DUBLIN OAK ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Science, Geography and EFL Teacher
Job Titles:
- LC - Instructor of Formation
Br. Gerardo was born in Táchira, Venezuela. He joined the Legion of Christ in the city of Barquisimeto, in the state of Lara in 2002. He studied classical humanities in Salamanca Spain from 2007 to 2010. In 2012 he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Pontifical Athaeneum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy. From 2012 to 2016 he worked at the Irish Institute in Mexico City as a teacher, coach and formation instructor of middle school and high school students. From 2016 to 2018 he returned to Rome and finished a licence in philosophy with specialisation in anthropology. He has an associate's degree in neuroscience and a diploma in theology of the body.
Job Titles:
- LC / Housemaster, Munster House
Br. Sebastián was born in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. He joined the Legion of Christ in that city in 2010. He obtained his bachelor's degree in philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy. At the same time, he obtained a Diploma in Accompaniment from Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid. In 2013 he studied at the Legion of Christ College of Humanities in Cheshire, Connecticut, where he obtained an Associate degree in Arts and Humanities. He has been trained and specialises for work in youth formation and counselling for adolescents in secondary levels of education.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Ryan Clear moved to Orlando, in the USA, when he was 10 years old. He lived in Italy for several years where he studied and worked as an English teacher. In October 2017, Ryan moved to Dublin to start working at Dublin Oak Academy as a dean, and in July of 2018, he moved into the role of Head of Section 2. Although he is new to the academy, he has been involved with the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi since 2008. Ryan speaks fluent Italian and Spanish, and holds a degree in Classical Humanities and Philosophy.
Job Titles:
- Nurse, [Personal Info to Be Updated Soon.]
Originally from Belgium, Esther has a Bachelor's in Business and a Postgraduate degree in Education. She taught English for 5 years in Belgium, and currently teaches French privately in the Dublin area. She worked for Woodlands Academy for 3 years as a Dean of Discipline and recently joined the Dublin Oak Academy formation team.
Fr. Georg was born in Aachen, Germany. After his PhD in Physics at the University of Dortmund, Germany, he entered in 1994 the Novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ. He was ordained priest in December 2002.
He obtained a baccalaureate in Philosophy and a licentiate in Theology at the Pontificial Atheneum Regina Apostolorum. He also holds a black belt in Judo (2nd Dan)
In 2005 after his studies in Rome he started his priestly and apostolic work in Germany. In 2007 he was assigned to the adult section of the Regnum Christi Movement in Düsseldorf.
From January 2010 on he acted as Territorial Administrator of the Territory of Germany and in 2011 he was nominated Territorial Administrator of the new created Territory of Western and Central Europe.
Fr. Joseph is from New York City, USA. After serving in the US Navy he joined the Legion in 1993. His formation began in Connecticut, continued in Rome and he gained pastoral experiences as well in Mexico, Argentina and Switzerland. Finally he was ordained in the Eternal City on the 24th of December of 2005 and thus began his priestly ministry in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Since then he has also carried out ministries in California, Louisiana and Indiana. He has been in Dublin since 2015 when he was assigned as Superior of the Legionary Community and Vice Director of Dublin Oak Academy.
Fr. Oscar was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and joined the Legion of Christ in 1996, after almost ten years of active life in ECYD and Regnum Christi. Prior to starting his formation as a Legionary, he obtained a degree in Industrial Engineering and then served for one year as a Regnum Christi voluntary missionary in Monterrey, México. He was ordained a priest in 2007.
Throughout his years of ministry in North America and various European countries, he has developed an ample experience in many fields of apostolate: administration, teaching, founding and managing new schools, family counselling, evangelization missions, spiritual retreats, youth counselling and chaplaincy. Among his various missions, he worked in Dublin Oak from 1999 to 2002 and was a member of the General Management of all the Oak International academies from 2002 to 2005. He was the Territorial Administrator for the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi in Spain and other European countries from 2005 to2015. He recently finished his commission as Territorial Administrator in Chile.
Fr. Oscar is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Italian. He has extensive experience in working with Catholic and educational organizations in a service-oriented environment. He is skilled in pastoral guidance, administration and finances, strategic planning, public speaking, counselling, and has a broad experience in change management.
Fr. Valentin was born in Meran, South Tyrol, a German-speaking region in the north of Italy, in 1979. He joined the Legion of Christ in the year 2000, after a period of studies in Viena, Austria. He was ordained priest in December 2010 at the same time as his two-years-older brother Thomas who followed him to be a Legionary in 2001.
After passing several periods of internship during his formation, he came to the Apostolic School in Bad Münstereifel (Germany) and became its director from 2011 until 2018. In August 2018 he replaced Fr. Andreas Schöggl as Territorial Director of Western and Central Europe.
His passion is to see how young people find their place in the world starched by an authentic and deep relationship to Jesus Christ and become his dedicated apostles.
Deacon Wolfgang is from Lake of Constance, Germany. He joined the novitiate in Germany and completed his studies of classical humanities in Salamanca, Spain. He obtained a Bachelor's in Philosophy in New York and Rome. He obtained a postgraduate diploma in Psychology for teachers and a postgraduate diploma in Didactics. In 2019 he graduated summa cum laude in theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. On the 6th of July he was ordained a deacon and he will be ordained a Priest in Rome in May 2020. He has been working in the formation of youth for over 10 years.
Gerry has worked at Dublin Oak Academy for many years and looks after the grounds around the school.
Mr. Douglas is from Bray, Wicklow. He started working in Dublin Oak Academy in 2014 as a Physical Education teacher, and in 2018, he began working as Dean of Discipline. Mr. Douglas began his studies in 2012. Firstly, he gained a Higher Certificate in Sports and Recreation Management and then moved on to obtain a diploma in Sport Development. He recently graduated from Technological University Dublin in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Science and Health. Mr. Douglas is also a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer. Since 2011, he has played in the League of Ireland soccer league, the highest level of soccer in the Republic of Ireland. He is currently completing his UEFA B soccer licence. Working as Physical Education teacher, Sports Coach, and Dean of Discipline in Dublin Oak Academy gives Mr. Douglas the opportunity to pass on his experiences to the students. He takes great pride in helping and assisting with the formation of students in every aspect of life in Dublin Oak Academy. He also works in Woodlands Academy, the sister school of Dublin Oak Academy, as a Soccer Coach.
Job Titles:
- Classical Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- Head Soccer Coach and EFL Teacher
Judy is responsible for the cleaning duties in the main school.
Job Titles:
- Nurse, [Personal Info to Be Updated Soon.]
Liam maintains the club area/games room/science lab. Liam commenced working in Dublin Oak in 2005.
Lucía is from Valencia, Spain; his professional training includes a Diploma in ‘Teaching Early Childhood Education', a Masters Degree in ‘Neuroeducation and Optimisation of Abilities'. She also trained in ‘Ecclesiastical Declaration of Academic Competence" (DECA)', and has a ‘Spanish as a Foreign Language' Certificate. Lucía has also done complementary training in ‘Sexual-Affective Education Monitor (TeenSTAR)', ‘Educational competences and attention to diversity: Programme, development and evaluation', seminars in ‘Educational Psychology, Neuroscience and Education' and ‘Emotional Intelligence', and other fields.
Lucía has had an ample and rich professional experience as Volunteer Leisure Time Monitor in a Scout Group, Extra-curricular and English teacher, Sexual-Affective Education Monitor (TeenSTAR), Primary and Secondary Teacher, Volunteer part-time Spanish Teacher, Psychoeducational Expert, Infant Education Teacher, in Valencia, Glasgow, and Dublin.
Job Titles:
- Maintenance and Bus Driver
Mark commenced working for Dublin Oak as the bus/coach driver in 2002, later moving into the Maintenance Dept but still working as a driver part time.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist, [Personal Info to Be Updated Soon.]
Job Titles:
- History and English Literature Teacher
Job Titles:
- Director of Oak International Academies
Born in Mexico City, Javier holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Anahuac University and a Master's degree in School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.
He worked as a High School Catholic Formation teacher at the Cumbres Institute in Mexico in the 1991-1992 school year.
He then started working as financial analyst and private banker. After 5 years in the financial sector, he arrived to Oaklawn Academy in Edgerton, Wisconsin in 1998 where he served as principal for almost 17 years.
Since August 2015 he has been appointed Executive Director of Oak International Academies.
He enjoys music as well as playing and watching soccer. He now lives in Atlanta Ga.
Job Titles:
- Housemaster, Ulster House
Mr. Doran was born in Dublin, not too far away from the Academy. He joined the Academy in 1998, initially as a soccer coach. This role soon evolved into Head Dean and Sports coordinator. Mr. Doran is a keen runner and is our cross country running instructor and P.E. teacher. He is a UEFA B licence soccer coach and is currently the Wexford FC U.15 team manager. This is a National league elite team that play in the Airtricity National League of Ireland. Working as a Dean and a sports instructor gives Mr. Doran great experience when it comes to helping in the formation of the students.
Registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland, Mr. Pattison has over 20 years' experience teaching in Ireland and abroad, including the Middle East and Russia.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal Oaklawn Academy
Mr. Thomas Ryan Vice Principal Oaklawn Academy Based in Michigan, USA Tom was born in Limerick Ireland. He has a license in Theoretical Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He entered the Novitiate in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. He finished novitiate and went to Rome to study philosophy. He worked as dean in the Institute Cumbres middle school in Vista Hermosa, Mexico City from 1983 - 1987. He started working at Oaklawn Academy in 1987, where he is presently working. He has worked as a Dean of Section, Head Dean and for the last 17 years, Assistant Principal. Some of his responsibilities at the academy are: Facilitator for Virtus, Representative for the school with Praesidium and being vigilant that all employees follow the safe environment protocol. Tom also enjoys fishing.
Victor was born in Mexico City. He learned English in Ireland as a student of Dublin Oak in 1981-82.
He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from Universidad Anahuac and an MBA from Georgetown University.
He worked in corporate banking for Bank of Montreal in Toronto, New York City and Chicago.
After 6 years in banking Victor took the position of Director of Finance for the Legion of Christ in North America. A position he held until 2016 when he started his own financial consulting business serving Catholic organizations in the United States.
He lives with his wife and four children in New Hampshire.
Mrs. Arnal has a vast experience as headmistress and manager of boarding schools in the UK, Sherborne International School Dorset, and St Mary's School Shaftesbury, Dorset. She has established excellent partnerships abroad and worked on plans for the development of some of these schools.
Previously, she was Head at St Teresa's Prep School in Surrey and prior to this she was Senior Housemistress at St John's School Leatherhead where she was also an English and Psychology teacher for 10 years. She oversaw the academic and pastoral welfare of the Sixth Form Girls boarding house, including their successful admission to the university of their choice. She also taught English at Colegio Anglo-Americano Prescott in Arequipa, Peru.
An applied linguist with a Master's degree from Edinburgh University, a senior teacher and university lecturer, Mrs. Arnal has taught in both the private and maintained sector; her specialist subjects are English Language, English Literature, Psychology, Philosophy and Spanish. Her teaching has also taken her abroad where she worked at the Mary Ward Catholic College's in Spain. She has been proprietor of an International Summer school in Ireland, experienced in business and finance and holds a diploma in Marketing from the University of Ulster. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is a qualified examiner and inspector.
Married to a mathematical analyst, Don Antonio Arnal, she has two sons. A Catholic, she describes herself as British by birth, Irish by blood and Spanish in spirit!
Job Titles:
- Director of Woodlands Academy
Cecilia Azcunaga is the Director of Woodlands Academy, our sister school in Ireland.
Cecilia was born in Monterrey, N.L., México and consecrated her life to God in 1998 in Regnum Christi. Cecilia holds a bachelor in Education and Development from the Anahuac University and a bachelor in Religious Sciences from the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum in Rome. She started her apostolic work in 2002 as the Vice-Director at Immaculate Conception Academy in Rhode Island, USA, where she also obtained a specialization in Adolescent Psychology from the Institute of Psychological Sciences in Washington, DC. Cecilia continued working with teenagers and families in Atlanta, GA (2004-2007), Chicago (2007-2010) and Washington DC (2010-2011) From 2011 to 2015, Cecilia served as the Vice-President and Director of Student Affairs at the Mater Ecclesiae College in Greenville, RI.
She arrived at Woodlands in 2015 and became the director since then. She is passionate about helping young people develop their personalities and seeing each generation of Woodlands girls become better persons through their experience in Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Territorial Director of the Consecrated
Ms. Jacinta Curran Territorial Director of the Consecrated Based in Düsseldorf, Germany Born in Dublin, Ireland During her secondary school years in Mount Anville Convent School she got to know Regnum Christi. After obtaining a degree in Psychology from University College Dublin in 1981 she initiated her formation as a consecrated member in Rome, Italy. In 1984 she founded Overbook academy in Orange, Connecticut where she spent almost 6 years. She then spent a year studying a course on Marriage and Family at the Lateran University in Rome and then served as principal of the Irish Institute in Mexico City for 8 years before returning to Europe. She worked in a school in Vienna, Austria for some years and travelled helping to coordinate the work of consecrated women in Central and Eastern Europe. She spent 10 years in Seville, Spain, 9 of them as principal of the Highlands School. Since March 2014 she has served as territorial director of the consecrated of Regnum Christi for the Central and Western European territory.
Mr Carrion was born in Sevilla, Spain, in 1989, where he studied in Catholic Schools, like "CIA de María" and "San Antonio María Claret". After graduating from high school, he studied Physical Education and Primary Education in the University of Sevilla, and also became a UEFA coach. He has been working with children in kindergartens, schools and high school for 10 years, among which, "Highlands School Sevilla", a Regnum Christi School, as teacher and football coach. A lover of sports, Mr Carrion has worked as a semi-professional football coach in Spain, for teams such "Pablo de Olavide" University. In his spare time, he also enjoys volunteering in Catholic organizations.
Job Titles:
- Game Design and CS50 Teacher
Job Titles:
- Secretary, [Personal Info to Be Updated Soon.]