Lynette Aune

President

Lynette is the owner and founder of Jungle Gym Preschool and Fitness Center.  As a community member and mother of two, Luke (7) & Fiona (4), Lynette saw the need for a children’s facility that catered to the youngest members of the Beverly/Mt. Greenwood community.  She opened Jungle Gym in October, 2006 with a mission to educate children through fun games and activities that give them the tools they need to lead a fit & healthy lifestyle throughout their lives.  She has been happily married to Kurt for 10 years and loves spending quality time with her family and friends, while thinking of new adventures for the children at Jungle Gym to enjoy.  She loves spending time with her family, good long books, gardening, swimming, napping, cooking and finding new innovative ways to improve Jungle Gym for its members. 

Destiny Gaines

Program Director: Gym-N-Learn, Tumblebear (Dance & Cheer) / Gym-N-Learn Lead Teacher

Destiny Gaines is a graduate from Southern IL University of Carbondale receiving her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education with a strong focus in Small Business Management. During her time in Carbondale, Destiny gained most of her teaching experiences in the Child Development Laboratories, working an internship as a daycare director, and implementing literacy assessments on preschoolers and kindergartners. Her main focus in college (as well as the present) was promoting early literacy. After college she was appointed as an Assistant Director as well as Head Teacher for three childcare facilities. Destiny teaches the Gym-N-Learn program at Jungle Gym as well as some of the children’s fitness classes. She is currently a cheerleader for The Chicago Storm Indoor Soccer Team and has an impressive dance and cheer background.  Destiny is certified in 1st Aid and CPR. Her future goals include a Type 04 teaching certificate and becoming a coach for a dance or cheerleading team. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her 3-year-old daughter and her family.  

Linda Mora

Gym-N-Learn Lead Gymnastics Teacher

Linda is the Lead Gymnastics Teacher for our Morning & Afternoon Gym-N-Learn Preschool program at Jungle Gym.  She has the perfect combination of motherhood & gymnastics to share with our students.  Linda earned her BS from Western Michigan University while on an athletic scholarship for gymnastics.  There she was the team captain and eventually inducted into the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame.  Linda has 3 children Brittany, Joey & Christy.  When not spending time with the kids in our preschool program she enjoys smothering her own children with love & attention!  

Terese Pikula

Lead Dance Teacher

Terese is our Dancing Queen.  She brings experience from over 9 dance groups starting in Chicago and traveling to Disney.  She is currently our Ballet Bears instructor and will be leading any Dance Camps we provide throughout the year.  Also certified in 1st Aid and CPR, Tereses’ classes have become a favorite at Jungle Gym.  Terese is also a St. Xavier student & member of their Competitive Dance team.  She recently placed in the National Dance Competition.  With so much going on, she still seems to makes time for hours of choreography with neighborhood theatres and teams.  You go girl! 

Annie Collins

Events Coordinator/ Lead Techer

Annie graduated from Marist High School in 2008 and went on to attend Western Illinois University for the 2008-2009 school year. She is currently taking summer classes at Moraine Valley Community College, working to obtain a certificate in the Emergency Medical Services.Sheplans onattending paramedic schooling in January of 2010. Annie is certified in C.P.R. and A.E.D. She accompanied Lynette Aune to Congress 5, U.S.A. Gymnastics were she obtained a certificate to coach gymnastics. Annie attended gymnastics for 11 years and competed for 5 years. She also danced ballet and jazz for 3 years. Annie is devoted to the Jungle Gym and has been working here for  2 ½ years. When she is not studying or working at Jungle Gym, Annie enjoys playing volleyball and softball with her friends. Her favorite thing to eat is chocolate chip cookies and milk, her favorite movie is Hercules and her favorite color is green.

Courtney Underwood

Lead Teacher

Courtney currently attends Saint Xavier University with a major that coincides with working at Jungle Gym. She has volunteered for take a bite out of grime day in her hometown of South Holland. She has also volunteered for the American Corps. She has been involved with dance teams from 6th grade to the present. She is certified in CPR and first aid. Currently she teaches cheer bears and works the special needs open gyms. She will be the teacher for two new classes:  hip hop pom and pretty pretty princess.  

Caitlin Richards

Lead Teacher

Bio Coming Soon!!