Staff

Staff
The staff at LGA continually attends local, state, regional, and national clinics in order to remain up-to-date on the most current methods and safety procedures. The staff also attends yearly CPR/First Aid classes.

Valarie Mailloux is our Livonia Gymnastics Academy Director and Supervisor. She currently teaches preschool classes, and is the Head Competition Gymnastics Team levels 4 through 8 for floor and vault.
Valarie graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a teaching certificate in Physical Education K-12 and Health Education. Her continued education has earned her the following certifications: Dance, Safety Certification, PDP I Certificate, KAT Certificate (Kinder-Gymnastics), Professional Development Program Certification, Skill Evaluation Levels 1 - 4, Judging Level 5 Certification and First Aid - CPR.
During her spare time she enjoys downhill skiing, aerobics, swimming, dancing and traveling. She has been married for 15 years and has a 13 year old son.

Welcome Coach Matt!
Coach Matt started in gymnastics at age 6 and began competing at age 8. He competed through High School and for 2 years of club gymnastics at Eastern Michigan University.
Matt has been coaching for 17 years. Matt has had a wide range of coaching experience. He began coaching at the age of 15 at the recreational program at Ypsilanti Public Schools. Matt was the cumpulsory coach for Gymstreet Gymnastics where he worked with Tatianna Gutsu ('92 Olypic medalist), head coach for the Saline High School Girls Gymnastics team and head coach for the Ypsilanti High School Men's Gymnastics team, program director and head team coach for Carleton Gymnastics Club for 8 years. Matt has been coaching at Champion Gymnastics of ANn Arbor for the past 6 yeats as the compulsory and optional level vault, bars and tumbling coach.
Matt graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelors of science in physical education.

Paula Sheffield has been instructing young gymnasts for 20 years. She is a mother of 4 that enjoys jogging to keep fit. At LGA, Paula teaches Preschool, Intermediate, Advance classes. She has obtained her coaching card and is the Head Coach for the Pre-Team (Tornados) Competetive Program and Firecrackers. Additionally she helps with coaching the competitive team gymnasts of all levels.

Norene Divens teaches preschool classes and helps coach the Competition Team gymnasts. She is a wife, mother of 4, and grandmother of 13 grandchildren that enjoys gardening, Bible study, working out, and hiking. Norene's love of children of all ages keeps her involved in coaching gymnastics. Norene has a special interest and talent in coaching gymnasts to children with special challenges primarily children with autism. A parent testimonial is that "her patience, dedication, ingenuity, and perserverence have helped so many children to know the joy of achievement. Norene has a particular gift for helping children to realize their personal strength and potential."

Coach Melissa has coached at Livonia Gymnastics Academy for the past 2 years. She has been doing gymnastics for over 9 years in Livonia with the 7 of those years in competition. She has competed at level 8. Melissa attends college full-time at Schoolcraft Community College. She plans to transfer to Eastern Michigan University to pursue a degree in athletic training. Right now she is coaching the Firecrackers and Tornados (pre-team level 3). Additionally Melissa helps to coach the other competition teams and a few recreation classes. Melissa is certified in safety, CPR and first aid.

Paula Guzik has been in gymnastics for 15 years. She has competed with LGA (Livonia Gymnastics Academy) through level 8. At level 7 she was the all-around state champion. In high school, Paula competed on the Livonia Churchill High School gymnastics team. In her sophomore year of high school, Paula was the division 1 balance beam state champion. In her senior year of high school, Paula was the MHSAA’s “gymnast of the year”. Paula currently attends Eastern Michigan University. Paula is CPR, first aid and safety certified. Paula teaches recreation classes and competition team levels 4 and up.

Sarah Parkin became involved in gymnastics when she was 3 years old and competed with LGA (Livonia Gymnastics Academy) until 9th grade. In High School, Sarah did both sideline and competitive cheerleading. In her senior year, Sarah competed for the gymnastics high school team. Sarah is CPR, first aid and safety certified. She has attended regional congress the past 2 years. Sarah attends Eastern Michigan University and is majoring in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. Sarah coaches recreation gymnastic classes, the Firecrackers and Tornados / level 3 pre-competition team.

Coach Debbie is a mother of 2 boys. She has been coaching gymnastics for several years. Currently she is an assistant coach for several levels of the competition team and a few recreation classes. Debbie is certified in safety, CPR and first aid.