Anne was born and raised in Arizona. She attended Utah State University where she received her bachelor's in Communicative Disorders. After leaving USU, she taught for two years at an elementary school in Mississippi before returning to Utah. This is her fourth year at Early Light Academy. Anne loves working with the students at ELA.

When Anne is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves photography, reading, playing flute and piano, and spending time outdoors. She also loves to play board games and is always up for learning a new one! 

Anne is excited for another year at ELA and can't wait to see her students learn, grow, and become great leaders!

Shannon was born and raised in Rhode Island and is the oldest of 5 girls. She grew up reading, drawing, fishing, jumping on trampolines, and playing Just Dance with her parents and sisters. She moved to Utah in 2017 to attend BYU, lived in Russia from 2018-2020, and has lived in Utah since returning from Russia. 

While studying Special Education at BYU, Shannon met and married her husband Brandon. They love adventuring, spending time with friends and family, and eating yummy food together. 

Shannon loves reading, cooking, baking, speaking Russian, and playing the guitar, piano, ukulele, and clarinet. She loves to learn, and loves helping students learn and grow.

Minnie Sylvester grew up in the Philippines and speaks fluent Tagalog. She came to the United States to study at BYU-HAWAII, received a Bachelors Degree in Special Education and taught in the Ogden School District for several years. She decided to stay home after her first child was born. She thrives being around people, hearing their stories, adventures, learning about different cultures, cooking, letter writing, traveling with close friends and family. 

Her favorites are: anything mango, the color green, art, Asian food, Fall and Spring, Cadbury chocolate with nuts, and pistachio ice cream. She is thrilled to be a part of ELA family.  Minnie is always at sports events and dance competitions. She is blessed to have 4 children together with her husband. They live in Daybreak. 

Aloha

Yvona was born and raised in Czech Republic, formerly Czechoslovakia, where she also attended University of Mining. A few months after she graduated with the degree in Mining Engineering, Yvona immigrated to the United States. Following a brief experience of living in San Francisco, she relocated to Salt Lake City where she enjoyed residing for over 12 years. After her third child was born, she moved with her family to Gilbert, Arizona. There she discovered her affinity and passion for teaching and obtained the Master Degree in Special Education from the Grand Canyon University. Since then, Yvona has been teaching students mostly with moderate to mild disabilities. She can be characterized as a teacher who always has high academic and behavior expectations for her students and helps the children accomplish their goals in a caring and mind stimulating learning environment. 

In her free time, Yvona loves to spend time with her family. She enjoys pilates, yoga and relishes hiking in the wondrous Utah nature. She can’t wait to experience skiing again! 

Yvona is very excited to embark on her journey with Early Light Academy and, in collaboration with other teachers and staff members, enable her students to accomplish their full potential.

Ashlie Hatton is happily married to her husband and has a beautiful daughter. She was born and raised in Utah and has lived there most of her life, but had the chance to live in Japan and Virginia. While in Virginia, she played colligate softball as a catcher. Mrs. Hatton recently graduated college from Brigham Young University with her degree in special education and has completed all of the required classes for her special education secondary math endorsement. 

Mrs. Hatton enjoys playing the piano, speaking Japanese, drawing, painting, hiking, camping and playing board games. Ashlie continues to look forward to helping children succeed, learn and grow. 

Jacob Richards, born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he studied elementary and special education at Indiana University and was the captain of his bike team. During the summers he worked as an intern at a bike shop in Ogden, Utah. While living in Ogden for 5 summers, Jacob fell in love with the mountains which led him to start his career in Utah. Jacob started his career in Ogden where he taught in a Moderate Special Education classroom for two years. After moving to Millcreek at the start of the summer, Jacob's search for a new position led him to Early Light Academy. 

When not in the classroom, you can find Jacob riding his bike, skiing, climbing, or traveling to races around the world. 

Elizabeth was born in the panhandle of Texas and spent most of her life in Western Oklahoma where she began her teaching career.  She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma University with a dual major in Learning Disabilities and Mentally Handicapped. She spent some years in Texas teaching as well.  She moved to Arizona in 2004 and spent time in Tucson and Phoenix.  She moved with her family to Mexico and taught in Southern Arizona crossing the border daily.  She recently moved to Salt Lake City to be with her adult children.  

She loves teaching special education.  That is truly her passion in life.  When she isn't working she loves to spend time with her family, reading and being with her animals.  

Elizabeth is so happy to begin a new journey at Early Light and is looking forward to a great year.

In November 2020, Felicia returned to Utah after living 25 years in New York City.  She moved out east to attend Columbia University where she received her Master’s in Social Work.  She later received her Master’s in Elementary Education from CUNY Hunter College, where she then proceeded to teach grades Pre-K through 6th over the next 20 years.  

While living in New York City, Felicia was an avid member of the community.  She was an active participant in the New York Cares program, team leading and participating in a number of volunteer projects, working primarily with the senior and homeless populations.  She also was involved in the Star Learning Program, mentoring a young lady from Honduras from 5th grade to her graduation from high school. 

An avid reader, Felicia created and facilitated a book group in New York City that ran for over ten years.  In her spare time she also enjoys knitting, walking and eating anything chocolate!

Felicia loves working in the special education department at Early Light Academy.  

Jyoti Bhakta moved here to Utah two years ago, she lives in Herriman. She has joined our ELA family and is very excited. HEr hobbies are watching movies and spending time with her family.

Madison Hill currently has a degree in Criminal Justice and is now pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. She realized she loved working with children as a swim instructor and felt how rewarding working with children was. She loves watching a movie with her family and playing with her dogs.

Berneen Peterson was raised on a dairy farm in the small town of Tridell, Utah, where she worked and played hard. She credits her love of learning to her 6th grade teacher, Mr. McMullin, who instilled in his students self-worth and confidence and made school fun and interesting. After graduating from Unitah High, Berneen attended Ricks College (BYU Idaho) majoring in Elementary Education. She is married and has three children. As a family, they enjoy camping, hiking, and just being together.

For the past twelve years she has assisted in special education programs in the area. She enjoys working with children and finds joy in watching them learn, progress, and succeed. Berneen is honored and excited to be a part of the Early Light Academy Special Education Team.

Mrs. Harris is very excited to be working at Early Light Academy!  She grew up in the Amazon rain forest in Peru and she has lived in the U.S. for 15 years and loves Utah.  She taught Kindergarten in Peru for 7 years and loves working with kids. She spends her free time with her Husband and two sons.  They like to go camping, hiking and spend time together.  Mrs. Harris loves to dance and work out.  She recently completed her long time goal by graduating from Salt Lake Community College with a degree in Education.  

JD (Coach) Durrant has many passions, but her greatest passion is her 4 children. She is also very passionate about working with children and youth. She has worked in the Special Education field for schools for over 11 years. She wants the students she works with to know that they can do anything they set their mind, and she will be there to support, encourage, and cheer them on. 

JD is a non-denominational pastor where she works with the youth and supports them in various areas of life. She is also a softball coach with many wins both on and off the field. JD loves the San Francisco 49ers, which is how her dog got his name "Niner." 

JD truly loves supporting, helping, and encouraging children and youth and is so excited to continue to work with the students at Early Light Academy.

Lacey Ainsworth (Miss Lacey as her students call her) is a mom to 3 crazy girls who all attend Early Light Academy, and is lovingly married to her husband Clint. She has a passion, some say an addiction, for house plants. She loves being both out in nature or curled up with her family at home.

She is so excited to be working at Early Light Academy and can’t wait to get to know all of your students!

Cicilee Johnson, a Utah native, has lived up and down the Wasatch Front. She now calls South Jordan home with her husband and four kids. Cicilee studied at Snow College and worked in real estate investment before she became a mother. 

For the past 14 years she has raised her four kids ages 14, 13, 10, 7, all of which attend Early Light Academy. When they aren’t in school, Cicilee loves to go camping and boating with her family. She also enjoys traveling, hiking and DIY remodeling projects.

Mandy McMullen was born and raised in Missoula, Montana until she graduated High School. Mandy met her husband Eric and moved to Phoenix, AZ and raised her 5 children who are now 24, 22, 21, 18 and 6. Her daughter Harper who is 6 attends Early Light Academy.

In her free time Mandy loves to go camping and spend time with her family.

Tiffany grew up in Sandy and is the oldest of 6. She attended the University of Utah and studied Exercise and Sports Science. She has been married to her best friend for 19 years and has 3 beautiful children. She loves to exercise, cook, read, hike, kayak, travel, go to Jazz games, and hang out with her family.

She has many years' experience taking care of her mom with dementia, as well as working in her kids' classrooms and being a room parent. She enjoys helping people and is looking forward to working with the kids with special needs this year at ELA.

Megan grew up in Alaska, met her sweetheart at BYU, and together they moved to Alberta.  She received her Bachelor of Music from University of Lethbridge, and has been teaching violin lessons to kids of all ages and stages ever since.  

Megan loves to spend time with her family.  She and her husband have 3 children (ages 20, 17, and 10), a golden retriever named Denali, and a Siberian cat named Luna.  At home she likes to sew, read, and watch movies.

For 8 years Megan has had kids at ELA, and they love the great environment at the school.  This year she is looking forward to joining the team and working in the special education program.      

Taylor Drury grew up in Huntington Beach, California and moved to Herriman, Utah about 10 years ago. Taylor is newly married to her high school sweetheart. After high school she furthered her education attending Southern Utah University and Salt Lake Community to obtain her Associates Degree. She thrives off of her friendships with her colleagues and being fulfilled with working with students that inspire her daily. 

In Taylor’s free time she enjoys going out and spending time with her family. She loves the outdoors, games, and reading. Taylor wants the students she works with to thrive, and know that she is a safe place for them at school.

Halle Tucker grew up in Riverton Utah and is no stranger to Early Light Academy. She began 4th grade for ELA’s opening year in 2009, she then completed school here until she was in 9th grade. Halle went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Brigham Young University where she also was a member of BYU’s International Folk Dance Ensemble. 

Halle has worked with children and teenagers in many capacities including helping run workshops and leadership camps with the Ivy Girl Academy Foundation focusing on personal leadership and confidence. Halle enjoys helping teenagers realize their own self confidence and personal power in and outside of the classroom. 

Deborah Cawley lives in Riverton Utah. She is the mother of nine children who have all attended Early Light Academy. Deborah has grown to love and appreciate the amazing team that makes up Early Light Academy and is excited to engage with the staff and students. Deborah has always had an interest in child growth and development and enjoys working with children.

Deborah completed her Associates Degree at Mohave Community College where she also served as part of the student body government. While she was completing her degree she volunteered at a nearby elementary school and high school assisting teachers with students that needed one on one help. She also completed courses at Hawthorn University and received certificates in Neurological Development.

Deborah enjoys cooking and preserving food from the garden. She loves nature, long walks, reading and family gatherings.

Maria grew up in a multicultural family having a nomadic life, living in a few countries and quite a few cities. Maria recently moved back to Utah from Arizona and joined the ELA family/Team. 

You can often find Maria snowboarding ,camping, hiking, cooking, doing art, having fun with her 2 amazing girls, and the cutest rescued cats Romeo and Pedro.

Janna grew up in Ohio and moved to the family ranch in Wyoming when she was in High School. She attended BYU-Provo and University of Wyoming studying speech-language pathology. She have been a Speech-Language Pathologist for the past 8+ years working with children ages 2-18. She has previously worked in preschools, elementary schools, and private clinics.  She loves helping students learn to communicate and engage in their school environment!

While Janna isn't working, she loves spending time with her family! She also enjoy playing piano, painting, reading, game nights, and playing pickleball. 

Kaycee graduated from Utah State University in 2023 with her bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education. She has greatly enjoyed working with children in the past as a dance instructor and preschool teacher, and is excited for her first year at ELA. 

Kaycee currently lives in Spanish Fork with her husband of four years. Together they enjoy traveling, playing with their Aussiedoodle, camping, paddleboarding, going to local concerts, and watching The Office. Kaycee also likes to craft, complete jigsaw puzzles, or curl up with a good book during her spare time. 

Stacey Richey has been a school based Speech Language Pathologist for 12 years. She has previously worked in the Alpine and Nebo School districts. 

While she was in the schools, she worked with PK-6th grades including small group PK and kindergarten special education units, and autism units (1st-3rd and 4th-6th).

Stacey has an additional certification in gestalt language processing and neurodiverse-affirming speech therapy practices.

When she isn't doing speech therapy, she loves reading young adult novels, baking, completing jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her husband and 7 year old daughter.

Originally from Montana, Jena earned her Masters degree from Colorado State University in 2006. She has experience in out patient pediatrics, rural hospital, travel OT, adaptive recreation, and most recently, Orthopedics in the Acute Care setting. Jena loves every minute of time spent outside with her family, and is looking forward to building relationships with the staff, families, and students at ELA.

Tina was born and raised in Utah and has been and Occupational Therapy Assistant for the past 7 years in a Transitional Rehab working with the Elderly. Tina is excited to start a new chapter with pediatrics in the school system! Tina’s oldest daughter has special needs so she is very familiar with therapy and having kids strive to be the best with OT! I can’t wait to have “fun” with the kids... sheeesh don’t tell them it’s therapy.  

Kristie grew up in Utah and lives in SLC with her husband and two sons. Kristie has experience working in the medical field in many different positions, deciding to study Occupational Therapy after seeing quality of life improve for patients in her work setting. 

Kristie loves working at ELA and helping students to reach their goals in school!

Jennifer Calcut  is a Licensed School Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, TBRI Practitioner and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional  She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, Masters of Science, in Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation, Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology with a Clinical and School Psychology emphasis.  She also has her Level 2 Special Education Teaching License with a Mild Moderate Endorsement. 

 Jennifer is clinically trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy, (ART), Trust Based Relationship Intervention Practitioner (TBRI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Social Skills Training, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Theraplay.

 She is a member of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) an association that works with court involved families in both the juvenile and district courts.  

 She is a member of International Association of Trauma Professionals, National Education Association, and Utah Education Association.

 She works in charter schools throughout Utah providing support to children, teachers, and families with a wide variety of educational and behavioral needs.

 She has a vast array of knowledge in working with children and adults with trauma, disabilities, and a wide variety of mental health needs.  She is very knowledgeable and fluent in psychological, neuropsychological and academic assessments.  She is able to determine classifications under IDEA for autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, other health impairment and emotional disturbance. 

 Jennifer has provided expert witness testimony in many court proceedings regarding trauma and its impact on children and families.

 Jennifer is forensically trained in interviewing children and spent her early years in her career as a social worker and providing case management services to families with a wide variety of needs.

 She is a founding board member and assisted in starting the non-profit Police Wives of Utah.  To provide support to law enforcement families across the state of Utah.

 Jennifer enjoys working in schools and the private sector.  She has provided training to allied agencies on trauma, attachment, sensory processing disorders, mindfulness, behavioral concerns in children, and parenting techniques.  She brings extensive skills to Early Light Academy and has a wonderful working relationship with a wide variety of community partners and other mental health agencies.

Sara attended Weber State University for her undergraduate degree in Social Work and Boise State University for her Master's in Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has worked with at-risk youth and families for 27 years.

Sara is trained in different modalities including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Motivational Interviewing, TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention), and TF-CBT (Trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy).

Jasmine is a dedicated doctoral-level school psychology intern at the Neurobehavioral Center for Growth. Currently pursuing her studies at the University of Texas at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, Jasmine has gained extensive experience through her work with various clinics and school districts. Her expertise lies in conducting comprehensive psychological evaluations and offering mental health support.