Our Administration
Rachel Erickson
Head of School
Rachel Erickson taught at Whitefish Christian Academy for twelve years, and served as Assistant Head of School for two years, before transitioning to her current role as Head of School. A native of Great Falls, MT, Rachel earned her B. A. in Elementary Education from Montana State University. She and her husband Shane have lived in the Flathead Valley since 2007 and have two children, Madison and Jase, who both attend the Academy.
Dr. Matt Paulson
Academic Dean
Latin (5-8) & Logic (7-8)
Matt Paulson was born in Glasgow, Montana, grew up in the Flathead Valley, and graduated from Whitefish High School. Dr. Paulson holds a B.A. from the University of Montana with a double major in Philosophy and Classics, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Theology from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He teaches Latin and Logic at the Academy. He and his wife, Keziah, have three children, one who has graduated and two who currently attend the Academy.
Burton Gildersleeve
Director of Marketing & Athletics
Humanities (6) & Basketball (4-8)
Burton earned his B.A. from Colby College in Maine, and there received the Walker Grant for excellence in Latin American Studies. Post-Colby he studied marketing at Cornell University. Before transitioning to education, Burton served as Senior Consultant of an international technology firm for which he oversaw domestic and foreign partnerships with leading apparel brands. At WCA Burton is the Director of Athletics and Marketing, teaches 6th Humanities, and coaches the boys and girls basketball teams.
Corey Gildersleeve
Department Chair, Science & Math
Science (4-8)
Corey earned her B.S. with a double major in biology and environmental science from Colby College. She completed her M.S. in Education at Johns Hopkins University with a double concentration in science and mathematics. Corey taught for Miami-Dade Public Schools where she won the Thomas Easton Prize for Science teaching. She was also nominated for the Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching. Following that tenure, Corey was Director of Mathnasium in Palmetto Bay, FL. As the Academy’s Department Chair of Science and Mathematics, Corey teaches all upper-level science classes, and oversees and evaluates the Math and Science curricula.
Jessica Sliman
Department Chair, Reading & Literature
4th Grade
Jessica grew up in Naperville, Illinois and graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing. After moving several times to several different states, she is happy to call Whitefish home. At the Academy Jessica teaches 4th grade and serves as the Department Chair of Reading & Literature. She lives here with her husband, Donovan, and her daughters Grace and Neva. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Our Faculty & Staff
Allene McDade
Preschool
Allene and her husband are originally from Fort Worth, TX, and have lived here in the valley for four years. Before their move to Whitefish, Allene completed her EMT License from Paris Junior College, and following that licensure worked two years for the Choctaw Ambulance Authority in Oklahoma. Allene has two children, Mazie and Steele, who both attend the Academy. When not at school, Allene and her family enjoy camping and exploring our region's many lakes.
Lynda Morrison
Pre-Kindergarten
Lynda has served in Pre-K and children’s ministry for more than thirty years. Her formal childcare training was completed at Diablo Valley College in Concord, CA. Lynda’s passion is to help children and parents make a smooth transition to the school environment while assisting the child to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Lynda’s love for the Lord, her students, and their families is evidenced in her caring and gentle manner in the classroom. You may learn more about her storied class here.
Carrie Broughton
Kindergarten
Carrie Broughton has worked with children for 26 years, and has been with us at the Academy for 15 years. Prior to her transition to Kindergarten, Carrie taught our PreSchool classes at Whitefish Christian Academy. Her extensive and varied classroom experience, along with her kind and patient demeanor, make Carrie an excellent Kindergarten teacher.
Erin Hale
1st Grade
Erin holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Azusa Pacific University, and an M.A. in Teaching, with a Specialization in Reading, from National University. She arrives to Whitefish Christian Academy with twenty years of rich, varied educational experience. We’re blessed to have Erin teach our 1st grade class.
Anna Kron
2nd Grade
Anna is a native of Helena, MT, but comes to the valley from Las Vegas, NV, where she taught for 21 years. Anna has her B.A. from MSU-Billings and her M.A. from Touro University-Las Vegas. In the classroom Anna enjoys those "lightbulb" moments in which things become clear and alive for her students. She likewise enjoys seeing the world as her students see it - full of vivid color. Outside of class Anna is an avid runner, and with her husband, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking and travelling.
Rita Houston
3rd Grade
Rita earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she majored in Education and minored in Psychology. Shortly after her graduation in 1993, Rita moved to Whitefish, where she and her family have lived ever since. Here in the valley Rita has taught, substitute-taught and homeschooled, and she feels blessed to make her return to the classroom. Outside of class, Rita and her family enjoy world travel, mountain biking, hiking, and all things that involve our great outdoors.
Jessica Sliman
Department Chair, Reading & Literature
4th Grade
Jessica grew up in Naperville, Illinois and graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing. After moving several times to several different states, she is happy to call Whitefish home. At the Academy Jessica teaches 4th grade and serves as the Reading Lead for K-4. She lives here with her husband, Donovan, and her daughters Grace and Neva. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking, hiking, and spending time in nature.
James Chertudi
5th Grade
History & Bible Lead (K-4)
James Chertudi graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Japanese. He then moved to Japan and taught English for three years. Since returning to the U.S., he has taught fifth grade at the Academy, as well as middle-school math, algebra, and computer programming. In addition to those responsibilities, James helps develop the Academy's K-4 Bible and History curriculums, and serves as a resource for teachers in those two areas. James and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters who both attend the Academy.
Molly Fisher
Mathematics (4-8)
Molly Fisher earned her B.A. in Education from Montana State University, and before arriving here to the Academy, taught mathematics in schools such as Olney-Bissell, White Sulphur Springs and Ronan. At WCA Miss Fisher teaches Singapore Math to students in grades 4-8.
Outside of school you’ll find Miss Fisher exactly there – outside. Miss Fisher is an avid outdoorswoman and longtime competitive barrel racer. Miss Fisher enjoys talking horsemanship with our upper school students, too, some who have participated in our Horsemanship Program for several years.
Holden Sieler
Humanities (7th & 8th)
At the Academy Holden Sieler teaches 7th and 8th Humanities. Holden began his college career studying Philosophy and English Literature at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. He then transferred to Montana State University, where he graduated with a degree in English Literature. Beyond the classroom Holden is a published author with the likes of Outside Bozeman and Big Sky Journal. Holden enjoys reading, writing, Nordic skiing, fly fishing, and good conversation.
Deborah Natelson
Music (K-8)
Ms. Natelson, a native of Missoula, MT, earned her M.A. at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She has over a decade of formal music training, and is proficient in flute, oboe, piano, clarinet, saxophone and more. At WCA Ms. Natelson teaches our K-8 music, leads our school in Chapel and Cantabile, and orchestrates our annual Christmas and Spring Concerts.
Kayla Fisher
P.E. & Outdoors Ed.; Nature Studies; Volleyball
Kayla Fisher earned a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. At the Academy, Kayla runs our P.E. & Outdoors Program, a hybrid program unique to our school and our place in beautiful Montana. She also coaches our 5th-6th and 7th-8th volleyball teams. Kayla is passionate about helping our students develop those skills and character traits that lead to well-rounded, active lifestyles.
Tiffany Davenport
Art (K-6)
Tiffany Davenport teaches Elementary Art at the Academy. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from Hope International University in Fullerton, California. Along with her husband and two daughters, Tiffany moved to the Flathead Valley in 2015. She loves being able to share both her passion for art and love for the Lord in her community.
Justine Hamstra
Art (6-8)
Justine holds a B.A. in both Arts Administration and Art History. Prior to WCA, Justine taught grades 4 and 5. She is very familiar with classical education, and looks forward to building a strong art program with our upper school students.
Darlene Meehan
Secretary
Darlene was born and raised in Whitefish. She was blessed to attend Whitefish Christian Academy as a young girl. The Academy has always held a warm place in her heart, and she loves giving back to the place that so deeply impacted her life. She is the welcoming face and voice you will often encounter first thing in the morning in our office.
Jennifer Burrough
Office Administrator
Jennifer Burrough serves the Academy in the Front Office as Office Administrator. All 3 of Mrs. Burrough’s children attended WCA, and she served on our school board for several years, too. She has a heart for the Academy and we are blessed to have her on our office team.
Lexi Carlson
Classroom Aide
A native to Minnesota, Lexi Carlson is the classroom aide for our Preschool class.
Malia Brown
Classroom Aide
Malia hails from Cullman, Alabama, where she worked as a teacher's assistant at a Christian preschool. Malia believes firmly that a robust classical, Christian education focused on the whole person is just what's needed for our youngest students today. Malia holds her B.A. from Wallace State Community College. She looks forward to working alongside Mrs. Morrison with our Pre-K students.
Gillian Broughton
Classroom Aide
Gillian has lived in the Flathead Valley since 2008, and following her family's arrival, Gillian attended our Academy for three years. More recently, Gillian earned her B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on Cultural Psychology from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. Now back at the Academy, Gillian serves as Classroom Aide for our Kindergarten class. Outside of school, Gillian enjoys good hikes with her dog, traveling, and visiting museums.
Kevin Moyer
Facilities Manager
Kevin Moyer was born and reared in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He has been a bi-vocational church planter and pastor. He and his wife Ruthie have four children and eight grandchildren. He enjoys serving with local ministries and his home church. Kevin manages the Academy facilities and grounds.