New Faces at Everest
Brian LaPointe - PE | Athletic Director
My name is Brian LaPointe and I am excited to be the new Everest Academy Physical Education Teacher & Athletic Director. I really enjoy getting kids active and having fun in PE classes. I have been blessed to have some great teachers influence my formation, and I hope to do the same for your children. I look forward to getting to know you and all of my new students.
Bio
Mr. LaPointe has a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from North Park University with his teaching license in K thru 12 Physical Education. He also holds a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from North Central College. He comes to us from Riverside Brookfield High School in Riverside, IL, where he worked as a Paraprofessional in Special Education for 11 years and also served as an Assistant Boys Soccer Coach. Mr. LaPointe's goal is to help his students set up SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, & Timely) goals for them to achieve in his class. He wants his students to understand the health benefits of exercise in PE classes and a way to do that is making PE classes fun!
Katie Reidy - Business Manager
Dear Everest Academy Families, I am excited to be here and meet all of you! Although I will be conducting most of my work in the business office, I hope to spend as much time with the students as I can. Forming young hearts and minds in the faith and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ is one of life’s greatest joys! I look forward to contributing to the sound formation of Everest Academy.
Bio
Katie Reidy has spent the last twelve years working in film production, with faith-based film companies. Her skills as a Producer, Production Manager and Coordinator, have given her a great skill set for business management. Prior to film, she used her degree in Psychology to work at a crisis pregnancy center where she was a Counselor and a Director of Volunteers, managing and overseeing volunteer operations. Miss Reidy loves collaboration and working as part of a team, valuing every individual’s gifts and talents.
Stephanie Sandri - 3rd Grade Teacher
My name is Stephanie Sandri and my heart is filled with joy as I embark on my journey at Everest Academy. I love the fact that as a teacher I can have a direct impact on students. Being at Everest will allow me the opportunity to help children grow in their faith, assist in developing their intellect, and guide them in becoming leaders. I look forward to getting to know the Everest community!
Bio
Ms. Sandri has twelve years of experience in elementary classrooms, working most recently as a Special Education Teacher in the Naperville school district. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Lewis University with endorsements in Language Arts, Social Studies and Special Ed. Ms. Sandri has experience working with various student populations and is looking forward to sharing her love of learning with her 3rd Grade students.
Mary Cimbalista - PK3 Teacher Assistant | Extended Care
Howdy! My name is Mary Cimbalista. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at Everest Academy and entering my position as PK3 Teacher Assistant and Extended Care Supervisor. I love getting to know people and I'm sure I can use my experience with big families in growing alongside our students.
Bio
Miss Cimbalista achieved an Associate in Arts degree from the College of DuPage, where she participated in the Newman Catholic Club. Coming from a large family with five siblings, she has a love for children and a passion for bringing them to Christ. Miss Cimbalista is a parishioner at Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, and is also active at St. James at Sag Bridge here in Lemont. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, clothing design, and writing.
Faces We Already Knew
Kelsey Bischoff - PK4 Teacher
Dear Everest Academy Preschool Families,
I am so excited to meet you and work with you this school year! Preschool is an exciting time in your little one’s life. I look forward to our partnership as you are your child’s first teacher. Together we will continue to mold your sweet little one into the person that God intended them to be. We truly have the future of our world in our classroom family!
Bio
Ms. Bischoff is very happy and blessed to be back at Everest Academy! This is her 5th year teaching and 4th year here at Everest. Ms. Bischoff earned degrees in Early Childhood Special Education, Musical Theatre Dance, and Applied Behavioral Analysis from Ball State University. In the classroom Ms. Bischoff strives to create a love for learning and school while encouraging all of her students to be the best they can be; not only for themselves but for Jesus as well.
Paula Lawler - IEW Instructor
Dear Everest Families,
I am very much looking forward to our school year and working with our 6th and 7th grade students. I will be the new writing teacher.
We have a fabulous writing program here at Everest Academy called IEW, Institute for Excellence in Writing founded by Andrew Pudewa. Your children are already familiar with the program and I’m thrilled to help further develop their writing skills. This is going to be a great year.
Bio
Mrs. Paula Lawler is a registered nurse and mother of eleven children. She has worked as an ICU nurse and in her husband’s Ob/Gyn office. She has loved being a homemaker and authored the book: “Graceful Motherhood in a Chaotic Home”. Paula and her husband, Robert, joined the WPA/Everest family back in 1999 and her youngest child, Tommy, is one of our 7th Graders. Paula has homeschooled her children on and off throughout the years and in so doing, has become very familiar with the Excellence in Writing program. She comes to us with her passion and knowledge of teaching this wonderful writing program. Her goal is to use the simple and effective step by step IEW methodology to cultivate in her students a true mastery of and love for writing.
Daniela Paulius - 4th Grade Teacher
Dear Everest Academy Families,
Many of you might know me already from the last two years during which I worked with your children as a substitute teacher, Teacher’s Assistant and Resource Teacher at Everest Academy. I am excited and looking forward to teaching my beloved 4th Grade students, and seeing and helping them grow in many different areas. I am planning fun learning experiences to kindle and strengthen a lifelong love and interest for learning in every single one of them.
Bio
Mrs. Daniela Paulius was born and raised in Germany. She has a Master’s Degree in Education and has been teaching all levels and age groups in a range of subjects for years, both in Germany and the United States. Mrs. Paulius also taught Religious Education at St. Alphonsus in Lemont for ten years, and believes teaching is her passion and joy. She especially loves teaching at Everest Academy. Her goal is to support each student’s individual strengths and to help guide all of them in furthering their skills in all areas of integral formation..
Cecilia Waligora - Kindergarten Teacher Assistant
My name is Cecilia Waligora and I am an Everest Academy alum. I have made the best memories at Everest as a student and am looking forward to coming back and making many more as a Teacher Assistant. I look forward to assisting Mrs. Lambert and working with the kindergarten class.
Bio
Miss Waligora is an alumna from Everest Academy Class 2019. After attending Everest from PK3 through 8th grade, Miss Waligora attended high school at Benet Academy. She is currently attending the College Of Dupage where she is pursuing a degree in early childhood education.