Faculty & Staff
Dr. Dan Guernsey, Ed.D., Headmaster
Dr. Guernsey is a graduate of the Saint Ignatius Institute (a classical great books program) at the Jesuit University of San Francisco where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. He holds a Master’s degree in English from U. C. Berkeley, and a Master’s degree in school administration from CSU Fresno. He earned his Doctorate in Education at Eastern Michigan University, specializing in educational leadership. He has 17 years experience working in Catholic schools, nationally and internationally, from kindergarten to graduate school, as a teacher, consultant, principal, dean, and president. He serves on the board of the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools, NAPCIS, which provides consulting and accreditation services for more than 150 independent Catholic schools across the nation. He has also helped develop Ave Maria Missions, a sponsorship program which provides scholarships for the poor to attend Catholic schools in Honduras and in the United States. Dr. Guernsey speaks widely on the topic of Catholic education and is the author of Adoration, Eucharistic Texts and Prayers Throughout Church History, (Ignatius Press, 1995).
Dr. Jon Beane, Ph.D, Academic Dean- Math and Humanities Instructor Grades 9-12
Dr. Beane completed undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Philosophy at Roosevelt University in Chicago and then earned a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. 10 years of his carrer was teaching at Trinity School in Minnesota, a highly regarded 7-12 grade classical academy. His strong background in math, philosophy and linguistics has been put to use over the years teaching a variety of courses grades 7-12 including Humanities, Theology, Mathematics, Latin, Greek, and French, as well as teaching Philosophy and Freshman Writing Seminar as an adjunct professor at Notre Dame. Dr. Beane brings a wealth of practical teaching experience at the high school levels as well as years of thoughtful experience in developing and implementing a classical education.
Mr. Marc Snyder, M.A., Science Instructor Grades 5-12
Mr. Marc Snyder earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. He then earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy while exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood. Discerning his call was to the married life, he pursued a teaching career and secured his Professional Educator’s Certification from the state of Florida in Biology 6th-12th grade and Elementary Education K-6th. He has six years experince teaching science in Catholic schools at the middle and high school levels. He recently completed a Master of Science degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Mr. Clayton Tucker, Latin, Logic, and Math 6-12
Mr. Tucker earned his BA from Montreat College in North Carolina. He was a founding faculty member of Veritas Christian Academy where he worked for 10 years teaching Latin, Math, Logic and History. He now brings his professional experience and love for Latin to the founding of this classical school.
Mrs. Linda Fox, 2nd grade Teacher 
Mrs. Fox graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio Dominican College with degrees in Theology and English and a teaching certificate. She has taught high school theology and served as an assistant Director of Religious Education. Both Homeschooling and catechetical work in a parish setting have kept her busy prior to her teaching at Ave Maria.
Mrs. Cynthia Snyder, M.A., Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Snyder graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, as well as a Certification in English as a Second Language. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Primary/Pre-Kindergarten Education from the University of Miami. She lived in Spain where she attended La Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and received certification in the Spanish language. She has 11 years experience teaching Catholic schools in Pre-primary through second grade. A native Floridian with a Colombian and Cuban background, she speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Her love for language and travel is complimented by a love for art which she incorporates in her classrooms.
Miss Christine Spenik, M.Ed., First Grade Teacher
Miss Spenik graduated from the University of Florida where she earned a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education. She has experience teaching kindergarten, first, and second grades and holds certification in English as a Second Language. Additionally, she has been teaching dance to young children since she was just 15 years old and is delighted to see this beautiful art continue at our school. She has enjoyed teaching catechism and sacramental preparation at the parish level. Her desire to impart virtue in light of the Catholic faith, combined with her passion for teaching reading is complimented by her sincere love for young children. She is a native of Naples, Florida and is excited to be part of the mission of Ave Maria.
Sister Mary Grace O.P., M.A. Grade 3
Sr. Mary Grace graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a concentration in Religious Education. Prior to entering the convent, she spent two years teaching at a Catholic school in Chicago. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching (K-9).
Sister Maria Frassati O.P., B.S. Grade 4
Sister Maria Frassati graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a teaching certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Since entering the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Sister has had the opportunity to work with students representing a broad spectrum of age and circumstance.
Sister Thomas Aquinas, O.P., B.S. 5-8 Humanities & Theology
Sr. Thomas Aquinas has been a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist since 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University, and is in the process of securing a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate. Sr. Thomas Aquinas is from Houston, Texas, but lived in Orlando, Florida, for several years. Being a Religious Sister in an Order committed to Catholic education has afforded her many opportunities to work with students of all ages, not only in the community's schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but during summer catechetical programs throughout the country. 
Sr. Isabel Cuesta SHM, Spanish Grades 1-5
Sr. Isabel has been a member of the Hogar de la Madre sisters since 1989. She is a native of Burgos, Spain. She is the superior of the Naples house for the Order and is head of Ave Maria University’s women’s discernment program.
Mrs. Anna Condit, BA Office Manager and Elementary Music
Mrs. Condit earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Franciscan University, Steubenville. She also has an endorsement in Middle School Language Arts from Eastern Michigan University. She has six years of teaching experience including three years at Spiritus Sanctus Academy, run by the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Michigan. She has provided liturgical music for both schools and parishes and is a singer/songwriter for the group Ascent which has produced two albums: Reign in Me and Toward the Heights. Mr. George Bagan, BA Middle School and High School Music
A native of Waseca, Minnesota, Mr. Bagan received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Anton Armstrong. He came to Ave Maria University in 2006 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and discern a vocation to the priesthood. In addition to teaching at Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School, he will remain a part-time student at the University and has recently become the Director of Music at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Lehigh Acres, Florida.
Mr. Patrick Muller, BA Physical Education 
Mr. Muller is a graduate of Ave Maria Univeristy with a degree in Philosophy. He currently also works in the Office of Student Life at AMU as its intramural sports coordinator.
Mrs. Maureen Boylan, BA, Art Teacher K-12
Mrs. Boylan received her BA in Art Education with minors in English and Vocal Music from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin. She completed her elementary education requirements at Northern Illinois University and Wabaunsee Community College. She has 9 years teaching art and music in public and Catholic schools at the K-12 level.