Teachers
English Department
Shalane Carson
English Teacher
Education: Bachelor of the Arts
Background: I grew up in Idaho and moved to Utah to attend University. I began working at APA in 2021.
Hobbies: I love reading, being outdoors, playing piano, and traveling.
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Michael Christenson
English Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts - English Language and Literature - Weber State University
Background: "Although much of my teaching experience has been the corporate world, my first love has always been teaching writing, so I'm very pleased to have escaped to a better place at APA. For about ten years, I made a living as an illusionist, appearing primarily in the western United States. Some favorite gigs were performing with the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake and touring for a season with Odyssey Dance Theater's ""Thriller"" program. More recently, I returned to creative writing. My first novel made it to #1 on Amazon and I have since published three more novels and a dozen short stories under the pen name Michael Darling. Because Neverland is always closer than you think."
Hobbies: Travel, reading, board gaming, and cooking
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Brittany Kempema
English Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts in english, Summa Cum Laude top 5 percent, University of Utah
Background: I have been at APA since 2012, starting as an elementary instructor and then a secondary instructor before receiving my degree.
Hobbies: My two passions are reading and traveling. I am also an enthusiastic fan of the Denver Broncos.
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William McKelvey
English Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree and Single Subject English Teaching Credential, San Francisco State University
Background: Hip hop enthusiast, survivor, time traveler, and comedian.
Hobbies: No time for such things. I put all my energy into my professional field.
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Tommy Mier
English Teacher
Education: Bachelors in English
Background: I grew up in Los Angeles, California and moved to Utah in 2015 to attend Brigham Young University. In 2020, I was blessed enough to be a first generation college graduate. Throughout my educational journey, many mentors have helped me get to where I am today. I hope to reciprocate that service to future generations and help students pursue and reach their educational goals.
Hobbies: I LOVE BASKETBALL
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Jeffrey Sorensen
English Teacher
Education: Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia
Background: I taught in Florida for five years before moving to Utah. I have been with APA since 2005.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, and Borderlands
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Colin Willoughby
English Teacher
Education: California State University, Chico
Background: Entertainment, ESL
Hobbies: Golf, reading, traveling, athletics, exercise
xHistory
Sam Hobi
History Teacher
Education: Bachelors with honors in Economics from Oberlin, College and an MBA from Columbia Business School
Background: I spent 15 years in corporate finance and banking mostly with GE Capital in Connecticut, New York and Utah before deciding to teach. I am a Utah native and have lived in Salt Lake since 2013. I am an honors graduate of Oberlin College and hold an MBA from Columbia Business School.
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Ben Horrocks
History Teacher
Education: BS in Political Science, BA in History, MA in History
Background: I attended Utah State University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Afterwards, I moved down to Salt Lake.
Hobbies: I enjoy music, reading, and the outdoors.
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Shingin Lee
English Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts - History Education - Brigham Young University - Idaho
Background: I am from Korea. I moved to Idaho to go to school in 2017. After graduating from BYU-I in 2021, I taught in Idaho for one year before joining APA.
Hobbies: I am a big fan of baseball.
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Annaka Nay
History Teacher
Education: Bachelor's Degree in History Education from Brigham Young University; Master's Degree in International Affairs and Global Enterprise from the University of Utah
Background: I grew up in Utah and knew that I always wanted to be a teacher. I also loved history, so history teacher seemed like the perfect route for me!
Hobbies: I love traveling and experiencing new cultures. I play the violin & the viola and enjoy dancing. I love to read just about any genre.
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Ellie Taylor
History Teacher
Education: BS - Social Studies Education, emphasis in Political Science, Brigham Young University - Idaho
Background: I was born and raised in Idaho and learned about hard work at a young age on my family's potato farm. I have also lived in Arizona and served an LDS mission that brought me to Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. I am a proud big sister to 5 siblings and married to my best friend since 2017.
Hobbies: I love listening to podcasts or audiobooks about history, politics and true crime. I love going on road trips, spending time with family and board games. I LOVE trivia. Learning about random trivia or playing trivia games and watching shows like Jeopardy is a lot of fun to me.
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Latin Department
Samantha Adamson
Latin Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of New Mexico; minor in Medieval Studies/Latin
Background: I come from a military family and have lived in Texas, New York, and New Mexico. After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 2013, I moved to Utah with my husband. I began working for APA in 2015 and have taught at both West Valley APA campuses.
Hobbies: When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, writing, fitness, cooking/baking, crocheting and knitting, camping, hiking, and doing puzzles.
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Cassandra Ball-Coleman
Latin Teacher
Education: BA: Classical Studies
Background: I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Classical Studies, focusing on Ancient Greek and Latin philology with a minor in Anthropology. As a student, I was selected for a competitive Mentoring Environments Grant, a BYU ORCA Grant, and the prestigious Wheatley Foundation scholarship. I have a diverse background in Classical Studies. Prior to beginning my secondary teaching career, I worked as an academic researcher, translating previously-unpublished Hellenistic Greek papyri. I spent two summers in Petra, Jordan, excavating a Roman archaeological site and teaching pottery analysis for archaeologists. Between archaeological seasons, I was also a curatorial researcher for the Bethlehem Museum, specializing in traditional textiles. Her personal research focuses on personhood and identity in Augustan Rome. I came to APA in 2017, teaching secondary Latin at the Draper 3 campus before joining the West Valley 2 team.
Hobbies: Classical & Modern Languages, Reading (especially Victorian Gothic literature), Going to Museums
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Travis Coleman
Latin Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree in ancient civilizations, University of Iowa
Background: For six exciting months, I worked at Walt Disney World in Florida. My roles there included cooking thousands of turkey legs a day and performing in the evening parades as Goofy. Most of my working years were spent in a grocery store back in Iowa, where I eventually became a chef.
Hobbies: My favorite hobby is hiking. When I'm not in the mountains, I enjoy reading, cooking, and writing.
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Chad Golsan
Latin Teacher
Education: University of Utah
Background: I'm a first generation college student. I learned Latin and Greek one on one with a Harvard Philologist. I have tutored, taught in private schools, and have been with APA since, 2012.
Hobbies: I love consuming stories and creating art.
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Meaghan Nielson-Brown
Latin Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from Utah State University; Master's Degree in Classics with an emphasis on Latin Pedagogy from The University of Arizona
Background: For over ten years, I have taught Latin to 5th graders, university students, and everyone in between. I have spent most of those years with 7th-12th grade students. I have been blessed to study and work with some of the most renowned classicists and Latin teachers in the country.
Hobbies: My husband and I spend most of our free time cooking our favorite recipes and trying new restaurants.
xMath Department
Tanner Bennett
Math Teacher
Education: Bachelors in Chemical Engineering
Background: Im originally from Michigan, served an LDS mission in Mexico City, and graduated from BYU.
Hobbies: Piano, Swimming, Board Games, and Arts & Crafts
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Katie Blackburn
Math Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, Utah State University; Teaching certifications in math, ESL, psychology, and German.
Background: I started teaching in 2008. I have been teaching math at APA-WV2 since its opening in 2011.
Hobbies: I love camping! My family and I try to find new places to visit every month. Some of our favorites include Logan and Moab. I also love to read and spend time with my kids.
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Tania Dimitrova
Math Teacher
Education: I graduate from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (Preparation for Teaching).
Background: I was born and raised in Bulgaria and can speak, read, and write in Bulgarian. In 2004, my family and I moved to California where I finished my K-12 education, attended community college and university. I graduated from San Jose State University in 2018. Two days after graduation, I packed up and moved to Utah. I have been working at APA since 2018. I worked as an elementary instructor for 3 years before moving to secondary.
Hobbies: I love playing video games and board/card games with friends, watching baseball, and attending concerts and hockey games. On the weekends, I enjoy bowling, cross-stitching while listening to music, and watching tv. I have also become very fond of fountain pens.
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Amanda Griggs
Math Teacher
Education: BA Mathematics
Background: I started at APA in 2018 at our West Valley One campus. While there I was a groups instructor and the yearbook advisor. In 2020 I transferred to our West Valley Two campus as a secondary math teacher. I have three associate degrees and a BA in education with an emphasis in mathematics.
Hobbies: I started at APA in 2018 at our West Valley One campus. While there I was a groups instructor and the yearbook advisor. In 2020 I transferred to our West Valley Two campus as a secondary math teacher. I have three associate degrees and a BA in education with an emphasis in mathematics.
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Patti Hatton
Math Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, Brigham Young University; licensed secondary teacher, Utah State University
Background: My first job out of college was as an environmental engineer at US Steel. After that, I was a real estate broker for 15 years in California, taught Real Estate and Finance for eight years at College of the Canyons, and even taught high school at the Utah State prison for a year. Raising my four children also took some time.
Hobbies - I live on a tiny farm and spend my summers and weekends weeding the garden, thinning the orchard, and tending the chickens. I'm hoping to add bees to the farm next year. I also love hanging out with my three grandchildren, playing with my dog, Toby, and sitting by the ocean whenever I get the chance.
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Rachael Peay
Math Teacher
Education: BS Applied Mathematics from Weber State University
Background: I am excited to impart knowledge of a subject I am passionate about with new students each year. I have 4 kids; 2 boys and 2 girls.
Hobbies: Reading, exercising, and spending time with my children.
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Brianne Peterson
Math Teacher
Education: SLCC Associates Degree, with an emphasis on mild to moderate special education. Western Governors University, Bachelors of Education: Secondary 5-12 Mathematics.
Background: I have always loved being a teacher, I started out as a dance teacher, where I taught ballet, jazz, hip hop and tumbling. I coached for many Utah high school drill teams and dance companies over a span of 15 years. While I was coaching I attended Salt Lake Community College, where I received an associate’s degree in general studies with an emphasis on mild to moderate special education. I continued my education at Western Governors University with a focus on secondary 5-12 grade Mathematics. I have been in a secondary math classroom either as a tutor, substitute or teacher for over 10 years.
Hobbies: I love, reading, swimming, being in the sun, and spending time with my 3 kids!
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Taylor Yates
Math Teacher
Education: Bachelors Degree in Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science, University of Utah
Background: I grew up moving between Maryland and California, but I claim Southern California as home. I ran cross country and track in high school and at the University of Texas in Austin. I transferred to the University of Utah after my first year at Texas and started teaching at APA right after graduating in 2020.
Hobbies: I like playing pickle ball on the weekends with my husband, baking chocolate desserts, going to the beach, and doing anything in the sun. On quiet evenings, I enjoy playing card games and watching Disney movies.
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Ben Wattayne
Math Teacher
Education: I graduated from Brigham Young University in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, with an Emphasis in Data Sciences.
Background: After leaving a career in Data Analytics I began working at APA in October 2022.
Hobbies: I love the outdoors! I am a big time skier, hiker, and pickleball player. I love working on motorcycles, watching sports, and spending time with my family.
xScience Department
Saba Ahmad
Science Teacher
Education:Bachelor's in Biology with a chemistry minor from GOVT. College University. Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Background:I'm from Pakistan, it's a beautiful country in the heart of South East Asia. I have been in education since 2010. I started as an instructor at APA then worked my way up to be a science teacher. My passion for teaching started while I was in college and I started tutoring my siblings. I teach 7th and 8th grade and I also have one year experience of teaching chemistry to international students.
Hobbies: I love spending time with my family and friends. I like hosting dinners, cooking and making videos.
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Irena Golon
Science Teacher
Education: Bachelors in Chemistry and Thesis Masters in Analytical Chemistry
Background: My entire family is full of different scientists, so my love for science began early as a child. I grew up in Houston, TX but spent my adult years in Pittsburgh, PA where I attended Seton Hill University and Duquesne University where I earned a Bachelors in Chemistry and a Thesis Masters in Analytical Chemistry. I developed my love for teaching while attending graduate school where I was a TA for four years. I moved to Utah in June of 2021 because my husband and I are avid skiers and am so happy to be teaching for an incredible school.
Hobbies: My favorite thing to do is spend time with my husband and my Bernese mountain dog, Pear. I also enjoy skiing, reading, and traveling.
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Rashell McLennan
Science Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Elmhurst College, Teacher Certification Training from Colorado Mesa University
Background: I have been a Core Knowledge and Classical Education Science Teacher since the 2010 -2011 school year. I love teaching science. I have taught elementary, middle and high school science. I enjoy learning and teaching life science and anatomy and physiology. Before becoming a science teacher I worked in the information technology and pharmaceutical industries. I am a licensed teacher in both Colorado and Utah.
Hobbies: My hobbies include water color painting, family history and reading historical fiction.
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Amberlyn Peterson
Science Teacher
Education: PhD in Chemistry from the University of Utah BS in Chemistry from Westminster College
Background: I have always had a fascination learning about the world around me and how it works. I earned a bachelor's degree and PhD in chemistry. In graduate school my research focused on atypical uses of DNA in nanotechnology. During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I found I also had the opportunity to teach various study sections and labs. I am excited to teach at APA and share the excitement of science with my students.
Hobbies: I love being outdoors, exploring and hiking in the mountains. I also enjoy cooking and creating new recipes.
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Dipika Sharma
Science Teacher
Education: MS- Plant Science(Botany)- India MS Curriculum and Instruction/Science Education - University of Minnesota
Background: Experienced Interpreter, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. I am skilled in Science Education, Curriculum Development, Ecology and Science (with more focus on Biology/Life Science). I believe learning is a lifelong process that enhances our understanding of the world we live in and beyond. My passion for teaching and learning began while working as a TA at the University. Since than I have been a part of both informal as well as structural teaching-learning setting.
Hobbies: Besides reading fictions, cooking and baking is something that keeps me sane and happy. I also love camping and travelling.
xHealth and PE
Caroline Retel
Health and PE Teacher
Education: B.S. Health Science from James Madison University
Background:I grew up in Michigan and Virginia with my parents, older brother, and sister before attending James Madison University. While in school I studied public health education and substance abuse prevention. After graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Health Science in 2018, I obtained my teaching license through Old Dominion University. I taught 7th and 8th grade Health & PE in Northern Virginia for two years before joining APA in 2021.
Hobbies: Riding my bicycle across Iowa! RAGBRAI forever!
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Rodrigo Betancourth
Orchestra Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education Science with a Major in Violin performance and Pedagogy
Background: I am from Guayaquil, Ecuador and currently live in Midvale. I am a Suzuki Certified Violin Teacher, teaching up to Book 7 and in the summer will certify up to Book 9. I have experience as a violin teacher in school with kindergarten children, and as a violin and orchestra teacher in elementary and high school from 2006 - 2013 in Ecuador. I have taught violin classes in a music Conservatory from 2010 -2013, where he graduated as a teacher in 2011. I continue to practice my profession of being a violin teacher and was also a member of the Symphonic Orchestra of Guayaquil-Ecuador from 2003 to 2013.
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David D'Agostini
Drama Teacher
Education: BFA from Brigham Young University in Music Dance Theatre. MFA in Dramatic Arts from the University of San Diego.
Background: I'm originally from Sacramento, Ca., and I have a wife and three wonderful children. I served a mission for the LDS church in Kiev, Ukraine. After my time in college, I spent many years in New York City where I worked as an actor and theatre professional. Here in Utah I work as an actor, voice-over artist, theatre company managing director, and now teacher.
Hobbies: Gardening, Model ship, car, and plane building, & Archery.
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David Leavitt
Choir Teacher
Education: BA from University of Utah in Speech and Organizational Communication. MBA from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.
Background: I grew up in the Salt Lake City area, but have lived in and traveled to much of the world. I served an LDS mission to Switzerland and speak German. I pursued a career in executive level management in large international businesses, traveling the globe and living with my wife and seven children in the U.S. Midwest, Bangkok Thailand/Indochina, and Jakarta Indonesia. I am also a serial entrepreneur in a variety of creative ventures. I have been active in music performance and education my entire life, including as a private vocal coach, and recently singing for several years with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Hobbies: Music composition, BYU football, golf, and grandkids.
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Marielle Kreutz
Dance Teacher
Education: BA from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Contemporary Dance Choreography and Performance
Background: I am originally from Colorado and love living so close to the mountains in the Salt Lake Valley with my family. During my time in college I had the opportunity to dance with the multiple touring companies - performing across the United States, Costa Rica, Panama, and Indonesia. I have taught dance in Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and Utah and love watching my students become dance artists. I have trained in and teach modern dance, ballet, jazz, tap, ballroom, world dance, and musical theater. Currently, I rehearse and perform with several professional contemporary dance companies in the Salt Lake area and enjoy working on my own technique and movement so that I can further mentor my students.
Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Woodworking, Hiking, Painting, Listening to audio books and podcasts
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Nancy Patterson
Art Teacher
Education: Bachelors in Art Education
Background: I have been working at APA for 14 years. I have worked at all of the Draper campuses as well as West Valley 2. I worked in the High School office for a couple of years and returned to teaching Art in 2019.
Hobbies: Being a mom to my 4 kids.
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Jairo Velazquez
Band Teacher
Education: Bachelors/Masters degree in Clarinet Performance from The University of Utah School of Music
Background: I was born and raised in Las Vegas Nevada and moved to Utah after high school to study at the U. I started taking clarinet lessons in 10th grade and soon after decided I wanted to study music in college. Music has always been a big part of my life.
Hobbies: Utah has made me appreciate the outdoors so I love hiking, going to lakes, and skiing in the winter time. I also try to take any opportunity to play in community orchestras around the valley.
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Derek Bartholomew
Full Time Substitue
Education: Salt Lake Community College AS- General Studies 2018, University of Utah- BS Writing and Rhetoric Studies 2020, Certified Functional Strength and Condition Coach- Level 2, American Association of Snowboard Instructors- Level 2
Background: After graduating High School, I enlisted in the United States Air Force, where I spent 8 years as a military police officer and a physical training leader. I used my Montgomery GI bill after my military service to earn a AS in General Studies at Salt Lake Community College. I then transferred to the University of Utah where I graduated with a BS in Writing and Rhetoric Studies. While I was in school, I worked as a personal trainer completing my level 2 in Mike Boyles' CFSC system. I also spent the last 6 years as a Snowboard instructor at Park City/ Snowbird where I earned my Level 2 AASI certification.
Hobbies: I love snowboarding, climbing, competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, camping, backpacking and coaching soccer!
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