Shayla Wieser
Secretary of the Board
Education and Degrees:
- M.A. in Experimental Psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2024
- B.A. in Theology and Philosophy - Rockhurst University, 2017
- Minor in Non-profit Leadership Studies
Occupational Experience:
Mental Health Educator - Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
Message to parents:
The story of St. Margaret Clitherow is quite different than my own. She was a convert to the Catholic church, I am not. She faced religious persecution in a country that outlawed Catholicism, I have not. She was pressed to death, I still live. Though our lives are different, meditating on the life of this glorious saint has helped me understand how her martyrdom for Jesus Christ and the Holy Mass relates to all Catholics. Each of Jesus’ followers must accept the martyrdom laid out in accord with His holy will. For St. Margaret, Jesus’ will was a red martyrdom.
After St. Margaret was found hiding a chapel and priests celebrating the Holy Mass in her home, she was sentenced to death. A small sharp stone was placed on the small of her back, a door was laid on her, and, slowly, weight after weight was placed on the door until she was pressed to death. As Christians, we face persecutions and temptations against God. Inspired by St. Margaret’s red martyrdom, we must learn to embrace a white martyrdom of allowing the weight of persecutions and temptations to be placed upon us, ultimately to be united to Jesus’ supreme suffering in His passion and death.
Parents, at the Chesterton Academy of St. Margaret Clitherow, the minds and hearts of your children will be formed by faithful faculty and staff. Your children will learn to devote themselves to scholarship, activities, and community. Most importantly, your children will learn how to live a deep life of contemplation and devotion to Jesus Christ following in St. Margaret Clitherow’s example.
Extracurricular Activities:
I enjoy spending time outside, especially gardening, hiking, and playing soccer. My grandmother passed down to me her skills of sewing and quilt making, and I especially enjoy partaking in these activities during the winter months. Finally, I love reading and discussing spiritual works written by the saints.
Contact Information: