About Everest

Everest Academy Faculty & Staff

As a Roman Catholic school of academic excellence, Everest Academy has an outstanding team of teachers who view their work as a vocation and mission, not just as a job. Our teachers are fully qualified, trained in their particular subject area as well as the art of classroom management and personal motivation. They are ready to work with you as a team to meet your child’s needs.

Our faculty deeply understand our mission: to form leaders who will influence and transform their surroundings by example and service to the community. This means that they not only need to be masters of the subjects they teach, but also witnesses of Christian authenticity who possess personal integrity. All members of Everest Academy's teaching faculty hold a Bachelors Degree; however, continuing education is encouraged and expected.

Our board of directors has specially emphasized the importance of ongoing formation for the teaching faculty and administrators. Many have attended programs offered by the National Consultants for Education (NCE), based in Atlanta, GA. They also attend workshops, new teacher orientation, and teacher-training teleconferences, as well as weekly formation training.

All members of the teaching faculty, administration, and staff are required to complete the Virtus program of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the background check.

Everest Faculty & Staff:

Administration:
Principal: Ms. Christine Gamache
Formation Director & Chaplain: Fr. Jon Budke, LC
Dean of Students: Ms. Molly Maher
Advancement Director: Dr. Coleen Mast
Admissions Director: Mrs. Heidi Matelich
Financial Administrator: Mr. Ross Kimmey
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Candy Hamilton
Receptionist: Mrs. Donna Klimowski

Pre-Kindergarten Program:
Pre-K3 Teacher: Mrs. Theresa Jones
Pre-K4 Teacher: Mrs. Mary Ann DeBiase
Pre-Kindergarten Aides: Mrs. Mary Haughey (Pre-K3), Mrs. Sue Reynolds (Pre-K4)

Lower School:
Kindergarten: Mrs. Joanna DiSabato
1st Grade: Ms. Rose Maher
2nd Grade: Ms. Stephanie DeRoche
3rd/4th Grade: Mrs. Elaine Fleck

Middle School (5-8th Grades):
5th/6th Grade Homeroom: Mr. Jon Predny
7th/8th Grade Homeroom: Mr. James O'Keefe
Language Arts, Social Studies, PE: Mr. James O'Keefe
Math, Science, PE: Mr. Jon Predny

Middle School Catholic Formation / Formation Instructor: Ms. Sonia Baldwin
Formation Instructor: Br. Dustin George, LC
Spanish: Mrs. Maria O'Connor
Music: Ms. Teresa Shine
Art: Mrs. Mary Ann DeBiase