Faculty & Staff

Ms. Thomas joins Chesterton Academy of The Florida Martyrs as its History, Literature, Philosophy, and Algebra teacher.
A life-long resident of Pensacola, she holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and a master’s degree in history, with an emphasis on Early American history, from the University of West Florida. She is currently working on her PhD in history from Liberty University, where her working dissertation concerns political ideologies from 1780 to 1860. Ms. Thomas has been a graduate writing tutor and taught various humanities courses at both the middle and high school levels, including World History, American History, Human Geography, and Civics.
Her passion in teaching is making the subjects come alive for her students and bringing them to a place of appreciation for the ways that God has interwoven each area of life and education together.

Katie Johnson brings a wealth of artistic talent and a deep commitment to faith-based education to Chesterton Academy of the Florida Martyrs. Holding a bachelor’s degree in studio art, Katie specializes in oil painting, a medium through which she beautifully conveys spiritual themes and the splendor of the Catholic faith.

Her professional journey includes a mural of the Visitation adorning the wall of a church in Oregon, demonstrating her ability to create large-scale, meaningful artwork. Katie has also provided artwork for various Catholic conferences and has completed numerous commissioned works, each reflecting her dedication to glorifying God through her art.

Katie’s extensive experience in ministry enriches her teaching with a profound understanding of the spiritual and cultural significance of art. She holds a certificate in spiritual direction from the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction. Her ministry work includes serving as a youth minister, an NET missionary, and the campus ministry coordinator for the Catholic Argos.

Katie’s year-long teaching experience at a private Catholic school in Birmingham and with a homeschool co-op group in Pensacola has equipped her with valuable insights into nurturing young artists. She is passionate about guiding students to explore their creative potential while fostering an appreciation for the beauty and depth of the Catholic artistic tradition.

Mrs. Heather Renshaw is thrilled to bring her passion for fine arts and languages to Chesterton Academy of the Florida Martyrs as our Music, Drama, and Latin teacher.

A “revert” to the Catholic Faith, Mrs. Renshaw discerned a call to teach and evangelize after a successful career in Human Resource Management in Portland, Oregon. She wrote an award-winning book (Death by Minivan, Our Sunday Visitor) and traveled around the country speaking and teaching in various capacities. An award-winning family life columnist (Mea Maxima Cuppa, The Catholic Sentinel), Mrs. Renshaw wrote for numerous online outlets, and contributed to several devotional and Scripture study publications in addition to contributing to a book for young women called All Things Girl: Truth for Teens.

An accomplished liturgical musician, Mrs. Renshaw cantored throughout the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon for over 30 years and sang with the Oregon Symphony’s Gospel Christmas Choir for 10 years before moving to Pensacola in 2021 and joining St. Paul Catholic Church’s Adult Choir. Over the past two years, Mrs. Renshaw led multiple retreats for the students and faculty and taught students PK3-8 at St. Paul Catholic School. She began her role as Director of Music Ministry for Pensacola Catholic High School in 2023. Mrs. Renshaw will earn certification from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee’s Lay Formation Institute in April 2025.

She and her husband, David, were married in 2001, and have five amazing children (and two crazy dogs). Gaudete semper in Domino!

As the new Science Teacher of Chesterton Academy of the Florida Martyrs, Amanda brings a lifetime of passion for education. With a B.S. in Biology, an M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology, clinical research experience, and years of teaching experience, Amanda inspires her students to study hard and think cohesively and classically.

Amanda and her husband, Will, have been married for 15 years and have three children whom they have homeschooled their entire lives. Within homeschool, Amanda’s love for education has expanded far beyond the scientific disciplines. For several years, she has classically taught across several different disciplines, including History, Mathematics, Science, Bible, English Grammar, Literature, French and English Composition. Through this experience, Amanda feels she has enriched her own education and discovered how all of the traditional subjects are truly interconnected.

Amanda spends most of her day homeschooling, cooking, cleaning and teaching her children how to be responsible students, family members and eventually, contributing members of society. In her spare time she enjoys walking, gardening, traveling, spending time with friends, traveling, reading and studying! Amanda prefers non-fiction and documentaries to Will’s fiction and stand-up-comedy acts. They are a perfect balance to each other. Amanda and her children also love to sing together. Don’t be surprised if she sings in class; it’s a great way to learn hard concepts!