Our Faculty & Staff

Mrs. Cermak has previously taught art classes for many years, and for three years at Veritas Christi Hybrid Academy in Rockford. She earned her associate’s degree in interior design at the College of DuPage. Mrs. Cermak is passionate about passing on the Catholic faith and her artistic and dramatic expertise.

Mrs. Everhard has been a member of the faculty since 2018. She has over thirty years of teaching experience. She has a BA in Behavioral Psychology and a TMR certification, 4K-12th grade/810 cognitive disabilities, from St. Cloud State University. Holding a teaching license since 1975 from the state of Minnesota and reciprocity certification in Wisconsin, she also was a licensed Certified Social Worker for twenty-five years. A gifted teacher, she imparts to students a joyful love of Our Lord and His Blessed Mother; a loving, gentle discipline; and a fervent desire to always do their best for Jesus.

Mr. Rilott teaches the virtues class and leads the works of mercy program at the academy. While he began teaching at the academy in 2018, he has been involved with the school for many years. He is the Director of the Rockford Family Initiative, a group that promotes pro-life and pro-family work. Mr. Rilott taught for fifteen years at St. Bernadette School, and he is currently the Director of Religious Education and Evangelization for St. Bernadette. Mr. Rilott lives in Rockford with his wife, Donna, and has two children and four grandchildren.

Mr. Sartino has been a member of the faculty since 2018. He previously taught at Boylan Catholic High School for fifteen years in the Theology department, and led and organized over one hundred student retreats. He earned his B.A. in History, Political Science, and Secondary Education at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. Most importantly, Mr. Sartino is a devoted husband and father. His five children also attend the academy.

Mr. Sayers has been a member of the faculty since 2008. He previously taught in the Rockford public schools and at Rock Valley College. He earned his B.A. in English literature at Indiana University-Bloomington, with a minor in history, and his M.A. in Catholic Thought and Life at St. Meinrad School of Theology. Mr. Sayers also tutors students in ACT and SAT preparation.

Mrs. Zahn holds a B.A. in Music and M.M. in Violin Performance from Northern Illinois University, where she studied with Marie Wang of the Avalon String Quartet. A lifelong Rockford resident, she is married and a proud mother of two teen boys. Mrs. Zahn teaches 5th/6th grade. She also teaches a beginning string class for students in grade four and higher.