Meet Some of Our Staff...
All Seton counselors are able to answer general questions about courses, methodology and materials. In addition, counselors have specific areas of academic expertise. If your question is of a technical nature (e.g., “I don’t understand how to solve problem 3 on page 56 in Algebra I.”), you should ask to be referred to the counselor who has responsibility for that area.
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(540) 636-9990, x134
Director
Dr. Mary Kay Clark has taken an active role in educational and political issues for over 40 years.
Dissatisfied with the schools available when she resided in Columbus, Ohio, she and other parents established a private Catholic elementary school, Mater Dei Academy, in 1971, where she served as principal for nine years.
Seeing firsthand the opportunities and the pitfalls of private schooling, Dr. Clark left Mater Dei Academy and began teaching her children at home. While in Ohio, she helped establish the state’s home schooling association. Upon moving to Virginia in 1982, she became director of the recently established Seton Home Study School. In 1983, she helped found the Home Educator’s Association of Virginia, for which she served as Executive Secretary for several years.
Under her direction, Seton Home Study School has grown from 340 students in 1985, to more than 10,000 students currently enrolled in the United States and internationally.
Dr. Clark received a B.A. from Ursuline College, a Masters in Library Science from Case Western Reserve University, a Ph.D. in Education from Assumption University, and an M.A. in School Administration from Grace College.
Besides being a frequent speaker at home education and family conferences, Dr. Clark is also a frequent guest on radio and television programs. She has written many articles on home schooling, and has authored the best-selling book, Catholic Home Schooling: A Handbook for Parents.
Dr. Clark is the mother of seven children, all of whom she has educated at home, and who are teaching their own children at home.
(540) 636-1527
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Latin, French, ReligionFather Constantine, a counselor for Seton since 1995, obtained his B.A. in philosophy, history, and literature from St. Mary’s College in St. Mary, KY. His degree in theology is from St. Regis College, University of Toronto, and his Master’s in Divinity is from St. Mary’s University, Halifax Nova Scotia. Father Constantine taught at Regis High School in New York City, the most prestigious Jesuit school in the United States for scholarship. Father was ordained as a Melkite (Byzantine Catholic) priest in Cairo, Egypt, and taught English for 13 years at the Patriarchial College in Heliopolis, Egypt.
(540) 635-4728
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High School course approvalsFather Deacon Eugene McGuirk has been married for 25 years and is the father of 4 children who have been home schooled through Seton for 7 years. His oldest graduated from Christendom College. He was ordained a deacon in 1988. Deacon Gene earned his BA from Queens College, NY, an MA from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from Adelphi University of NY. He is currently working towards an MA in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Before coming to Seton he worked in medical research, business and taught at the middle school and college levels. Mr. McGuirk takes academic counseling questions by phone or e-mail for Accounting, Chemistry, Economics, and Logic.
(540) 636-1199
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High School History, Government, current politics, Home Schooling in generalMr. Clark, a Who’s Who historian, majored in history at John Carroll University and the University of Alaska before serving two tours of duty as a Green Beret Captain in U.S. Special Forces. Since his return from military service, he has taught or supervised almost every level of academic and vocational education. He has also been a radio talk show host, as well as a consultant and speaker for a variety of historical and political organizations. A home schooling father of seven, Mr. Clark has been the Seton Historian since 1989. The author of four historical novels: The Custer Legacy, The Castro Conspiracy, The Blood-Red Flag, and Redcoats and Rebels.
(540) 622-5526
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Counseling Department, Home schooling encouragementCecilia has been with Seton since 1998. She is currently home schooling her high school daughter. Her past work experience includes working with industrial engineers and as a technician in a quality control laboratory. She is available for general curriculum questions, elementary math help, assistance with how to home school, and encouragement for moms.
(540) 636-1396
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High School Math, Home schooling encouragementMr. Valaike, who has been with Seton since 1996, graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, with twenty-five years of experience in engineering projects. He is the grandfather of two homeschooling grandchildren.
Elizabeth Alcott
(540) 636-2342
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Elementary CounselingElizabeth has been with Seton since 2006, grading high school English assignments, assisting with curriculum development and answering questions about elementary level courses. A former Seton student, she graduated magna cum laude from Franciscan University of Steubenville, earning her Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Writing. She is a religious education teacher at her parish. She also enjoys working on dramatic productions with the local homeschooling community as an assistant director and costume coordinator.
Elementary Counseling
Pat Walker has been with Seton Home Study School since 1993. Pat graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. degree in French, having attended a semester of classes at the University of Aix-Marseille in France. Pat had several jobs as a French instructor, but in 1990, started learning about children with learning disabilities. She has attended more than a dozen conferences on helping children with special learning needs, and has been a member of various organizations to help parents to teach special needs children. Pat was head of the Seton Home Study School Special Services department, then left to work on curriculum development, to adapt the regular Seton curriculum to accommodate children enrolled in our Special Services Department. In addition to her work in curriculum development, Pat is now working one day a week in the regular Elementary Counseling department.
Elementary Counseling
Sharon Hassett started working for Seton Home Study School as an Elementary Counselor in mid 2007. Sharon graduated from the University of Maryland with her B.S. in Special Education. Sharon worked as a teacher for several years in Special Education classrooms, and home schooled her two sons with the Seton Home Study School curriculum. Sharon is currently working three days a week as an Elementary Counselor.
(540) 636-1755
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High School EnglishWalker Solis joined Seton as an English grader in March of 2007 and now works as a High School English and Literature counselor. He was home schooled with Seton from 4th grade to his graduation in 2001. He was on the Dean’s List and graduated with a B.A. in English writing from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. While there, he was the editor of two campus journals.
Christine Collins
(540) 636-1633
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High School EnglishChristine graduated from Christendom College with a degree in English Literature. Her favorite classes were Literary Criticism, Catholic Literary Revival, and The Inklings. She was homeschooled from fifth through twelfth grades. She enjoys helping students to understand and better appreciate literature, and she hopes that her love of literature will help to instill a lifelong desire to enjoy literature in her students. A classically trained soprano, Christine has collaborated with other Christendom artists on the production of a number of CD’s.
(540) 622-5529
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Admissions Director, American Government CounselorMr. Kraske graduated from Widener University School of Law in the top third of his class with honors in Constitutional Law and Legislation. Before joining Seton, Mr. Kraske worked on pro-life issues in Washington DC. He has three young daughters, Amira, Kayla and Zoe.
(540) 622-5551
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AdmissionsMr. Kosten, who has been with Seton since 1995, graduated with a B.B.A. in Marketing from Florida Atlantic University. He assisted his wife with homeschooling two of their children. He is available to help with questions pertaining to the admission process.
(540) 622-5537
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AdmissionsManuel Vicente joined Seton as an Admissions Counselor. He also assists with Spanish and Math counseling. He is the father of four children, three of which are homeschooling with Seton. He graduated with a B.S. in meteorology from Florida State University and has worked as a forecaster with the U.S Air Force and as a Spanish-language forecaster on radio and T.V. in Miami. He has coordinated education programs in Florida’s prison system for several years, is familiar with GED testing, and is a certified math teacher. Manuel and his family recently spent several months as missionaries in the highlands of Peru.
(540) 636-2238
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College Entrance, Graduation requirements, Independent StudyMr. Wiesner, who has been with Seton since 1992, holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Christendom College, Virginia, and an M.A. in Theological Studies from the Maryknoll School of Theology, New York. He also holds a Pontifical Certificate of Catechetical Qualification. He has taught at Catholic high schools for more than twelve years.
(540) 622-5525
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Head of the Grading DepartmentRhonda Way graduated from Boston University with a degree in Political Science. Rhonda had experience in administration before she came with Seton Home Study School in 2000 as a grader. Very quickly, Rhonda took over as the Administrator and Evaluator of all the Elementary Graders, and after a few years, became Head of the whole Grading Department. She answers questions dealing with grades and grading for the High School students, while her assistant, Bruce Hacker, answers questions regarding grades and grading for the Elementary level students.
(540) 622-5546
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Head of Special ServicesStephen received his Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude in Psychology and Religion from the University of Mary Washington in 2000, and his Master of Teaching in Special Education with an endorsement in Learning Disabilities from the University of Virginia in 2002. He spent two years teaching children with learning difficulties in the public school system and has experience administering and interpreting the Woodcock Johnson III Achievement Test and designing and implementing IEPs and Behavior Modification Plans. Stephen taught a First Communion Catechism class at St. Joseph’s in Richmond. He is married with four young children.
Tom Herlihy
(540) 636-1846
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Math, High School ScienceTom Herlihy, one of Seton’s high school math counselors, answers your questions regarding high school math. He is currently homeschooling his four children. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College and is a certified high school math teacher.
