Mrs. Haley Tomaszewski begins her second year at Drexel High School, where she will teach Latin and Geometry. She has more than eight years of experience working in classical schools and is pleased to make it even more official as she embarks on her MA in Classical and Liberal Education.
Mrs. T earned her BA studying philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where she also minored in psychology. While the degree is handy, the two best things she received from her university experience were reception into the Catholic Church in Easter of 2013 and meeting her husband, Christopher.
Haley and Christopher, who teaches philosophy at Belmont Abbey College, love to travel and take care of their beast of a German shepherd, Borromeo. When not teaching, she can be found studying languages, craning her neck in European cathedrals, reading extensively, drinking far too much coffee, and planning adventures with friends flung across the country.
Dr. Mark Adderley (known to his students as “Doc”) was born in the English railway town of Crewe, though his family moved frequently, finally settling in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England. He grew up reading the novels of Enid Blyton, C. S. Lewis, Ian Fleming and J. R.R. Tolkien. It wasn’t until he was studying at Cartrefle College in Wales, however, that he discovered the passion for the Arthurian legend that has now lasted almost four decades.
During his studies in Wales, Mark also met an American woman, Adrianne, whom he married. Moving to America, he got, in not very rapid succession, four children and a PhD in medieval literature from the University of South Florida. He also became Catholic. He has lived in Florida, Georgia, Montana, Missouri, Wyoming and South Dakota, teaching English at a variety of colleges, most notably at Wyoming Catholic College.
One of Mark’s pastimes is writing. “I’ve been writing since I was about eight years old,” he says. “In fourth grade, however, Mrs. Parker (who had started the years as Miss Waterson, and changed her name much to the chagrin of every male pupil in her class) wrote on my report card, ‘He should go in for being an author.’ Later on—it would be about sixth grade—I asked my parents for a typewriter for Christmas. In school, of course, we were asked to tell the class about our Christmas presents. When I revealed to my class that I had got a typewriter, they laughed, though they were rapidly stilled by another teacher, Mr. Brown. Later still, Mr. Beach (poor, suffering soul) read my manuscripts, and didn’t tell me what rubbish I had written, but was very patient in his comments.”
The first novel in the Matter of Britain series, The Hawk and the Wolf, was published in 2008, and followed by two sequels; in 2013, he began writing a new series of books, the McCracken Adventures. Set in the early twentieth century against a backdrop of war and tumultuous world events, the McCracken Adventures are adventure novels for Catholic readers in 6th -10th grade. One early reader described them as “Indiana Jones with a Rosary.”
“It seems that a plethora of teachers have inspired me to write and teach,” says Mark, “among them Mrs. Parker, Mr. Brown, Mr. Morley, Mr. Beach, and Mrs. Roberts. I’d like to propose a toast to the lot of them, wherever they are.” What is most important to Mark at Drexel is that his students find joy in their studies and become lifelong readers, enriched by ideas they first encountered in high school. “This will be the legacy of all the wonderful teachers who have inspired me,” he concludes.
Mrs. Tanja Akerblom is a dedicated professional with a passion for teaching. With 12 years of experience in teaching in traditional schools, homeschools and hybrids, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. She excels at helping students to reach their potential and developing enthusiasm for the subjects she teaches.
Mrs. Akerblom has a strong foundation in math and science, with a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia and Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She is excited about leveraging her skills and experience to continue building up the academics and culture of Drexel High School. She lives with her husband and three of their six children in Gastonia, with one of them attending Drexel High. In her free time, she loves to be outside for long walks and gardening
Dr. Timothy Polnaszek (bio coming soon!)