Meet Our Team

Meet Our Elementary School Team

Our elementary team has years of experience in online teaching and can’t wait to provide instruction and support to help your child succeed.

Elementary Administration

Angie Kreitzer | K–8 Principal photo

Angie Kreitzer | K–8 Principal

Mrs. Kreitzer earned her bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Utah State University. She is a former fourth grade teacher where she innovatively integrated technology into her classroom. Mrs. Kreitzer joined the UTVA team in 2008. She brings experience as a teacher, lead teacher, and title family and student engagement coordinator. She possesses a strong appreciation for school choice and enthusiasm for partnering with parents to facilitate enjoyable, effective schooling for children here in Utah.


Lacey Robinson | K–8 Admin & Lead Teacher photo

Lacey Robinson | K–8 Admin & Lead Teacher

Mrs. Robinson joined the UTVA team in 2013. She has experience as a mentor, 3rd grade math teacher, math interventionist, and 5th grade language arts teacher. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education, with a minor in English as a second language from Dixie State University. Mrs. Robinson is passionate about helping other teachers become the very best so they, in turn, can focus on supporting students. She was an amateur boxer in college!


Jessica Brown | K–8 Admin & Lead Teacher photo

Jessica Brown | K–8 Admin & Lead Teacher

Mrs. Brown joined the UTVA team in 2012. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood. She loves the connections she makes with the students and parent learning coaches at UTVA and sees the value online education provides students. Mrs. Brown believes every individual student is unique and can benefit significantly from the online learning environment.


Kindergarten

Holly White | K–1 Special Education Teacher photo

Holly White | K–1 Special Education Teacher

Ms. White joined the UTVA team in 2016 and has more than 12 years of special education experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in child development from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in family services and special education. Ms. White also holds certificates in early childhood development and mild/moderate special education teaching for grades K–12. She loves working with her students face to face and helping build their love and excitement for learning. All from the comfort of their own homes!


Tiffany Brown | Kindergarten Teacher photo

Tiffany Brown | Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Brown joined the UTVA team in 2018. She earned a bachelor ‘s in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood education from Southern Utah University. Growing up, her dream goal was to teach kindergarten, and she is thrilled that it’s now a reality!


Grade 1

Holly White | K–1 Special Education Teacher photo

Holly White | K–1 Special Education Teacher

Ms. White joined the UTVA team in 2016 and has more than 12 years of special education experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in child development from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in family services and special education. Ms. White also holds certificates in early childhood development and mild/moderate special education teaching for grades K–12. She loves working with her students face to face and helping build their love and excitement for learning. All from the comfort of their own homes!


Grade 2

Celeste Hunter-Chavez | 2nd–3rd Grade Special Education Teacher photo

Celeste Hunter-Chavez | 2nd–3rd Grade Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Hunter-Chavez joined the UTVA team in 2013 and has more than 15 years of experience in education and community service. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University and a teaching certificate from Utah State University. Mrs. Hunter-Chavez loves the flexibility of teaching in a virtual environment and having immediate access to tools that benefit her students. In her spare time, she writes, records, and performs music professionally


Emily Griffin | 2nd Grade Teacher photo

Emily Griffin | 2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Griffin joined the UTVA team in 2009. She has 17 years of teaching experience, with 14 of those years being in second grade. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and has an elementary math endorsement. Mrs. Griffin feels online learning gives students a safe learning environment with access to exceptional curriculum, teachers, administrators, and peers.


Grade 3

Paula Finlinson | 3rd Grade Math Teacher photo

Paula Finlinson | 3rd Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Finlinson joined the UTVA team in 2015 and loves being a teacher in the virtual learning community. She earned her bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Dixie State University with an English as a second language endorsement. Ms. Finlinson has taught numerous grades, including 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. She believes online learning gives students the unique ability to gain academic knowledge while allowing their parents/guardians to be a big part of the learning process.


Shayla Miller | 2nd Grade English Language Arts and 3rd Grade Special Education Teacher photo

Shayla Miller | 2nd Grade English Language Arts and 3rd Grade Special Education Teacher

Ms. Miller joined the UTVA team in 2017. She grew up with ten siblings in her blended family and has always loved teaching and tutoring her siblings. Ms. Miller received her bachelor ‘s in elementary education with an English as a second language endorsement from Dixie State University in 2015. She received her master ‘s in special education in 2018. She absolutely loves teaching 2nd grade ELA and 3rd grade special education!


Teri Griffin | 2nd and 3rd Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Mrs. Griffin joined the UTVA team in 2017. She has taught in the elementary school level for seven years. Mrs. Griffin earned her bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Utah State University. Following graduation, she taught English for five months in China to children of all ages. Mrs. Griffin believes online learning is a great opportunity for students because it allows them to learn in a way they are most comfortable with, given their specific situations.


Grade 4

Melanie Weight | 4th Grade English Language Arts Teacher photo

Melanie Weight | 4th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Weight joined the UTVA team in 2017 and has more than 11 years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education and English as a second language endorsement. Mrs. Weight loves hearing that so many of her students are happy to be at UTVA. More than anything, they appreciate the safe environment and feel included.


Sarah Andersen | 4th Grade Teacher photo

Sarah Andersen | 4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Anderson joined the UTVA team in 2015. She has taught 4th grade since 2008 and loves working with students in this age range. Mrs. Anderson earned her bachelor ‘s degree from Brigham Young University. She enjoys interacting with students in a way that helps them feel successful and builds their confidence levels. She is incredibly proud that so many of her students have gained a love for math. While it was difficult for them initially, they have grown to appreciate and understand math better.


Grade 5

Amy Rasmussen | 5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Amy Rasmussen | 5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Mrs. Rasmussen has been teaching for 10 years and joined the UTVA team in 2013. She graduated from Snow College then received her bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Utah Valley University, with an early childhood license. Mrs. Rasmussen believes online learning helps students feel comfortable and confident with their education. Many of her students thrive in the online environment.


Julie Morales | 5th Grade Teacher photo

Julie Morales | 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Morales grew up in Murray but has lived in St. George for 17 years. She graduated from Dixie State University with a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education and an ESL endorsement. Mrs. Morales taught 4th grade in the classroom for four years and has been on the elementary team with Utah Virtual Academy for ten years. She enjoys helping students feel like they ‘re part of an online family and school community that they belong to.


Heidi Smith | 4th and 5th grade Special Education Language Arts Teacher photo

Heidi Smith | 4th and 5th grade Special Education Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Smith joined the UTVA team in 2012. She started her career in 2009 teaching in a split kindergarten and 1st grade classroom. Ms. Smith has bachelor ‘s degrees from Utah State University in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education.


Holly Davies | 5th grade Science Teacher photo

Holly Davies | 5th grade Science Teacher

Mrs. Davies joined the UTVA team in 2010. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, a gifted and talented endorsement from Utah State University, and a master ‘s of education from Southern Utah University. In addition to Utah, she has also lived in Florida, London, and the Fijian islands!


Interventionists

Kiely Dewey | K–2 Reading Interventionist photo

Kiely Dewey | K–2 Reading Interventionist

Mrs. Dewey joined the UTVA team in 2017 and has nine years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master ‘s in education from Westminster College. She is also a national board certified teacher in early and middle childhood literacy and holds endorsements in technology, ESL, and reading.


Mike Parkin | Elementary Math Interventionis photo

Mike Parkin | Elementary Math Interventionis

Mr. Parkin joined the UTVA in 2013. He earned a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations at the University of Utah and his teaching license through the USOE ARL program at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College. Mr. Parkin enjoys the opportunity to teach students from different parts of Utah in one single class. He likes to hear about the success of his students, who are also accomplished performers, gymnasts, bike racers, to name a few, while enrolled at UTVA.


Jenny Wilson | MTSS Coordinator photo

Jenny Wilson | MTSS Coordinator

Ms. Wilson joined the UTVA team in 2011 and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in education from Utah State University with an ESL endorsement. A recent proud moment for her was supporting students who were 3+ grade levels behind and utilizing the i-Ready program to bring them to grade-level proficiency by the end of the year.


Hayley McHam | 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade English Language Arts Interventionist photo

Hayley McHam | 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade English Language Arts Interventionist

Ms. McHam joined the UTVA team in 2018. She has more than nine years of teaching experience. Ms. McHam earned her bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education from Utah State University in 2009. She enjoys helping students progress in their reading skills and seeing their smiling faces in the Zoom classroom


Becca Jeppson | Elementary School Interventionist photo

Becca Jeppson | Elementary School Interventionist

After graduating from Utah State University in 2011, Mrs. Jeppson began her career teaching 1st grade in Smithfield, UT. After two years at a brick-and-mortar school, she was recruited to UTVA and has loved teaching at this school ever since. Mrs. Jeppson is most passionate about early childhood education and has her ECC endorsement from SUU. She recently went back to Utah State to work on her MEd in instructional technology and learning sciences with the hope of sharpening her teaching skills and improving her students ‘ learning experiences in the online environment.


Self-Contained

Carol Olson | K–8 Severe Special Education Math Teacher

Carol Olson | K–8 Severe Special Education Math Teacher

Ms. Olson joined the UTVA team in 2014. She has more than 10 years of experience in education and community service. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in K–12 special education from Weber State University with an emphasis in ESL. Mrs. Olson likes teaching students with various learning styles and individualizing their learning experience in a non-threatening environment. She maintains a sanctuary in her house for exotic animals.


Joni Howe | K–8 Reading and Writing Teacher

Joni Howe | K–8 Reading and Writing Teacher

Ms. Howe joined the UTVA team in 2014 and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor ‘s degree in elementary education and special education from Southern Utah University and a master ‘s degree in special education from California Lutheran University. Mrs. Howe enjoys the flexibility an online school provides, especially for students who are struggling with behavioral and anxiety issues.


Holly Davies | 5th grade Science Teacher photo

Holly Davies | Advanced Learner Program (ALP) Coordinator and 5th Grade Science Teacher

Mrs. Davies joined the UTVA team in 2010. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, a gifted and talented endorsement from Utah State University, and Master of Education degree from Southern Utah University. In addition to Utah, she has also lived in Florida, London, and the Fijian islands!