About

Our Faculty and Staff

Administration

Christy Hall

Christy Hall

Director

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.

Jodi Jensen

Jodi Jensen

Dean of Students

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.

Courtney Webb

Courtney Webb

Business Administrator

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.

Lorell Loosle

Lorell Loosle

Special Education Director

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.

Jennifer Racker

Jennifer Racker

Administration Assistant

Email: jracker@stgacademy.org

Bachelor in Business Education – Southern Utah University

 

Mrs. Racker graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She spent many years working as a legal assistant in a law office and even more years being a stayathome mom. Combining her two loves, her children, and working in an office, Mrs. Racker’s dream job has always been to be an Administrative Assistant at one of her children’s schools. When she isn’t working, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family, read, and make crafts.
Jeff Harrah

Jeff Harrah

Instructional Coach

Email: jharrah@stacademy.org

M. ED. Secondary Education, Mathematics

Jeff Harrah grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and graduated from Northern Arizona University in December of 1992. He met his wife, Susan, at NAU and they both married in 1993. Jeff went on to earn a M.Ed. in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics in 1995. Jeff and his family, Susan, Hannah, Zak,and Payden moved to Oakley, Idaho where he was the volleyball assistant coach, football assistant coach, head boys basketball coach, golf coach, Athletic Director and the only High School math teacher.  He earned an Educational Leadership endorsement in 2000 and became the vice principal at Burley High School in 2001. He later became the principal at Burley High School from 2003-2006. Along with his wife and three children, they moved to St. George in 2007 to be closer to family. He taught at Dixie Middle School teaching math and coaching and in 2013 accepted a vice principal position at Snow Canyon Middle School. He has been teaching the state endorsement classes to elementary teachers for UVU since 2010. He is also an adjunct instructor at Utah Tech teaching education majors mathematics.

He loves to spend his free time with his wife, golfing, and visiting his three grown children and new granddaughter, Emery.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

St. George Academy

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Amanda Gerry

Amanda Gerry

Mathematics

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.

Kyle Fredrick

Kyle Fredrick

Mathematics & Physics

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.”

LANGUAGE ARTS

LANGUAGE ARTS

Carly Olsen

Carly Olsen

English Language Arts

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.

Amy Flores

Amy Flores

English Language Arts

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!

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Trevor Anderson

Trevor Anderson

Science

Email: tanderson@stgacademy.org

Bachelor of Science in Biology: Biology Education
Emphasis from Dixie State University

Though sedentary in his youth (much like the beloved bivalve mollusks), Mr. Anderson is now ready to detach and explore the natural world through science! He is from the cultural hub of the southwest: LaVerkin, Utah. Taught by both the whistle of the wind and the vaulted halls of learning (degrees in psychology and biology) he is experienced and ready for anything, with the exception of super volcanoes and giant meteors. He will engage in conversations about science, soccer, Avatar the Last Airbender, and music. With a passion for the history and process of science, he understands we have come a long way as a species and still have much to learn and overcome.

Rebekah Condie

Rebekah Condie

Science

Email: rcondie@stgacademy.org

Bachelor of Science in Biology/Integrated Science: Education Emphasis

 Mrs. Condie graduated from Utah Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. She loves working with students and helping them get excited about the natural world around them. Outside of school, Mrs. Condie enjoys baking cakes and cupcakes for her small business, as well as exploring Southern Utah with her husband.

Jose Saraiva

Jose Saraiva

Astronomy

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 fulltime 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

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Joan Cartmill

Joan Cartmill

Social And Behavioral Sciences

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 202122 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 201920 Utah Smart/Maher National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the Middle School Level.

Jason Gough

Jason Gough

Social And Behavioral Sciences

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.

Maggie Yunker

Maggie Yunker

Social and Emotional Learning

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.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Lorene Briscoe

Lorene Briscoe

Academic Support

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

Kristen Blaha

Kristen Blaha

Title I Director

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.

Daniel Cartmill

Daniel Cartmill

Special Education Paraprofessional

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.

Shauri Reese

Shauri Reese

Special Education Paraprofessional

Email: sreese@stgacademy.org

Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Utah University

Shauri is a St. George native and loves everything about the area except for the heat! She has worked in education since 2018 and has experience as a Paraprofessional, Wellness Center Coordinator, Functioning Skills Specialist, and a Case Manager for homeless youth. She taught for two years as a Special Education Teacher, but when she started her Master’s Degree in Special Education, she decided to go part time and take on working with high school students. She originally got her Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, but realized that teaching was her calling as her kids grew older. She enjoys hiking, camping, riding horses, kayaking, and hanging out with her goofy family. 

Ebonie Munguia

Ebonie Munguia

Paraprofessional

Email: mmunguia@stgacademy.org

 

Ms Munguia started at SGA as a para in 2023 and is a wonderful para-educator. She has lived in
many places throughout the world and enjoys all she learns in those places. She has started
school to become a special education teacher and continues to learn and grow through these
experiences. Ms. M is an exceptional person, very hard-working, responsible, kind, respectful
and above all, she has a big heart. She loves people very much without looking at who they are
and she is very interested in others. Ms. Munguia is so happy to be in St George and working
with all the students at SGA.

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT

Robert Curl

Robert Curl

Visual Art

Email: rcurl@stgacademy.org

MFA in Studio Arts from California State University-Chico

 

Robert Curl has been teaching visual arts in both the secondary and collegiate levels for the past
7+ plus years. Curl holds a great level of passion and respect in regard to the ever changing and
challenging field of fine art. Curl believes that comprehensive and quality arts education is key to
both the demystification of art, particularly contemporary art. And he is dedicated to the opening
of young minds to the great breadth of ways that they may express and communicate via diverse
visual art media.

UMA & HEALTH SCIENCE

UMA & HEALTH SCIENCE

SFC Branden Draper

SFC Branden Draper

AJROTC Instructor

Email: bdraper@stgacademy.org

BA Physical Education Southern Utah University

SFC Draper received his BA in Physical Education from Southern Utah University. SFC Draper has spent the last 20 years serving in various positions for the Utah Army National Guard as

an Active Duty Soldier. He taught for 5 years at Beaver High School before going active with the guard. He looks forward to starting the first Army JROTC program in southern Utah at St George Academy. SFC Draper is married to his wife Camille and has three children, Dylan, Jazmyn, and Dexten, and two grandchildren, Brixton and Charlie.

 

“Remember who you are and what you stand for.”

 

Desiree Tuttle

Desiree Tuttle

Spanish/Health/Physical Education

Email: dgentry@stgacademy.org

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

COMPUTER SCIENCE & ROBOTICS

COMPUTER SCIENCE & ROBOTICS

Cutler Cowdin

Cutler Cowdin

Robitics/Computer Science

Email: ccowdin@stgacademy.org

BS Biology Utah Tech University
Cutler Cowdin earned his undergraduate degree from Utah Tech University. There he graduated
Magna Cum Laude with his degree in Biology and an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences. Mr. Cutler
also graduated with a minor in Chemistry and Spanish. Mr. Cutler enjoys teaching and currently
teaches at Utah Tech University as biochemistry lab instructor.
Jennifer Reid

Jennifer Reid

Computer Science/Graphic Design

Email: jreid@stgacademy.org

Certification in Digital Animation from Cerro Coso Community College
CIW Certification HTML & JS Developer, CSS3 Developer, UX Design

BS Business Administration, Information Technology Management, WGU

Ms. Reid works as the Software Development teacher for grades 8-12. She teaches students C#, Java, Python, HTML, CSS, & JS as well as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere.

Before coming to SGA, Ms. Reid worked for over 10 years in Online Marketing and Web Design and Development. She is Google Certified in AdWords and Analytics, apprenticed for two years with graphic artist Ric Estrada, and is certified in Digital Animation. She’s also had the privilege to work with a diverse range of businesses in Southern Utah on their marketing and website needs.