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Our Faculty & Staff 2022-23
"Before buildings, before books, even before students, a school is a gathering, often of just a few friends, learning together, who love the same things and love to reflect and remark about them in conversation."
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- James S. Taylor, Poetic Knowledge
Lara Neri: Founder/Directress
Dr. Marc Neri: cofounder/CFO
Our Board of Directors:
Lara Neri, President
Dr. Marc Neri, Treasurer & Secretary
John Wilcox, legal counsel
Dr. Andrew Moran, academic advisor
Our Teachers:
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Lara Neri:
Founder, Head Mistress; Humanities & Trivium Program Director & Guide; Practical & Fine Arts Guide
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Mrs. Neri has taught Literature, Grammar, Writing, & Art since 1997. She did her undergraduate work in Art History & Medieval & Renaissance Studies at the University of Dallas and returned to UD for her Masters of Literature. She is certified for teaching English in Western Europe and has taught in China, Russia, and the UK. Mrs. Neri has completed the AMI Adolescent Montessori Introductory training and continues to attend Montessori workshops and training conferences. She has also trained at the Byzantine School of Iconography and the Prince's School of Traditional Arts.
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Mrs. Neri has done training in Positive Discipline, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), sensory issues, and trauma informed parenting. She has traveled extensively and loves exploring other cultures and customs. She finds joy in attending the Byzantine Liturgy, reading good books, discussing educational philosophies, talking with friends, hosting parties, playing board games, doing puzzles, sitting at sunny cafes, and riding horses.
Her favorite book is The Brothers Karamozov and her favorite cities are Jerusalem, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, and Rome.
Dr. Marc Neri, PhD:
co-founder, CFO; Quadrivium & Economia Tutor
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Dr. Neri has a BS in Physics from Durham University, a Masters in Humanities from the University of Dallas, and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of North Texas. He also obtained his Accounting Qualification (CIMA) while in London and his Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching.
He has taught English in China & Russia, Biology at Cistercian Preparatory School, & currently teaches Accounting at Texas Christian University.
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Marc is an Anglo-Italian, born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the north of England & growing up spending summers in Tuscany with his father's family. He loves expounding on philosophical truths to his four children & anyone else who will listen, traveling, reading history & philosophy, studying languages, and continually pursuing more graduate degrees.
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Mrs. Amanda Halisky:
Quadrivium Guide; Economia & Practical Arts Guide
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Mrs. Amanda Halisky graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in Education and a concentration in Mathematics. She is an enthusiastic promoter of education in all forms.
Mrs. Halisky encouraged and guided students through the challenges of middle and high school math at a private school for four years before coming to St. Anthonys, and we are so happy to have her expertise, skill, and understanding of mathematics as a beautiful language. It is clear that she loves her students, and she ensures that each of them learns and fully understands the concepts put before them.
She always gives 110% of her time and attention to the tasks put before her and is relentless in her pursuit of excellence for both herself and her students.
Mrs. Halisky has been married to the love of life for 24 years, with whom she has 6 beautiful children who are her pride and joy. She enjoys spending time with her family, hosting parties and events at her home, cooking, baking, ballistics, and traveling wherever the wind takes her.
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Mrs. Halisky teaches Quadrivium & mathematics of all sorts. Utilizing her many other talents, this Spring she will be offering Cake Decorating, Feast Day & Holiday Desserts, Hands-on Chemistry & Physics, Amusement Park Math & Physics, & more.
Mr Paul Fojut:
Humanities & Trivium Guide; Practical & Fine Arts Guide; Economia Guide
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Paul Fojut has taught Drama, Literature, & Latin. He majored in Drama at the University of Dallas. He studied Meisner Technique at Green Shirt Studio in Chicago.
He has taught with Great Hearts in both Arizona and Texas. He has also been a good barista, a bad cook, and a reasonably cheerful waiter.
He is an avid learner. After learning anything, he always asks himself, “How would I teach this?”
He loves Chesterton, Flannery O’Connor, lyric poetry, and picture books. Reading and performing Shakespeare makes his heart sing.
His current film recommendation is The Fencer (2015). His current book recommendation is The Short Reign of King Pippin IV by John Steinbeck.
He is the oldest of six.
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Mr. Fojut guides students in the Humanities, Trivium, Latin, Acting Shakespeare, Speech and Drama.
Mrs. Jessica Kane:
Martial Arts Guide
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Jessica Kane was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She came to Texas in 2008 to study at the University of Dallas and lives in Irving with her husband and four children.
Mrs. Kane began her taekwondo training in 2017 and now practices WT-style Taekwondo with 1st Dan rank (black belt). She has benefitted from the rigorous physical and mental training that the sport provides. She hopes to instill the tenets of Taekwondo in her students: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
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We look forward to getting fit & ready to focus with her help!
Mrs. Kirsten Huber:
Economia & Horticulture Guide
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Mrs. Huber is the owner of Good Tilth Farm and Nursery and Lorica Tea. She is a certified permaculture designer from the Australia Institute of Permaculture. In 2009 she hosted Fort Worth's first PDC course. Since then she has and been working in the urban agriculture industry, teaching at schools and as a designer and a market gardener. She also works at Elizabeth Anna Urban Farm & Garden doing greenhouse management, design, and in education and outreach.
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Mrs. Huber will be instructing students in various aspects of permaculture, soil science, seed saving, aquaponics, botany, herbal medicine, natural building, and more.
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She enjoys gardening...obviously.
Mrs. Nece Zipper:
Practical Arts Guide
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Mrs. Nece Zipper graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She is also trained in all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has built and served in various atria since 2009. Currently, she serves as the Level Two guide for St. Mary the Virgin Catholic Church and Level Three guide for St. Francis Montessori. She enjoys working with the older children as they complete the CGS formation and also loves the material making process and preparation of the environment.
Mrs.Zipper has been an avid crafter since her first job at MJ Designs, craft store, in high school. She is currently a member of the Dallas Makerspace and enjoys learning new skills. Over the years, she has learned a variety of practical arts that she looks forward to sharing: jewelry, sewing, ceramics, woodworking, painting, bookbinding, and calligraphy.
Mrs. Zipper and her husband live in Irving with their four children.
Mr. Alan Perry:
Archery, Firearms, Fishing, Hunting, & Animal Preparation Guide
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Mr. Perry grew up in Van Zandt County in East Texas. His family were farmers who lived off what they grew, hunted, or fished. He grew up learning skills that are no longer common in everyday modern life.
He wants to preserve the respect, love, knowledge, and skills he has and pass these on to
students who are interested and prepared to learn.
Mr. Perry attended Lamar University and joined the local carpenter union as an apprentice. He quickly
earned his journeyman card and worked in the construction industry. His knowledge is vast and varied. He has had up to 40 horses, sponsored the MacArthur High School rodeo team for several years, and had a private riding & rodeo school where many people learned to care and ride horses. He still raises steers and swine for the family table. Mr. Perry also co-manages 40,000 acres of private property in Chickasaw County Oklahoma. He is a gun club range safety officer at a local prestigious gun club that holds classes on safety, certification classes and competitions.
He has been married for 50 years & is the proud father of 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Most of his family resides locally or in other Texas cities. He is excited to shepherd a new generation to hunt and harvest the animals ethically and respectfully. He believes strongly that you treat people the way you want to be treated and to do God’s best is the way to be blessed.
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Mrs. Marnie Parmenter:
Pietra Fitness Guide
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Marnie Burkett Parmenter is a certified Pietra Fitness instructor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dallas. In addition to being a wife and mother, she has worked as an editor, teacher and administrative assistant and is a nutrition and fitness enthusiast. For more information about this unique fitness program visit Pietra Fitness or contact Marnie at marparm7@gmail.com.
Mrs. Teresa Dagg:
Sewing Guide
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Mrs. Teresa Dagg grew up in western Pennsylvania where her mother taught her to sew at a young age. She has been sewing and making things for herself, family, and friends since then. She attended the University of Dallas, graduating with a degree in English Literature and a concentration in Art History in 2002. After a variety of jobs in different cities, she returned to Irving to teach at Faustina Academy. She taught there for 10 years teaching grades third through fifth and a year at Founders Academy in Lewisville. She has been teaching sewing and art classes all around the Irving area for the last few years and looks forward to sharing this lovely pastime with others.
