Upper School Faculty

Chiharu Dewhurst

Chiharu Dewhurst received her B.S. in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. After graduation, she lived in Florence, Italy, teaching English as Foreign Language at the University of Florence and helped students grow in their Catholic faith.  She returned to the states and taught ESL Physics for several years at high schools in Houston, Texas.  She has also taught at a classical school in Denver, Colorado, teaching Latin for 7th – 11th grade, Biology and Chemistry.  She is an avid dressage rider, enjoys alpine and cross-country skiing, golf, traveling, fishing, and camping with her husband, Andrew, along with their daughter, Vera.

Monica Kinney

Monica Kinney received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. She then moved to Anchorage, where she has lived since, working as a teacher, homeschooling mother, and private tutor. Mrs. Kinney has experience teaching a wide variety of subjects including Latin, history, and mathematics. When not working with her amazing students, she enjoys reading with her five children, spending time outdoors, spoiling her chickens, and singing in a sacred music schola. She is delighted to join the faculty of Holy Rosary Academy, and to have her family part of this community united in the pursuit of truth and goodness.

Bennett Kraemer

Bennett Kraemer received his B.A. in Education and Social Studies from Benedictine College. From there he moved to Nightmute, Alaska to teach in one of the remote native villages. He is excited to be at Holy Rosary where he can teach and watch students grow, not just intellectually, but also in their relationship with Christ. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Kraemer enjoys hunting, fishing, and taking in everything Alaska has to offer. 

Kevin Quain

Mr. Kevin Quain grew up in southeastern Michigan and attended Saint Joseph’s Academy where his love of Latin led him to pursue a B. A. in Classical Civilization at Wayne State University in Detroit. While there, he also studied Italian and completed a month-long study abroad program in Italy. Mr. Quain earned his Masters of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Upon returning home, Mr. Quain taught 7th grade at Bishop Kelley Catholic School in Michigan, and helped implement a classical curriculum there. He is thrilled to work with the community of Holy Rosary Academy again this upcoming school year.

Laura Walters, Ph.D.

Laura Walters got her B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and her MLitt and PhD in History of Art from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she also taught. This is her 10th year teaching at Holy Rosary Academy, and she also teaches homeschool groups and will begin teaching at the University of Alaska Anchorage this year. When not teaching, she enjoys making art, giving art history talks in the community, hiking, playing the piano, and spending time at home.

Welcoming…

Isaiah Martinez!

Isaiah Martinez received his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California.  A homeschooler all through high school, he is excited to work alongside parents to guide students towards lifelong engagement with the true, the good, and the beautiful.  When not grappling with the truth alongside his students, Mr. Martinez enjoys performing onstage, listening to Broadway musicals, and reading Great Books.

Christina Ford

Mrs. Ford is an accomplished singer and a regular chorister for Holy Family Old Cathedral. She is excited to be singing with the upper school students here at HRA.

Welcoming Anna Jemmings!

Anna Jemmings, an HRA graduate, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2019 from Wheaton College with a major in Political Science.  She returned to Alaska after college and worked for a local utility company in the summers, while tutoring and substitute teaching in the winters.  In her leisure time, Anna enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and spending time outside, especially near a lake or the ocean.

Welcoming Toni Berkenbush!

Toni Berkenbush received her B.A. in Biology from the University of California Riverside, after which she then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force she earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. After retiring from the military, she then went on to receive a B.S. in Nursing Science from the University of Alaska Anchorage and an M.A. in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University at Steubenville. Besides her love of math, she also enjoys reading, learning how to tie survival knots and hitches, and spending time with her husband and grandchildren.