Our Administration
Katie Greenfield
Interim Head of School
Katie brings more than 19 years of experience in Christian education, having served as Head of School at Kings Valley Christian School, and Principal at Stillwater. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, department leader, student activities director, and school administrator, developing a deep understanding of both the academic and spiritual foundations that make Christian schools successful.
As both a Christian school graduate and a parent, Katie understands firsthand the lasting impact a Christ-centered education can have in the lives of students and families. She holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University and an All Levels Principal Certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
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
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 serves as the Department Chair of Reading, and the Reading Interventionist for grades K-4. She lives in Whitefish 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.
Molly Fisher
Director of Admissions
Molly Fisher works closely with new families during the onboarding process, and assists Mrs. Greenfield in the many procedures geared toward a prospective student's entrance, integration and long-term success at WCA.
Prospective families are always invited to touch base with Molly, who is an excellent resource for those entering life at our school.
Our Faculty & Staff
Corrie Broughton
Preschool
Corrie brings a wealth of experience and a cheerful disposition to our youngest class at WCA. In her Preschool class students start with the building blocks of learning, and cultivate curiosity, awe and wonder for the world around them.
Malia Brown
Pre-Kindergarten
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 gained valuable years of classroom experience as a Pre-K Aide to Mrs. Morrison. In addition to her role as Pre-K Teacher, Malia also serves as Cross Country Coach here at WCA.
Carrie Broughton
Kindergarten
Carrie Broughton has worked with children for 27 years, and has been with us at the Academy for 16 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.
Elizabeth Booman
1st Grade
Ms. Booman has been teaching for the past 14 years: 13 years as a 2nd grade lead teacher at Holy Trinity Classical Christian School in Beaufort, SC, and 1 year as a kindergarten lead teacher at The Augustine Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.
From her time in both kindergarten and 2nd grade classrooms, Ms. Booman has gained extensive experience in teaching beginners to read, and in fostering a love of reading in proficient readers. She also has long experience in teaching core math concepts, the fundamentals of world history and geography (with an emphasis on ancient Rome and Western civilization), and classic literature.
Anna Kron
2nd Grade
Lower School Lead Teacher
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.
Christa Booman
4th Grade
Ms. Christa Booman joins WCA with over ten years of teaching experience in classical Christian schools, having spent nine years at Holy Trinity Classical Christian School and one year at The Augustine Academy. She has taught in the advanced sciences in upper school environments, but loves teaching the 4th grade level the most.
Ms. Booman earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, where she was recently inducted to The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Hall of Fame for excellence in gymnastics.
James Chertudi
5th Grade
History & Bible Lead (K-4)
Upper School Lead Teacher
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.
Selah Claridy
Mathematics (4-8)
Ms. Claridy is a recent graduate of The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she earned her B.S. in Chemistry, with a minor in Mathematics.
At UNLV, Ms. Claridy made the Dean's Honors List, and while in her advanced studies, served as Research Assistant in the UNLV Department of Chemistry, for which she authored and maintained detailed laboratory SOPs, data logs, and technical reports.
Because of that combination of study and research experience, and because, above all, she enjoys math, Ms. Claridy is both excited and well prepared to teach Math at WCA.
Ethan Anderson
Humanities (7th & 8th)
Mr. Anderson comes to WCA after two years teaching AP English and History at Fusion Academy in Pleasanton, CA. Prior to that experience, Mr. Anderson graduated from The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), from its Honors College. During his studies at UCLA, Mr. Anderson was a TRIALS Scholar at Harvard and NYU, and earned academic distinction by making the Dean's Honors List.
Elizabeth Busch Letourneau
Music (K-8)
Elizabeth Busch Letourneau oversees our Music Program at WCA. Elizabeth holds her M.M. from the University of Southern California, where she studied Music Performance to a 4.0 GPA, and her B.M. from Colorado Christian University, where she likewise studied Music Performance and received high honors. In recent years, Elizabeth has served as the Songwriting Class Instructor at FVCC and the Music Director at Restoration Anglican Chuch in Kalispell. She has also been a Classical Guitar Instructor for over twenty years. We’re grateful that Elizabeth now brings that extensive music experience to WCA.
Ashley Newell
Physical Education (K-8)
Outdoors Education; Nature Studies
Ashley Newell comes to Whitefish Christian Academy from Stumptown Barbell, where she developed and implemented personal strength and conditioning training programs. That experience translates especially well to P.E., where she now implements WCA’s holistic physical education approach. Ashley also runs our Outdoors Ed. and Nature Studies Programs. Her B.A. in Agriculture Education from Montana State University, coupled with her varied field and teaching experience, prepares her well for those key roles at WCA.
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 Arts Administration from Whitworth University, where she also minored in Art History, Business and English. She also holds a B.A. from Western Governor’s University in Elementary Education. Justine’s favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh; she finds the depth and layers involved in his paintings to be fascinating. She loves sharing that fascination and her love for art with her students. Outside of WCA, Justine enjoys volleyball, running, reading, the beach, and spending wonderful quality time with her husband and son.
Kayla Fisher
Volleyball
Kayla Fisher earned a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. At the Academy, Kayla coaches our 5th-6th and 7th-8th volleyball teams, both which have grown tremendously under her direction. Kayla is passionate about helping our athletes develop those skills and character traits that lead to well-rounded, active lifestyles.
Darlene Meehan
Office Manager
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.
Stephanie Bonar
Office Administrator
Stephanie Bonar serves as the Academy’s Office Administrator, and throughout the course of any given school day, will have helped with a great variety of essential administrative tasks. Stephanie’s son, Billy, is a third grader at the Academy.
Kacey Franks
Classroom Aide
Kacey works at WCA as a full-time aide. She supports our youngest classes, often providing reading and math assistance in our 1st-3rd grades.
Kacey is a mother of three. Her eldest, Florence, is a graduate of WCA, while Hudson and Theo are current students at the Academy.
Shelby Barnum
Classroom Aide
Ms. Barnum is a graduate of Boise State University, where she majored in French. At WCA, Ms. Barnum will work alongside Mrs. Brown in Pre-K, as the teacher's aide of that class. Ms. Barnum loves working with children, and is excited for the opportunity to do so within the WCA community.
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.
Josie Alicea
Classroom Aide
Josie Alicea joins WCA as its new Preschool Aide. Josie is not new to education: She has served in assistant roles at Kalispell KiDDS, The Bird’s Nest, and Whitefish Community School. Josie is passionate about healthy living and good fitness, and doing the right thing with a positive attitude. WCA is blessed to have Josie on its staff.
Ben Thomason
Facilities Manager
Ben Thomason comes to Whitefish Christian Academy from Eureka, Montana, with more than thirty years of experience in plumbing, construction, and facilities work. He entered the trade in 1995, completed a four-year plumbing apprenticeship in Idaho, and has held his Master Plumber license since 2013. For five years Ben owned and operated his own plumbing business, where he managed multiple crews and trained journeymen in the trade.
Ben also brings school experience to the role, having worked previously at Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell. At the Academy Ben oversees the care of our buildings and grounds, handling preventive maintenance, repairs, and project coordination, and solving the many small problems that come with an active campus.