Our Faculty

Greg Borris graduated with high honours from Sheridan’s Musical Theatre Performance Program and is a member of the inaugural Jordan B. Peterson Fellowship. After studying at the Acton School of Business in Austin, Texas, Greg opened Ontario’s first outdoor rock climbing gym: Ascension Climbing Centre located in Brantford. Greg has written and directed children’s and professional theatrical productions and has worked as a performer across Canada. He is passionate about sharing Christ’s love with the world through truth and beauty, be it artistic or athletic.

Tanya Snow studied at St. Clair College in Chatham. With a background as a Developmental Service Worker, she has numerous years experience both with the Thames Valley District and Lambton-Kent District School Boards. She has always been a firm believer in music education, which led to further studies on the topic including Education Through Music and Kindermusik. While on placement as an Early Childhood Educator, she developed an interest in the teachings of Montessori, and furthered her studies with the North American Montessori Centre. She currently lives in Bothwell with her husband Greg, whom she has known since childhood, and their daughter Della. An active parishioner at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Thamesville, Tanya is excited for the opportunities that Our Lady of the Pillar Academy presents its staff and students.

Monica Vandenberg attained her Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Ontario, she then studied a variety of teachable topics until deciding to concentrate on Biology, with Honours in Zoology. Monica achieved her Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor for the Intermediate and Senior Divisions with Biology and Chemistry as her teachable subjects. After finishing her studies in 1991, Monica married Marius Vandenberg and began her career teaching science at John Paul II Secondary School in London. With the arrival of their first child, Monica put aside her career to be a full time wife and mother. While raising her eight children, she continued to teach Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School and Confirmation classes at her local parish and volunteers often in support of many Catholic initiatives.

Paula Whitaker holds her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from São Paulo University, Brazil, where she was born and raised. She worked in great institutions teaching Portuguese and English languages, Art History and Literature for both elementary and high schools, including Colégio São Luís, a very traditional Jesuit school. In 2013, she embraced such a big adventure landing in Canada with her husband Fabio Whitaker, and since then they have built their blessed bilingual family having three children. Before being a full-time mom, Paula taught Brazilian Portuguese language for adults at the University of Toronto, Seneca College and other Continuing Education schools. Recently she earned her Master of Professional Education in the field of Educational Leadership, working on academic projects with many educators across the country. Being an admirer of Sacred Classical music, she used to serve in Holy Masses as a psalmist, also singing in different parishes in her homeland as well as in Toronto and London; nowadays she is an active member of All Saints Parish in Strathroy, where she volunteered with the Vacation Bible School this summer. Paula believes that every child is well guided and every teacher is a good leader when they are called to act with a heart full of virtues, practicing the good, and because of that, she continuously invites her students to join her in the prayer: “Jesus Christ, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.”

Krista Huver obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo and her Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University, certified in Intermediate / Senior divisions for Biology and Chemistry.  She taught science and math at an independent school in Toronto, and then earned her Master of Arts degree in History from Western University.  She is married to Stephen and they have seven children.  Krista homeschooled her own children for eleven years and has collaborated with many other families in providing various joint educational opportunities for children.  She is an active member of St. Mary’s Church, part of the Elgin County Roman Catholic Family of Parishes, where she has volunteered with sacramental preparation, Vacation Bible School activities, and the music ministry.  As a lifelong learner, she continues to study the riches of the Catholic faith and imparting Classical Education to students.  She is passionate about leading others to all that is good, true, and beautiful!

Mikayla Klover will be our educational assistant for our JK/SK and Grade 1 / 2 classes this year. She is deeply passionate about working with children to help them reach their fullest potential.  She truly enjoys the classroom setting and seeing daily growth with the students. In order to continue to help children achieve their fullest academic abilities. Mikayla is exploring the field of education to the fullest and intends to pursue further schooling relating to education in the future.

Elizabeth Roelands, our music teacher at OLPA, is a graduate of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, class of 2014. She holds a Certificate of Christian Humanities from the Academy. During her years there, she studied piano, voice, music pedagogy, and conducting. After this, she moved to Ohio to study at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, graduating with a BA in theology, with a minor in music, in 2015. Also in 2015, Elizabeth took the Music for Young Children course, making her a certified MYC teacher. For the past 4 years, Elizabeth has been teaching music, both private and group classes, as well as serving as a choir accompanist at schools and a member of the music ministry team at All Saints Parish in Strathroy. Elizabeth loves music and is excited to make music at OLPA, directing our students to sing of the glory of God in our weekly choir time.

Angela Roelands studied at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, graduating with a Bachelor of Catholic Studies in 2018. She has since continued her academic career by obtaining a Masters degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute, graduating in the spring of 2023. Angela is happy to be a part of the OLPA community and hopes to contribute positively to the school in her new roles. She asks for your prayers to be able to carry out this mission effectively for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.