The staff at All-American is specially trained by Patti Komara.  Members are CPR and First Aid certified as well as USAG Safety Certified.  Some members are USAG PDP, and Preschool Fundamentals certified.   The staff loves children and realizes that FUN has to play a part in every lesson so the children will want to return. 

     Patti’s All-American is very fortunate to have such a large, qualified staff.  The staff will try to maintain the same schedule throughout the year.  However, your child may occasionally have a different teacher.  All the staff utilizes the same lesson plans and curriculum sheets, but every instructor has their own style of teaching.  Please help your child adjust to a new teacher if this occurs.  Our enthusiastic staff is well trained through Patti Komara’s own teacher–training program and mentoring system. Many of the staff members are USAG Safety Certified, American Red Cross First Aid, and CPR Certified. All of the teachers are involved with year round in–service training as well as continuous video training.  Our office staff is always here to help you.  Our business hours during the school year are Monday thru Wednesday 8:30am - 9:00pm, Thursday 8:30am - 8:00pm, Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm, and Saturday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm during the summer months.   

Rachael Tripp  (School-Age Manager and Training Manager), started teaching gymnastics at Patti’s in 1995.  She is a former varsity cheerleader at Lake Central High School.  Rachael has been involved in gymnastics for many years and competed as an optional level gymnast. She is a former Purdue Calumet cheerleader and was asked to be on the UCA cheering staff.  Rachael has been certified by USA Gymnastics PDP Level I, Preschool Fundamentals,  Kinder Accreditation for Teachers, and is certified in American Red Cross CPR and First Aid.  Rachael is also USA Gymnastic Safety Certified. She graduated from Purdue University Calumet in May 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. Rachael attended the National Gymnastics Congress five times where she took classes to further her education and two National Brain Trust Conferences.  Rachael is married to Hugh and has a daughter named Tegan. 

Diane Spevacek  (General Manager, Facility Manager, Tumblebear Preschool Manager, Special Events Manager, and Staff Training Director), has been teaching at All-American since 1989. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and love of her job and is a former gymnastic student of Patti’s Gymnastics.  Diane has been certified by USA Gymnastics, Preschool Fundamentals,  Kinder Accreditation for Teachers and is Safety Certified.  She is also certified in American Red Cross CPR and First Aid. Diane and her husband, Scott, reside in St. John. Her daughter, Nicole, was a teacher here and now lives in Chicago.  Diane attended numerous classes during the 2005 USA National Gymnastics Congress in Indianapolis as well as attending a national preschool workshop in Chicago, and Region V congress in Columbus, Ohio. 

Amy Pataky (Gym-N-Learn Director), took gymnastic lessons at Shirley’s in Crown Point for eight years and here at Patti’s for six years. She was hired originally in 1990 and was employed for eight years during her high school and college years. After receiving a degree in education from Purdue University Calumet and teaching second and fourth grades for five years she decided to return as a gymnastics teacher.  She then created the Gym-N-Learn Program--the only fitness based nursery school in NorthWest Indiana.  Amy is certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR. She also is certified by USA Gymnastics in Preschool Fundamentals,  Kinder Accreditation for Teachers, and is Safety Certified.  Amy is married and resides in Schererville with her husband Michael and daughter Madalyn.  

Brittany Ricciardi (School-age Assistant Manager, Gymnastics Training Manager, and Gymnastics Teacher) has been with All-American since 2004. She  took six years of gymnastics and four years of dance classes from All-American. She played basketball for Lake Central High School where she was also a cheerleader.  Brittany went to Purdue Lafayette for one year then transferred to Purdue Calumet to be closer to her family.  She has graduated with a biology degree in 2009 from Purdue Calumet. She is American Red Cross First Aid, Adult, Child and Infant CPR certified.  She has recently married in June 2010 and lives in Cedar Lake with her new husband, Duke. 

Kelli Devine (Gymnastics Teacher, and Assistant Preschool Manager) graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Exercise Science.  She has two children, Taylor and David, and a wonderful husband who also happens to be her best friend.   She has been a fitness instructor and a personal trainer for the past 24 years-- the last seven at Omni. Kelli is also certified by USA Gymnastics, Kinder Accreditation for Teachers that is the highest level for teaching preschool gymnastics. Kelli also is USA Gymnastics safety certified and Preschool Fundamentals certified. She was a competitive swimmer, tri-athlete and a body builder.  Kelli is First Aid and CPR certified, AFAA and Ace certified for group fitness and personal training.  She’s is also a member of I.D.E.A. – International Dance and Exercise Association.

Rhonda Zaluckyj (Gymnastics Teacher and Public Relations Manager) joined our All-American staff in 2006.  Rhonda is a former varsity cheerleader at Lake Central. She took tumbling classes in Griffith and at Patti's All-American.  She brings much enthusiasm to her job and loves being around children! Rhonda is American Red Cross First Aid, Adult, Child and Infant CPR certified. She is also certified by USA Gymnastics for Preschool Fundamentals.  Rhonda has spoke at local schools about nutrition and healthy living. She also was one of the speakers at Patti's "I Love Gymnastics" Workshop in August 2008.  She is always learning new things and makes her class the place to be! Rhonda lives in Cedar Lake with her husband, Stevie and her two children, Seth and Faith.

Vashanna Kendrick (Gymnastics Instructor and Special Events Instructor)  Also known as VeVe, has joined our staff this year.  VeVe was a competitive gymnast for ten years.  She participated in three Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa; Orlando, Florida, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.  In 2002 she retired as a gymnast and became interested in dance.  She studied jazz, tap, and ballet at Emerson Visual Performing Arts in Gary, Indiana for four years.  VeVe also traveled across the Midwest while employed with Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) teaching young cheerleaders tumbling, dance, cheers, and stunts. 

Nicole Gainer (Pool Manager, Kids Night Out Manager, Gymnastics and Swim Teacher), Nicole has worked here at All-American for twelve years as a swim instructor.     She is a gymnastics instructor here at All-American and has previously taught gymnastics for Tumblebear Gym on Wheels. She also is American Red Cross First Aid, Adult, Child and Infant CPR certified as well as a Water Safety Instructor. She is also certified by USA Gymnastics, Kinder Accreditation for Teachers, and Preschool FUNdamentals which is the highest level for teaching preschool gymnastics, and she is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified.  Nicole is married and resides in Dyer with her husband, Dave. 

Jill Hansen (Gymnastics Teacher) joined the All-American staff this year.  Jill took six years of gymnastics and four years of tumbling classes here at Patti's All-American.  She was on the Junior Varsity Lake Central Cheerleading squad for two years.  She also competed on the JV Lake Central cheerleading squad earning a fifth place in the State of Indiana.  Jill loves to tumble and can't wait to share her knowledge and talents with her students.  Jill lives at home with mom, dad, brother, Josh and her dog named Sammie.

Ashlee Russell (Swim Teacher and Gymnastics Teacher) is part of our All-American staff.  Ashely was a Varsity Cheer Squad from Lake Central High School that won First Place at the Bulls Classic Cheerleading competition.  Ashlee was named Scholar Athlete two years in a row with a grade point average of 4.3 out of a 4.  Ashlee took ten years of gymnastics at Patti’s All-American with Miss Rachael. She is certified with American Heart Association in First Aid and Adult, Child, and Infant CPR.  Ashlee reside in St. John with her parents. 

Natasha Wojciechowski (Gymnastics Teacher) is part of our All-American gymnastics staff.  She took gymnastics at Patti’s All-American for four years.  She enjoys working with children and teaching gymnastics.  Natasha lives in Dyer with her mother, sister Ashley and five foster children, Amber, Harmony, Tyler, Kylee, and Katrina.

Kristin McDermott (Gymnastics Teacher, Special Events Instructor, and Swim Teacher) is part of our staff this year.  Kristin took gymnastics here at Patti's All-American for four years.  Kristin also was a competitive swimmer with the Lake Central Barracuda swim club for three years.  She is certified in American Red Cross First Aid, Adult, Child and Infant CPR and is certified as a Lifeguard.  Kristin lives at home in Dyer with Mom, sister, Danielle and dog named Holly. 

Brittany Lewis (Gymnastics Instructor) Brittany has joined the All-American staff this year. She took six years of gymnastics and was a competitive gymnast. Brittany participated in a Junior Olympics in Virginia Beach. After retiring as a gymnast, Brittany joined Munster High School cheerleading squad, where she was also a diver. Brittany went to Purdue Lafayette and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.  Brittany lives in Munster, with her mom, dad, and three Australian Shepherds, Callie, Laney, and Rocky. 

Kaitie Janich (Gymnastics Instructor) Kaitie has joined the All-American staff this year. Kaitie took five years of gymnastics classes and three years of tumbling classes here at Patti's All-American.  She was on the Lake Central JV Cheerleading squad for two years winning Third Place in the State of Indiana. She competed in numerous cheerleading competitions winning First Place at the Chicago Bulls Cheer competition in 2009. She also performed at the Chicago Bulls Game last year. Kaitie lives in Dyer with her mom, dad, two sisters Abbie and Meghan and brother, Nick. 

Ashley Kahn (Gymnastics Instructor) Ashley has joined the All-American staff this year.  Ashley took gymnastics classes here at Patti's All-American for eleven years.  She was on the varsity cheerleading squad at Lake Central High School for three years.  She competed at many national competitions as well as performed and took First Place at three Chicago Bull's Cheer competitions.  She performed twice at the Chicago Bulls Game.  She absolutely loves gymnastics and working with children.  Ashley lives in Dyer with her mom, dad, and brother Zach.  

Hannah Mason (Gymnastics Instructor)Hannah has joined the All-American staff this year.  Hannah started taking gymnastics when she was three years old.  She took gymnastics lessons at Patti's All-American for eight years.  Hannah also took a variety of dance classes, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop for five years.   She was on the Lake Central JV Cheerleading squad for two years winning Third Place in the State of Indiana.. She competed in numerous cheerleading competitions winning First Place at the Chicago Bulls Cheer competition in 2009. She also performed at the Chicago Bulls Game last year. Hannah lives in St. John with her mom, dad and brother named PJ.  

Shelly Okerstrom (Gymnastics Instructor) Shelly has joined the All-American staff this year.  Shelly took her first Tumblebear gymnastics class when she was three years old.  She took ten years of gymnastics and tumbling classes here at Patti's All-American.  She was on the Lake Central JV Cheerleading squad for two years winning Third Place in the State of Indiana. She competed in numerous cheerleading competitions winning First Place at the Chicago Bulls Cheer competition in 2009. She also performed at the Chicago Bulls Game last year. Shelly lives in St. John with her mom, Tina (Patti's Bookkeeper), dad and brother Eric. 

 Devin Cave (Gymnastics Instructor) Devin has joined the All-American staff this year. Devin took gymnastics and tumbling classes here at Patti's All-American since 1993.  She taken five years of gymnastics and sixteen years of tumbling.  Devin was a former level-5 All-Star Competitive Cheerleader. She also was on the Andrean High School dance team during her high school years.   She is presently a Junior at Columbia College in Chicago majoring in Artrs, Entertainment Media Management focusing on fashion merchandise management.  Devin lives in Crown Point with her mom and dad. 

Sara Altgilbers (Dance Assistant, Gymnastics Instructor) Sara took gymnastics  has joined the All-American staff this year.  Sara has taken fifteen years of dance classes.  She has also taken eight years of gymnastics and tumbling classes here at All-American.  She  has been a student demonstrator for Miss Robin for the past three years. She also participated in the Tri-Town Dance Team in  2003.  She lives in the town of Munster with her parents, brother Jimmy, grandma, and two dogs.

Jenna Dimopoulos (Gymnastics Instructor) Jenna has joined the All-American staff this year. Jenna took gymnastics and tumbling classes here at Patti's All-American. Jenna has been a cheerleader for four years.  She was on the Junior Varsity Lake Central cheerleading squad for two years.  She also competed on the JV Lake Central cheerleading squad earning Third Place in the State of Indiana. Jenna is currently attending Lake Central High School; she loves working with children and wants to share her experiences with them.  Jenna lives at home in Schererville with her parents and brother Jorey.

1530 Joliet Street,  Dyer, IN 46311

(219) 865-2274

24-Hour Fax (219)865-2389

email: customerservice@pattisallamerican.com