Email: chall@stgacademy.org

Masters of Education from Southern Utah University

Christy Hall has been in the field of education for over two decades and was part of the founding movement of charter schools in the State of Utah. She received her Masters of Education from Southern Utah University in curriculum development in 2003. Though she has moved into administration, she teaches both mathematics and literature on the side. In 2007 she was named Teacher of the Year at Tuacahn High School and in 2011 she received the Charter School Teacher of the Year award for the State of Utah.

Email: jjensen@stgacademy.org

M.Ed in Counselor Education from Cleveland State University

Jodi Jensen earned her undergraduate degree at Dixie State University in Psychology and continued her graduate studies at Cleveland State University where she received her master degree in Counselor Education. While living in Cleveland Ms. Jensen taught strengths-based parenting classes and worked in school administration. She is a licensed school counselor and a QPR Suicide Prevention Certified Gatekeeper Instructor. As a first-generation college student, Ms. Jensen understands the importance of educating the whole student. She believes that schools, families, and communities play a vital and integral role in each student’s life.

Email: cwebb@stgacademy.org

Master of Business Administration

Courtney earned her Bachelor of Sciencein Business and Communications from Utah Tech University and continued her studies at Southern Utah University where she earned her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. Courtney has over eight years of experience in administration in human resources and managerial accounting. She values education and finds great joy using her business knowledge in the realm of education.

Email: lloosle@stgacademy.org

M.Ed U of U in Special Education/Deaf Education

Mrs. Loosle has been teaching and working with students who qualify for special education services since early in her life. She began volunteering in classrooms in elementary school and has continued working and learning from these students. Mrs. Loosle earned her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and her Master’s of Education from the University of Utah in Special Education. Mrs. Loosle is excited to continue working in the special education department with students and parents at SGA.

Email: jracker@stgacademy.org

Bachelor in Business Education – Southern Utah University

Email: agerry@stgacademy.org

Masters in Mathematics Education from Western Governors

Amanda Gerry has been teaching in the field of Mathematics for 13 years. She loves working with
students and developing a curriculum to meet their needs. She received her Bachelor’s of Dance/Mathematics Education from Southern Utah University in 2006 and her Masters of Mathematics Education from Western Governors in 2017.

Email: Mmendenhall@stgacademy.org

Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics Education from BYU-I

McKenna Mendenhall loves working with students to help them discover their untapped potential, whether that be in math, growing their own garden, or just in the progress to being better humans. She loves being a mom of two, adventuring outside, finding new ways to be self–sufficient, learning new hobbies, and caring for her many species of pets. She received her Bachelor’s in Math Education in 2018.

Email: kfredrick@stgacademy.org

B.S. in Mathematics Education from Southern Utah University

Kyle Fredrick earned his undergraduate degree in the small college town of Cedar City, Utah. There he learned to appreciate the many national parks and outdoor adventures that surrounded him. While earning his degree in Mathematics Education, Mr. Fredrick tutored many of his peers and students in the community. He believes that all students can learn and reach their full potential, embodying the motto from his Alma Mater; “Learning Lives Forever.”

Email: dedwards@stgacademy.org

Masters of Science in Literature and Writing from Utah State University.

Mr. Edwards is a Utah local, born and raised in American Fork. He began writing poetry in third grade and playing with photography at fourteen years old. After spending seven years teaching University English courses, Edwards made the switch to working in publishing. During his time away from teaching he worked as the Editor in Chief of The Creative and later as the Managing Editor of The Independent. It was during this time that he also published his first book, Utah Sport Climbing: Stories and Reflections on the Bolting of the Beehive State, 2017, The History Press, and was a member of two National Poetry Slam teams.

Email: colsen@stgacademy.org

Bachelor’s Southern Utah University

Ms. Olsen has always been passionate about reading and writing. She maintained that passion in college where she majored in literature studies. She has attended literature and popular culture conferences as an undergraduate and that made her love each topic even more. She loves sharing her passion for literature with her students at St. George Academy. Ms. Olsen has a legendary addiction to coffee and is the proud mother of the world’s poutiest (and grumpiest) cat. Her hobbies include performing improv comedy and playing the trombone.

Email: adespain@stgacademy.org

Bachelors of Elementary Education from Dixie State UniversityESL endorsement

Ms.Flores has wanted to teach since she was a high school student herself. She is originally from Chicago and came to Utah by way of Seattle. Ms. Flores has two children and two cats. Her favorite subject in school is mathematics and has also enjoyed taking all the ASL classes that Dixie State University had to offer. She enjoys finding ways that each student learns best, to make sure they understand and are enjoying what they are learning!

Email: jsaraiva@stgacademy.org

Electrical Engineer and MBA from BYU. Speaks Portuguese and Spanish

Mr. Saraiva was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His degrees in Engineering (Electronics and Mechanical Manufacturing), and Marketing Administration, were obtained in Brazil. Mr. Saraiva also has a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from BYU. After working for 40 years as Engineer, Business Manager, and Business Development Director for companies in Brazil and US, Mr. Saraiva decided to start teaching and help students to find their future careers. Mr. Saraiva started as a full–time teacher at the Academy from day one. Teaching Physics, Astronomy, and CTE classes like Electronics, Engineering, and Robotics at the Academy has been a delight for him. Mr. Saraiva has been a longtime educator, beginning at Tech High School in Brazil, teaching Mathematics, Physics, and Accounting. He also had the opportunity to teach graduate courses in the Latin America Business classes at BYU during his MBA program. Since moving to Southern Utah he has been a mathematics and science teacher at the middle and high school level. When not in the classroom, he enjoys photography, astronomy, and running. Mr. Saraiva is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English

Email: jcartmill@stgacademy.org

Masters of Education degree from the University of Utah
MS American History from Pace University (May 2023)

Prior to SGA, Ms. Cartmill was involved in education for over 20 years. She is one of the founding faculty members of St. George Academy, teaches a variety of social science courses, and serves as the 2021–22 Assessment Director and Concurrent Enrollment liaison. Ms. Cartmill takes students on an 8 day civic education trip with CloseUp DC/NYC. The next trip will be June 2022. In 2020, Ms. Cartmill was awarded the 2019–20 Utah Smart/Maher National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the Middle School Level.

Email: nvandam@stgacademy.org

BA in History Education from Southern Utah University

Despite being born in southern Utah, Mr. Van Dam spent much of his youth living in strange, foreign lands such as Arizona and Nevada finally settling in time to attend Hurricane High School. It was here that he first gained his love for Japanese language, culture, and history. After graduating high school Mr. Van Dam lived in Kagoshima and Okinawa, Japan from March 2008 until January 2010 and returned to live in Okinawa from August 2014 until November 2015.

Mr. Van Dam has a wife and two children whom he adores, most of the time.

Email: jgough@stgacademy.org

Bachelor of History Education with History and Social Studies Endorsements from Southern Utah University

Jason Gough grew up in a large family with 8 kids in St. George, Utah. He attended Snow Canyon High School, Dixie State, and Southern Utah University where he studied History Education and was top of his class. He has been teaching for 6 years. He married his wife, Kylie, in 2010 and has 2 wonderful children, McKay 7, and Samantha 3. His hobbies include all sports, camping, hiking, and anything outdoors. He also enjoys movies, which he quotes often, and listens to a variety of music. History is his passion and he hopes to share his love of learning with his students.

Email: mcastro@stgacademy.org

Masters of Education from the UofU in Special Education: Severe, Bachelors of Arts from SUU in Music Education and Special
Education: Mild/Mod.

Mrs. Castro graduated Summa Cum Laude from SUU with additional endorsements in ESL, plus Gifted & Talented in special education. She also received and endorsement in Math 1 from Utah Valley University (UVU). She and her husband, Kevin, own Castro & Co. Jewelers in Cedar city. She has a Clerical Certificate and an AA in Small Business Management also from SUU. Mrs. Castro attended The American Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Conservatory of music. Music had always been her first love until she was introduced to special education; “There is nothing like the sparkle in a child’s eye when they get it, the AHA moment.” As she likes to say:
“SI SE PUEDE!”

Email: lbriscoe@stgacademy.org

Lorene Briscoe started volunteering at a school 12 years ago. She liked it so much she wanted to start a career working in schools and has been working with students as a Paraprofessional for the past 10 years throughout Washington County, Utah. She has a Behavior Specialist Certificate, and works well with students who are frustrated or having a rough day. She encourages and assists students to achieve their academic goals. Her favorite subject is Math. In her spare time she likes to go camping, hiking, and enjoy the outdoors with her husband and her 4 children

Email: acastro@stgacademy.org

Alissa Castro is from Cedar City and a Certified Paraprofessional. She attended SUU (Southern Utah University) with a music scholarship. She’s very family oriented, enjoys a good book and the outdoors.

Email: kblaha@stgacademy.org

Masters of Education from DePaul University
Bilingual-Bicultural degree & English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement from DePaul University

Kristen Blaha is from southeastern Wisconsin where she was born, raised and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After working at Google in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois, she earned her Master of Elementary Education and taught 6th, 7th, & 8th grade French and Spanish. After 29 years of cold and icy winters, she left the Midwest for the warmer weather, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. She has since taught 3rd grade, 5th grade and 6th grade language arts in St. George and is thrilled to join St. George Academy as the Title 1 Coordinator.

Email: dcartmill@stgacademy.org

Daniel Cartmill is new to the field of education but has several educators in his family history. He graduated high school with an associate degree by going through concurrent enrollment classes. He enjoys cooperative problem solving with applied statistics, both in person and online, which is how he wants to say D&D and other games. Daniel thinks math isn’t as bad as some people may think it is and hopes to show students that when working with them.

Email: myunker@stgacademy.org

B.A. in History and Social Science Teaching from Dixie State University

Mrs. Yunker is a St. George native who is passionate about helping all students become the best versions of themselves through discovering their potential and developing their unique self. As a lifelong learner, She finds that the world is the best classroom. Through her travels with her husband and 12 year old daughter, she takes every opportunity to not just learn of the history of the countries she visits but the social and cultural aspects that make that country and its people distinct. Mrs. Yunker is a pop culture nerd and loves everything from Lord of the Rings to Disney. She is an avid coffee drinker and in her downtime loves to create and sew cosplays with her sisters.

Email: cmiseirvitch@stgacademy.org

Bachelor of Art in Art Education and Associate of Arts in Fine Art

Ms. Miseirvitch has been painting and drawing ever since she can remember. Growing up in Wyoming, she learned to love being outdoors. When she is not in the classroom, you can find Ms. Miseirvitch painting outside, hiking, or longboarding. If it’s too hot, she can be found indoors playing on her Nintendo Switch or making her own jewelry. Christi is very passionate about art and wants to see everyone creating artwork.

BA from Southern Virginia University

After a life-changing 16 months in Mexico, Mrs. Tuttle grew to love the Spanish language and decided she wanted to share it with anyone willing to learn. Upon obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she landed an internship teaching Spanish in Virginia and decided this was the path for her. Born and raised in St. George, she returned to her roots in 2018 to teach at St George Academy. Desiree also has a passion for exercise and nutrition, which led her to teaching physical education and health in addition to Spanish. She ran cross country in high school and then in college, competing in the USCAA national championships where her team took first place in 2011 and 2012. She hopes to help every student find that exercise and healthy living can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience

Email: pduston@stgacademy.org

BS in Education From University of Main, MBA from Western New Egland University

Mr. Duston comes to SGA from Tuacahn HS where he taught for over sixteen years. Mr. Duston has taught German, geography, world civilization, American history, United States government, financial literacy, multimedia and 3D graphics, and animation. Teaching is a second career for Mr. Duston. He is a retired army officer with over twenty–five years of service. He served in military intelligence and the infantry. He has traveled extensively and was stationed in Europe for over half of his military career. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Mr. Duston has two sons and two daughters. He and his wife Marcie reside in St. George.

Email: jreid@stgacademy.org

Certification in Digital Animation from CCCC
CIW Certification HTML & JS Developer
CIW Certification CSS3 Developer
CIW Certification UX Design

BS Software Development, WGU

Jennifer Reid is an Online Marketing Consultant who helps businesses grow by developing and implementing digital marketing strategies for any budget. Along with offering digital marketing and Pay-per-click services, she also offers content writing services that attract organic traffic, boosts audience engagement, and increases brand awareness. She is Google certified in AdWords and Analytics, apprenticed for two years with artist Ric Estrada and is certified in Digital Animation. She’s had the privilege to work with some of the largest businesses in Southern Utah on their marketing and websites.