Liahona conducts criminal background checks on teachers and staff.
The teachers at Liahona are some of the finest to be found in any educational system. Our teachers are passionate about including gospel truth along with their academic subjects. They are excited about learning and impart that attitude to their students. They believe that learning can be fun as well as educational, and at Liahona, it is!
Brent DeGraff:
History
Brother DeGraff teaches the Intermediate, Freshman and Senior classes. He is passionate about history and the principles of freedom! His credentials include: Instructor for the Church Education System, International Director of Schools for the Center for Educational Restoration, and Operations Director and Distance Learning Coordinator for the Center for Alternative Education. Brother DeGraff creates a learning atmosphere which touches a student's heart and helps them understand the importance of the role they play in our country's future.
Tracy Willburn:
English
Sister Willburn has a gift for making grammar understandable and her Freshman and Senior students leave her classes extremely well prepared for college! She is dyslexic and dysgraphic and has great empathy for those who struggle with English. Despite those challenges, she graduated with honors from BYU in English and Classic Literature. She has her MA in Comparative Literature and received her Doctorate from the University of Utah. She has taught at BYU and currently teaches at Utah Valley State College. She has published several professional articles and speaks five languages.
Sam Neiswender:
Science, Algebra 1/2
Brother Neiswender teaches the Freshman and Senior Biology classes. He is currently studying Biology Education at Utah Valley State College. He has written curriculum for the Boys and Girls Club and mentors at-risk youth. Brother Nieswender has been on championship Ballroom Dance teams, is an avid Yankees and Jazz fan and loves working with the students.
Deborah Rowley:
5th/6th Grade
Sister Rowley is a home schooling mom of 5 children. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in English from BYU where she also earned her Utah Secondary Teaching Certificate with a Speech Endorsement. She has taught at West Jordan Middle School, Independence High School, and Humble Pie Pre-school. She is a published author of 5 LDS titles, they include: “Before They Turn Twelve: Helping Our Children to Live the Lord’s Standards”, “My Wedding Day”, “White Shirts”, “White Dresses”, and “Family Home Evening for Newlyweds”. Three additional titles are being published in 08 and 09. She is married to Lin Rowley.
Darci Call:
History, Health, Fitness for Life, Athletic Director
Sister Call has taught in public and private schools for seven years. She has seventeen years of coaching experience and has been an Athletic Director for two years. Sister Call has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Brigham Young University.
Krysta Boyle:
English
Sister Boyle teaches the Intermediate classes. She is finishing her English Teaching degree at Utah Valley University.
Amy Hartley:
Science, Health
Sister Hartley has a Bachelor's degree in Community Health from Utah Valley University. She is working toward a Doctorate and has completed many additional classes in the Sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy, to name a few. She is CPR/First Aid certified. She loves science and all the fun doors it opens. Sister Hartley is passionate about her testimony and how easily religion ties into all things scientific and feels strongly that the only way to teach science is through a religious lens.
Sheldon Whitaker:
Geometry, Advanced Math
Brother Whitaker comes to Liahona with a wealth of experience. He has a B.S. degree in Electircal Engineering and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering, and an M.S. degree in Operations Research, Managerial Economics. Brother Whitaker is very thorough, an excellent teacher, and enjoys teaching. His students leave his classes extremely well prepared.
Ryan Cook:
Algebra I, Geometry
Brother Cook has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from BYU. He loves Math and has a good time with his students while they are learning. Brother Cook also owns two business in the community, is an Eagle Scout and is fluent in Spanish.
Annette Durfee:
Algebra I
Sister Durfee has an Associates Degree in Office Management, a Bachelors Degree in Business Education with a Secondary Math Minor and her Utah Standard Certificate in Secondary Ed. Business and Math Level 3. Sister Durfee cares deeply about her students and works hard to make sure they are solidly prepared. She has a talent for re-enforcing gospel principles to her math lessons.
Kathryn Drake:
Liahona’s Elementary Administrator, 1st/2nd Grade
Sister Drake has taught for 25 years at Geneva and Manilla Elementary. She earned her Elementary Education degree and Utah Teaching Certificate from BYU, has a Master’s Equivalency, is a Utah Golden Apple Award winner, and beloved by hundreds of students. She has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
Annalee Barajas:
3rd/4th Grade
Sister Barajas has a Bachelor of Science degree from BYU in Elementary Education. She has taught pre-school to 4th graders at Kids Village, 4th grade students in Mexico, Kindergarten age children and English as a second language in Korea. She is fluent in Spanish. She is married and has 5 children.
Broch DeGraff:
Pre-School, Kindergarten
Brother DeGraff has a two-year Teaching License in Early Childhood Education from Utah Valley University. He spent two years in Costa Rica teaching in the community and is fluent in Spanish. Brother DeGraff has been the High School Spanish teacher at Liahona Preparatory Academy for four years and is working toward a degree in Early Childhood Development at UVU.
Millie DeGraff:
Pre-School, Kindergarten
Sister DeGraff has been the Teacher's Aid for a year and continues to work toward her two-year Teaching License in Early Childhood Education from Utah Valley University.
Administration:
Our friendly office staff is knowledgeable about education and home school issues. They are happy to assist you in any way possible.
Patty Taylor:
Sister Taylor is our receptionist. She is the person you will most likely speak with first. If you have questions about Liahona's Programs or would like to visit the school, talk to Sister Taylor.
Kelli Stowers:
Questions about Liahona? Questions about report cards? Wondering if you are on track for graduation? Call Sister Stowers. Grades, Accreditation issues and Accreditation Counseling appointments are among her many duties.
Joanne Smith:
Sister Smith heads up Liahona's Finance Department. Contact her for any tuition or other finance related questions.
Melody Rush:
Sister Rush has been involved in the field of education for many years. She currently assists with the day-to-day operations at Liahona. She also updates / maintains the Liahona database and website, so if you have any questions in these areas, please contact her.
Kolleen DeGraff:
Sister DeGraff is Liahona's administrator. She has a Bachelors degree in Communications, has taught at Salt Lake Community College and co-authored several books including "When Together Forever Doesn't Last", "Threads of Liberty", the "Wisemen Raised Up" series, and other Liahona text books.
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