Our Faculty

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Our Lady of the Pillar Academy is fortunate to have attracted and hired some remarkable professionals. Please take a moment to become familiar with our team!

Teaching Staff

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.

Shen Liu worked as a student journalist for three years, and graduated with high honours from Fanshawe College’s renowned Journalism Program. He worked for CBC Toronto, and CTV News briefly before transitioning to the education field, and taught at a private K-12 English academic institution based in the Greater Toronto Area from 2019 to 2024, and gained rich experiences in teaching English vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing. Shen arduously developed expertise in teaching SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) preparation courses. As a convert to Catholicism, he has an unyielding devotion to Our Lady, and is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to teach, and care for the children of this faithful community. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English & Chinese Bilingual Broadcasting from Communication University of Zhejiang, and is certified for forklift operation. Avid for physical training, he does calisthenics, and weight-lifting daily. 

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.

Leslie McKinnon  studied at King’s University College at Western University and completed her Bachelor of Education at Althouse College receiving a Specialist in Primary Education.  From there she went to work for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board teaching for five years with a one year teaching assignment in Special Education. After numerous years away from formal teaching, Leslie supply taught for six years for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. She is married to Rod and they have six children. When away from formal teaching, Leslie taught her own children and continued to teach formally in various capacities. She has been involved in Children’s Liturgy, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation Preparation and Youth Group. Leslie also volunteers frequently to various Catholic initiatives.

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.

Amandine Bouisset teaches French at OLPA. Born and raised in France, she moved to Canada in 2016 to follow her husband’s career with their 2 girls and had 2 other children since. As well as being a fulltime wife and mother in this country, Amandine started teaching French in homeschool co-ops and by tutoring private lessons. Amandine has been homeschooling her own children with material imported from France. She is very excited to see where God is taking her in her teaching vocation.

Cindy Ciesla studied in the BealArt program, one year in Art Fundamentals, and one year Art Specialization in lithographic printmaking, and graphic design/illustration. She then graduated from the Art Fundamentals Program at Sheridan College and from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She is married to Michael and together they have four children. Cindy volunteers in the Children’s Liturgy Program at St. Charles Garnier Church, as well as other volunteer opportunities including The Girl Guides of Canada. Cindy loves to teach art concepts to children, to help them discover their artist gifts, and to discover what is good, true and beautiful through art.

Support Staff

 Lily Braet is administrator at Our Lady of the Pillar Academy. As one of the original Pillar parents as well as a previous board member and volunteer, she has come to appreciate the administrative requirements needed to support the students and staff at the school. She graduated from Lambton College with a Diploma in Environmental Technology.  She loves the opportunity to engage with Pillar Academy’s students, staff and parents.

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.