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 Athletics & Marketing
Humanities (6th); Basketball (5-8)
Burton Gildersleeve 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, where he oversaw domestic and foreign partnerships with brands such as Ralph Lauren and Carhartt. 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 hails from Colby College where she earned her B.S. with a double major in biology and environmental science. She completed her Masters of Science 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.
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 25 years, and has been with us at the Academy for 13 years. Carrie is kind, loving, and fair; she is an asset to the Academy both on the playground and in the classroom. Carrie loves the Lord and loves serving the families and children at the Academy.
Kelly Sumner
1st Grade
Kelly was born and raised in Colorado, where she graduated with her B.A. in both History & Speech from the University of Northern Colorado. Kelly has 25 years of teaching experience and is currently enrolled in the M.Ed. program at the University of Montana Western. Outside the classroom Kelly is active at Canvas Church, writes faith-based literature, and holds a special place in her heart for the Special Olympics, in which her son, Michael, competes each year.
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 here 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
4th Grade;
Reading Lead (K-4)
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 US, 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.
Amy Pino
Mathematics (5-8)
Amy and her family most recently lived in Boise, ID, where Amy taught 1st grade at Great Hearts Academy, a classical charter school. Amy's teaching career has intertwined with wide-reaching travel; she has taught in four different U.S. states and once abroad in Germany, as well. Amy has extensive background in classical elementary education and brings that rich experience to the 3rd grade classroom at WCA. Amy and her husband, Andrew, have four children, all whom attend the Academy.
Holden Sieler
Humanities (7-8)
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.
Juliane Stern
French (K-4)
Juliane is native to the south of France. During her Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages, she studied as an exchange student at the University of Montana, where she met her husband. After completing her Masters in International Management in Paris, she and her family moved to Whitefish. Before completing that move, Juliane taught French in Australia and online. Most recently, Juliane earned the certification in teaching French as a second language in children's education from the Alliance Français de Paris. When at home, Juliane has the special pleasure of raising her daughters bilingually.
Maggie Eisenbarth
Music (K-8); Art (7-8)
Maggie is from Alburgh, VT, a small town on the U.S.-Canadian border. She moved west to to attend Montana State University and pursue a liberal arts education. Maggie has lived in the valley for 23 years, and it's here that, with her 9 lively and lovely children, she has accrued many years of homeschooling experience. Maggie's homeschooling approach was distinctly classical and was particularly influenced by Charlotte Mason, who emphasized the education of the whole person - mind, body, and soul. Through music Maggie mimics that same whole-person philosophy, for it's her sincere hope that students love and live the true, the good, and the beautiful. Outside of class, Maggie is active in the Whitefish Community. She has been the "leading lady" in various Whitefish Theatre Co. productions, and has cantered and sung at St. Charles Church.
Kayla Bond
P.E. & Outdoors Ed.; Volleyball
Kayla Bond 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 and our cross country team. 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.
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 as Office Administrator. All three of Mrs. Burrough’s children attended WCA, and she worked 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.
Malia Brown
Classroom Aide
Malia comes to the Academy 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.
Lexi Carlson
Classroom Aide
A native to Minnesota, Lexi joins WCA as a Classroom Aide. Lexi predominantly works with our littlest students, the Preschoolers.
Shannon Allgeier
Development
Shannon Allgeier, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, earned her B.A. from Hillsdale College in Michigan. Since graduating, Shannon has taught at numerous classical schools, including Great Hearts Academy, Jackson Hole Classical Academy, and recently, our very own Whitefish Christian Academy. Shannon now works closely with our Front Office and our Board to further the mission and vision of our school both here and afar.
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.