People

Faculty K-5

Kindergarten Team

Tiana McEwen

Kindergarten Teacher

Hello, I'm Ms. McEwen! I've been teaching Kindergarten at Summit Academy for 9 years and I love it! Working with the kids is a blast! I love getting to know their silly little personalities and watching the amazing growth they make throughout the year!  In my spare time I like to play sports like volleyball or spike ball. I love to spend time outside hiking or riding my bike. I love spending time with my family and traveling! I’m excited for another great year at Summit!  

Cami Talbot

Kindergarten Teacher

I've been in Kindergarten at Summit since 2017, and I love it! I'm passionate about helping early childhood learners unlock the tools that will make them great readers.  

Hannah Wallace

Kindergarten Teacher

I am very excited to get to know your students and look forward to being part of their educational experience!

Annie Cook

Kindergarten Para

 I absolutely love working with kids and helping them grow.

Diana Honarvar

Kindergarten Grade Para

I love children and want to help them to grow into strong, happy, kind, and independent individuals.

Kelly Zollo

Kindergarten Para

 I love working with all our amazing students helping them grow and learn.

First Grade Team

Stephanie Bennett

Stephanie Bennett

1st Grade Teacher Split

Stephanie Burnside

1st Grade Teacher Split

My kids have attended Summit Academy, and I feel lucky to be a teacher here!!

McClain King

1st Grade Teacher

I grew up being a Falcon and I am excited to give back! 

Gissell Medina

Gissell Medina

1st Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher

Amber Horton

Interventionist

I love being a part of this amazing community. Being able to help children learn and grow is so rewarding.   

Dee Lloyd

1st Grade Para

Hi, My name is Mrs. Dee. I love being in the classroom and watching kiddos grow and evolve personally and academically. When I am not teaching,  or spending time with my family, I am usually training for a trail race. I love to run long distances out in nature. 

Uriel Mendoza

Uriel Mendoza

1st Grade Spanish DLI Para

Kayla Pantos

Kayla Pantos

1st Grade Para

Second Grade Team

Janacay Deen

2nd Grade Teacher

We are going to have a fun year full of learning. I am looking forward to a great year with all your children.

Violeta Huncal De Perez

2nd Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher

I am a proud Latina educator with 15 years of teaching experience. I love inspiring students to grow as bilingual learners and to value both language and culture. At Summit Academy, I am excited to continue helping children learn, thrive, and discover the joy of learning two languages.

Heather Stolworthy

2 Grade Teacher

I love teaching because I get to be around the most enthusiastic and inquisitive people on earth – the kids!

Leisha Leituala

Leisha Leituala

2nd Grade Para

Wendy Martinez

Wendy Martinez

2nd Grade Spanish DLI Para

Aakshi Walia

Interventionist

Students do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Third Grade Team

Alyx Dodenbier

3rd Grade Teacher

I can’t wait to get to know your students this year! 😊

Kim Evans

3rd Grade Teacher Split

I've been teaching at Summit since 2015. I love spending time with my family. When I'm not at school, you might find me reading, watching movies, or snacking. 

Jackie Liljenquist

3rd Grade Teacher Split

I love teaching and am thrilled to watch students learn, thrive, and be successful!

Jamie Whimple

3rd Grade Teacher

 I love running, rock climbing and reading.

Annie Cain

3rd Grade Para

I have worked in education for 20 years, and taught for 19. I attended the U of U to obtain my Bachelor's in Elementary Education, and University of Phoenix to receive a Master's Degree in Instruction and Curriculum in Mathematics. I enjoy rock climbing, snowboarding, cycling, and Jiu Jitsu. I own a small knitting company, and I love to sew. Teaching is my super power!

Emily Ervin

Interventionist

I have been at Summit since 2020 and I love being part of this wonderful community. I am grateful to work with such amazing students each year, and to see their hard work and progress. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, watching football, and spending time with my family.

Fourth Grade Team

Katharine Adams

Katharine Adams

4th Grade Teacher

Kat Jewell

4th Grade Teacher

We have a fabulous second grade team.  I am excited for this adventure of learning with your child.

Emmalee Perry

4th Grade Teacher

Each new day is an opportunity to make the world a better place. Helping my students learn, grow, and be the difference they want to see in the world brings me endless joy—something eight-year-old me always dreamed of.

Drake Gunn

Drake Gunn

4th Grade Para

Whitney Roberts

4th Grade Interventionist

"I'm so excited to help your amazing students grow into the best people they can be!"

Fifth Grade Team

Valerie  Corso

Valerie Corso

4th Grade Teacher

Marissa Heaps

5th Grade Teacher

I have a passion for helping students, reading, baking, music, and fitness.  

Matt Romriell

5th Grade Teacher

 I have an ambitious curiosity for the Sciences, and a voracious love of Reading, both of which I can’t wait to share with my students.

Nora Munkhtaivan

Nora Munkhtaivan

5th Grade Para

I'm so excited to meet you and watch you grow and learn this year!

Alicia Cordova

Alicia Cordova

5th Grade Interventionist

Additional Staff

Missy Brunisholz

Jr High Art/ K-5 Art Teacher

 I feel one of the best ways to express oneself is through art. My hope is every student who leaves my class understands the impact they can make in the world around them through art.

Jordan Holmes

Jordan Holmes

Recess Aide

Jamie Mathews

Jamie Mathews

Librarian

Special Education Team

Danielle Alsop

Child Find Coordinator
Team Lead
Draper/ SAHS Campuses

I have worked in education since 1991 and at Summit Academy since 2016 in intervention/child find. I received a Master of Education degree from Utah State University.

Bonnie Blomquist

Special Education Coordinator
Bluffdale

I bring over 15 years of experience in special education. My teaching career has been shaped by a commitment to inclusive practices, individualized learning, and fostering student growth both academically and socially.

As a Special Education Coordinator, I am committed to working closely with teachers, families, and support staff to ensure that every student receives the resources and guidance they need to thrive.

Rachael Carpenter

Support Service

All my children have attended Summit Academy, and I have worked here in various capacities for 7 years.  This is my second year working in Support Services.  I love this community and working with such amazing people. 

 

Ately Castillo

Ately Castillo

SpEd Para

Mekell Child

Mekell Child

ISC-A Support Service Para

Christa Eskelson

Support Service Behavior Tech

 I began volunteering in the classes which led me to working as an Paraeducator.

Kaori Handa

Kaori Handa

ISC-A Support Service Para

Wendy Hadden

Support Service Assistant

I work with Support Services and the amazing staff and fabulous students.

Taegan Hancock

Taegan Hancock

Elementary Behavior Tech

Shilo Hays

Shilo Hays

Gen Ed Behavior Tech

Malia Isaacs

Malia Isaacs

Support Services

Jennifer Krynen

Jennifer Krynen

Support Service Para

Laura Lowther

Laura Lowther

Special Education Para

Becca Mitchell

Support Services Elementary Teacher

I have a passion for volleyball and love the outdoors! This will be my first year at Summit Academy and I am so excited to be teaching your students. I love seeing progress, not perfection! 

Teemarie Mohowski

Special Education Coordinator
Jr. High
Draper, Independence

I have worked at Summit Academy since 2006 as the coordinator and LOVE IT!

Ella Nguyen

Ella Nguyen

Support Service Behavior Tech

Gayle Petersen

Special Education Coordinator
Elementary
Draper, Independence

I'm so happy to be a part of Summit Academy!

Jacque Schmidt

Director of Support Services
LEA 504 Coordinator

Director of Special Education for the past 21 years, Jacque started with Summit in 2004.  She has a MEd from Utah State University and has worked in the special education field for more than 30 years.

Sue Swensen

Special Education Para

 I love teaching reading and math and having fun while we learn.

Shelby Swenson

Shelby Swenson

Support Services Sub

Sydney Thomas

Sydney Thomas

SpEd Para

Fondereaux Wilson

Fondereaux Wilson

Behavior Tech

Hannah Withers

Hannah Withers

Social Worker