Skip To Main Content

Meet Our New Faculty

Meet Our New Faculty

CRJS welcomed 6 new faculty members on campus in mid-July. This diverse group of educators was carefully selected from over 300 applications, and each join us with palpable passion and experience. We've all been eagerly awaiting the arrival of our founding faculty, and already they’ve accomplished so much! Their first week included professional development, logistics, and classroom preparations.


Faculty also spent a week in Chicago at the Cristo Rey Network offices to learn more about our incredible mission and develop skills that will help them succeed with our students and unique program. Each new member joining our team strengthens the CRJS program in countless ways. Read on to learn more about these exciting additions and find more information on our faculty and staff webpage

Dr. Yaiyr (Jah-eer) Astudillo-Scalia, Biology Teacher, has a B.S. in biology and a music minor from Northeastern Illinois University. She also holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in environmental life sciences from Arizona State University and completed graduate studies in clinical nutrition at Sonoran University of Health Sciences. Her 10+ years of teaching experience include high school and college courses in biology and environmental science.  As someone who put herself through school, taking 13 years to complete her bachelor’s degree, Yaiyr understands first-hand the struggle minorities face when pursuing their education. She is also passionate about embracing and nurturing a holistic approach that expands beyond academics to include other aspects of human well-being, growth, and development. Yaiyr loves spending time by the ocean, dancing to different cultural styles, cooking dishes from around the world, and learning new languages. 

Samuel Carlson, Religion Teacher and Campus Minister, graduated with a B.A. in theology from Notre Dame University and an M.A. in biblical languages and literature from Loyola University Chicago. He has been a teacher of theology for ten years at Loyola Academy in the suburbs of Chicago and Bishop Blanchet in Seattle. In addition to his years in education, Samuel has served in ministry for five years as a youth/young adult minister and service coordinator. Samuel is passionate about mission-driven Catholic education and believes that for a school to truly live that identity, it must be financially accessible and culturally inclusive. He has spent his career encouraging young people to take greater agency of their Catholic faith and diversifying curriculums to better represent the Church around the world. He is excited to prepare our students spiritually for life in the 21st century. Samuel loves reading, singing, cooking, woodworking, cooperative storytelling, and the Chicago Bears and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teams. 

Claire DeSelm, English Teacher, has a B.A. with dual majors in history and political science and a minor in peace studies from Notre Dame University. Her studies focused on race, gender, and labor in the American South. She also has an M.A. from Notre Dame in education, specializing in secondary social studies education. Claire was a teacher at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep for three years before teaching at Kennedy Catholic last year. After her work at Cristo Rey Dallas, she saw first-hand the power of the model for students and their families. She believes all students deserve a rigorous and supportive education that prepares them for their chosen future. Cristo Rey is the avenue to ensure this opportunity for students who may not have the opportunity due to historical and economic inequities. Claire loves spending time outdoors - running, biking, swimming, skiing, hiking – cooking and eating flavorful food and exploring farmers markets and festivals. 

Henok (Enoch) Elias, History Teacher, has a B.A. in political science and philosophy and an M.A. in dispute resolution, both from Pepperdine University. His six+ years of experience include working at public district, public charter, and parochial schools in the greater Los Angeles area. Henok loves history and hopes his passion is contagious, so that hearing about the past enables them to better tell their own stories. Enoch, which means dedicated one in Biblical Hebrew, is dedicated to glorifying Cristo as Rey by helping south Seattle families cut across class barriers and blossom according to the flesh and spirit. Henok loves learning, whether in community or alone, everything there is to learn about the traditional schools of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahdo Church. When he’s not learning, he’s practicing Judo or Jujitsu, learning a new language, or walking to a cafe to try a new cup of coffee. 

Curtis Leighton, Spanish Teacher and Director of Student Life, graduated from Bishop Blanchet High School and finished college at Seattle University with a degree in English and theology. After college, he joined Teach for America. He also has an M.A. in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and an M.A. in education administration from Seattle University. Curtis has spent over 15 years teaching religion and Spanish, working as a youth minister at Gonzaga University, and Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at St. James Cathedral. Curtis is passionate about CRJS because he believes a transformative, liberating Jesuit education should be accessible to all. He is inspired by the three words an early Jesuit used to describe the mission of the Society of Jesus, “From the heart, in the spirit, and practical.” He aspires to bring all three to his teaching. Curtis loves traveling, cooking, and spending time at his local parish. He also has a collection of Catholic kitsch that threatens to take over his home. 

Adriana Silva, Math Teacher, is currently pursuing her M.A. in education at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. With over five years of experience in Catholic high schools, she’s primarily served as a math teacher. She also spent three years as the Director of Student Activities, where she empowered students with valuable insights into leadership and community service. Adriana is drawn to CRJS because our mission aligns with her personal values and aspirations for education. She believes in cultivating a life-long love for learning and instilling a sense of responsibility towards others. She is excited to work with a team of well-rounded individuals who are drawn to the same mission. Adriana loves to learn and explore. She finds joy in traveling, cooking, and trying new dishes from different ethnicities. 

Join us as we welcome this incredible group of leaders and wish them luck as we prepare for the first day of Montserrat Summer Bridge in just a few days! 


 

Sign Up to Receive Emails

Required

Namerequired
First Name
Last Name
I am a: