History and Music with a concentration in Classical Studies from Fairfield University. A recipient of multiple awards for her research in political music history, Ms. Haffey is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the National Honors Society for History. She has also worked as an archivist in the Department of Musical Manuscripts and Rare Books at the New York Library for the Performing Arts.
In addition to her pursuits in academia, Ms. Haffey performs throughout the New York Metropolitan Area as a vocalist specializing in Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony. She has sung for the Sacra Liturgia Conference, The Green Mountain Project, TENET’s Behind Convent Walls, and appears regularly alongside the St. Mary Schola Cantorum in Norwalk, Conn.
Dr. Alexandra Kimball
Literature | HistoryDr. Kimball earned a BA in Liberal Arts at St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD, and then a Ph.D. in Victorian Literature from Columbia University. She left her life as an academic and university professor of Victorian literature to return to her roots as a general reader, writing for The Hudson Review (where she also serves also an Advisory Editor), The New Criterion, Barnes & Noble Review, and The Wall Street Journal.
Mrs. Janet Lancaster
Business ManagerMrs. Lancaster has a BS in Business and Economics from The King's College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
Mr. Kyle MacDonald
dean of formation | college admissions Mr. MacDonald holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Notre Dame. He is also currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Administration through the University of Mary. Over the past 10 years, Mr. MacDonald has served as an English and theology teacher, campus minister, college counselor, and director of guidance at Catholic schools in New York and Denver, Colorado.
He was initially drawn to Cardinal Kung Academy for its reputation as an authentically Catholic community and its mission of forming the whole person within the classical liberal arts tradition. It is a joy for him to get to know each of the students and support them in the cultivation of virtue and the pursuit of truth. The Voyage of Life series of paintings by Thomas Cole serves Mr. MacDonald as a continual reminder of this lifelong adventure and its ultimate fulfillment in God.
Mrs. Trisha McManus
DramaMrs. Trisha McManus is an alumna from the University of Alaska, with a B.S. in Human Services. She also attended Trinity Western University, where she obtained an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since her days in undergrad, she was heavily involved in the theater department while studying clinical counselling. Her performance profile includes singing and dancing on cruise liners, On-Air hosting for a TV station, and working as a voice actress for various projects.
Along with her dear friend Alexandra McLaughlin, she founded Schola Theatrica, an extracurricular theater program that teaches students virtue through theater. She and her husband run CAMKAM Books, which publishes children’s books on saints' lives, and a podcast on classical literature, family, and life as an ordinary Catholic. She is grateful for this opportunity to be part of the Cardinal Kung community, which aligns nicely with her mission for forming souls through classical education, specifically in the performing arts.
Mr. Richard Meloy
economics | CiVICSMr. Meloy brings a wealth of experience in business and teaching to his Economics class, having worked for many years in finance and business for major corporations. Holding a BA in History from Trinity College and a Masters in Finance from University of Chicago, Mr. Meloy has taught Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Finance for the last decade at several local universities. Mr. Meloy also served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy.
Mr. Daniel Orazio
LATIN | ANCIENT LITERATUREMr. Orazio earned a BA in Classical Philology from the University of Dallas and an MA in Classics from Tufts University. After seven years in Boston, six of them spent teaching Latin in the public high schools of Newton, Mass., where he apprenticed under master Latin teacher Alice Lanckton, Mr. Orazio moved to Italy to pursue a License in "Christian and Classical Literature" from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. In August of 2023, he returned home to Fairfield County, excited to teach Latin and Ancient Literature at Cardinal Kung Academy. During spare moments he may be found working on his thesis, a study of the Latinity of the letters and other documents pertaining to the Jesuit Mission of Marilandia (Maryland).
Mr. Jeffrey Padilla
MATHEMATICS | History | physicsMr. Padilla earned a BA in English and in History from Williams College in Williamstown, MA. He returns to his liberal arts background and to teaching after years in business finance and pharmacology.
Mrs. Megan Powell
mathematicsMrs. Powell earned a BS in Mathematics from Wake Forest University and a MA in Teaching from John Hopkins University. She has wide and diverse experience teaching experience, varying from an inner-city public school in Baltimore to independent schools in Manhattan and Greenwich, CT.
Mr. John Pendergast
Dean of faculty | TheologyJohn Pendergast earned his AB magna cum laude as a U.S. History Major from Harvard College in 1982, and his MTS (Masters of Theological Studies) from Harvard Divinity School in 1987. After receiving his AB, John spent two years teaching and coaching at a Kingston, Jamaica boys’ school (St. George's College) as a member of the International Jesuit Volunteer Corps. John spent 33 years at Brunswick School in Greenwich where he taught history, coached football, hockey and lacrosse, directed Community Service and headed the Middle School. John also served as the Director of the Oxford Prep Program in Oxford, UK for eleven summers and in the religious education program at Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford for twenty years.
Mrs. Kristjana Underhill
History Mrs. Underhill holds a BA in Philosophy from Yale University and a MA in Social Studies from Columbia University. She brings close to twenty years teaching experience in local high and private classical schools.
Mrs. Zvinka Wolynetz
ART | HEALTH | MS SCIENCEMrs. Wolynetz earned a BS in Psychology and Studio Arts from the College of the Holy Cross and a BSN with honors from Pace University. She has worked, interned, and volunteered in the fields of medicine, finance, education, psychology, art therapy, and community outreach where she obtained numerous awards. Mrs. Wolynetz is passionate about teaching and her experiences range from tutoring sciences at the Westchester Community College Science Center to providing hospital staff and patient education; from developing elementary school curriculum to teaching science to children with learning disabilities at Wediko School; from advocating with Child Life specialists at the hospital to homeschooling and religious education curriculum development. Mrs. Wolynetz is also a multimedia artist who is currently traveling with an exhibit “Stolen Dreams,” which commemorates the lives lost in the war in her birth country of Ukraine. She is very excited to be a part of CKA and share her love for the Arts, science, and faith with others—Deus vult!to be updated