ABOUT US

Debby, Flickinger, Ph.D.

High School Faculty

Dr. Debby Flickinger is an educator, scholar, and leader in transformative education who brings her heart-centered approach to teaching critical thinking & writing for Critical Skills Academy. With a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies from CIIS and a second M.A. in Transformative Leadership expected in August 2025, she brings both academic rigor and relational teaching to every classroom, both online and in-person. With over five years of teaching experience at the college level, she now embraces the opportunity to prepare middle- and high-school students for rich and rewarding futures. Her work is grounded in care, creativity, and the belief that education should nourish both intellect and spirit. She looks forward to supporting students in finding their voice and thinking critically about the world they’re helping shape.

Diane Richard-Allerdyce, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

Diane Richard-Allerdyce brings to the table a multi-leveled teaching practice, a rich research and creative writing agenda, and extensive administrative experience within university departments as well as a charter high school she co-founded and where she served as its Chief Academic Officer for twenty-one years. She also developed and directed a teacher-training program in Haiti, where she traveled frequently from 2009 through 2019. Diane was trained as a poetry therapy facilitator through the National Association for Poetry Therapy. She is the author of multiple scholarly and creative publications. The mother of three and grandmother of four, Diane loves children and teenagers and meets them where they are in order to help them reach their highest potential.

Mathew Chacko, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

Mathew Chacko's appointments have included a tenured professorship at a highly selective Liberal Arts College in Ohio, and teaching assignments at the graduate level in a variety of disciplines. He has designed and taught a range of courses that emphasize critical thinking and writing, rigorous textual analysis, persuasive writing and independent research. Originally from India, he has lived and worked in the U.S. for nearly four decades. He is sensitive to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and believes in inspiring every learner to perform at the highest levels of excellence. He has degrees in Economics, History, Fine Arts and a Ph.D. in Literature. His work has appeared in the Kenyon Review, Missouri Review and other journals.

Diane Richard-Allerdyce

Diane Richard-Allerdyce, Ph.D., brings to the table a multi-leveled teaching practice, a rich research and creative writing agenda, and extensive administrative experience within university departments as well as a charter high school she co-founded and where she served as its Chief Academic Officer for twenty-one years. She also developed and directed a teacher-training program in Haiti, where she traveled frequently from 2009 through 2019. Diane was trained as a poetry therapy facilitator through the National Association for Poetry Therapy. She is the author of multiple scholarly and creative publications. The mother of three and grandmother of four, Diane loves children and teenagers and meets them where they are in order to help them reach their highest potential

Carol Angiers, Ph.D.

Middle School Faculty

Carol Angiers has a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies, and more than three decades of teaching experience at the Middle School level. She is dedicated to teaching students the fundamentals of reading and writing and is always devising creative and fun ways of doing so. She is deeply grounded in best practices, and at the same time flexible and attentive to each student’s needs. She loves teaching. Her students trust her and reciprocate her enthusiasm and love of learning. Carol is a mother and a lover of animals. She has been on the board of two nonprofit organizations and has done philanthropic work in many different countries. She is very excited to join Critical Skills Academy and to continue her career teaching in small classrooms dedicated to crucial learning objectives.

Jennifer Loring, Ph.D.

Creative Writing Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Loring holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies – Humanities and Culture and has been writing professionally since 2000. Spanning four novels, four novellas, and dozens of short stories, her fiction has also been included in two Bram Stoker Award-nominated anthologies. Dr. Loring has taught creative writing in Southern New Hampshire University’s MFA, MA, and BA programs since 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, turtle, and basset shepherd.

Mission Statement

To provide high-quality, small-group courses taught by exceptionally credentialed, experienced educators who are poised to meet students where they are and help them to realize their potential. We specialize in serving students and families who seek non-traditional, personalized, and innovative approaches directly related to each student's goals.

Vision Statement

To prepare our youth, the leaders of tomorrow, with the critical skills, historical knowledge, cultural competencies and innovative approaches they will need to live with integrity and purpose.