Faculty Directory

Lauren Morath was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas. She is a convert to the Catholic faith and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she and her husband taught religious education and Natural Family Planning for several years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Lauren is passionate about classical, Catholic education and taught at Notre Dame Catholic School for 5 years and Holy Family Classical Academy for 2 years. She has 5 children who attend Holy Family Classical Academy, Chesterton Academy of St. Isidore (the online Chesterton Academy), and she has a Freshman who will attend Chesterton Academy of Wichita Falls this year! She lives in Charlie, Texas, where she and her husband own and operate The King’s Good Vineyard & Berry Farm. She is also co-owner of The Taxidermists’ Woodshop and co-founder of Chesterton Academy of Wichita Falls. Lauren is beyond excited about the opening of CAWF this fall and about starting a new adventure as the Executive Director of the school.

Father Moreno is the Pastor at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Burkburnett, Christ the King in Iowa Park, and St. Paul in Electra. Father Moreno is super excited for the Chesterton Academy of Wichita Falls campus to be in the Education Center at St. Jude Thaddeus in Burkburnett! After his wife of 20 years passed away, Fr. Moreno received God’s call to the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ. In seminary, he was pleased to discover an affinity for Scripture Study, homiletics, and Sacred Liturgy, in particular. He graduated with degrees in Sacred Theology, Divinity, and Pastoral Ministry. He is looking forward to being the school chaplain at Chesterton Academy, and he has graciously offered to provide Holy Mass daily for our students, as well as regular access to the Sacraments. In his spare time (?) Fr. Moreno enjoys visiting his daughter, coffee, gardening, reading, hunting, and catering to the whims of his feline roommates, Shadowcat and Lockheed.

Amanda Pugh is originally from Pierre, SD. In 2021 she graduated from Benedictine College with degrees in secondary education, English, and theology and is preparing to graduate with an MA in English literature from the University of South Dakota. During her time at Benedictine College and into graduate school, she developed a passion for finding connections between literature and theology, so she is beyond excited to teach in an environment that integrates these and other subjects in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Definitely a melancholic, her morning routine involves a cup of coffee, morning prayer, and staring out the window pondering deep thoughts. In the rest of her free time, you might find her reading, writing, experimenting in the kitchen, or watching cheesy movies with friends. She is looking forward to joining the Wichita Falls community and getting to know the students and families of Chesterton Academy. Amanda will be teaching theology, literature, history, and Latin.

Imelda Hallenbeck grew up in nearby Scotland Texas, and is glad to be back home after a 50 year absence. After graduating from high school, she joined the Air Force, learned Russian at the Defense Language Institute, worked at the National Security Agency, and met her husband. Through the GI Bill she earned a bachelor's degree in education, Pre-K – 9: Math, and a graduate degree, Pre-K – 6 in Reading. She and her husband have eight children; she home-schooled the last four through high school, using an online academy with a classical curriculum. After her last child left home, she worked as an upper school tutor at a classical hybrid school, where she taught a variety of subjects. Loving and wishing to pass on the Catholic faith, she has taught CCD classes, co-founded a pro-life youth group, and been involved in teaching RCIA. Most recently, she has volunteered to become the new Sacristan at her home parish. Mrs. Hallenbeck will be teaching Geometry this year at Chesterton Academy.

Mr. Winn was born in Wichita Falls, TX and graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School. He studied philosophy at St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, as a seminarian for the Diocese of Fort Worth. He holds a B.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. In addition to serving as the Director of Music and Liturgy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mr. Winn teaches Latin, Music, Religion, and Theatre at Holy Family Classical Academy and will teach ninth grade Music for Chesterton Academy. He is currently earning a Diploma in Ecclesiastical Latin from Veterum Sapientia Institute and studying organ and piano at the Sacred Music Institute of America. A Benedictine at heart, Mr. Winn is dedicated to beautiful liturgy, sacred music, and Catholic education. His hobbies include reading books, trying local breweries, and hanging out with friends.