Melissa
I have a degree in Elementary Education and taught 5th grade in a traditional class setting for several years. I then got the opportunity to move to Maui and run my own business for 6 years. Wanting to be closer to familial support and better educational resources, we moved back to Utah where I worked with districts on recruiting and managing substitutes. Worrying about my son's educational future, I debated on homeschooling but then had the wonderful opportunity and support to build and open a school that encourages and nourishes a child's true potential.
Tami
My name is Tami Oleson. I am the wife of an amazing retired special forces helicopter pilot and the mother of four incredible kids. My family has had the chance to live all over our great nation for the last 24 years serving in the Army. I love reading history, traveling, and spending time with my family.
I have an Elementary teaching degree from Western Governors University and have been teaching for the last seventeen years. I am passionate about creating an environment where students love to learn and a classroom community where they want to be. My goal is to instill a love of learning in each child through exciting lessons. I can’t wait to meet my new students!!!
Stephen
I heard a story once of a man who announced the completion of a new hospital facility by making the statement that the multi-million-dollar building would be all worth it if it “saved one child.” A man from the audience approached him concluding the announcement and asked if he hadn’t overstated the worth of the building. The man responded with, “Not if that child was mine.”
Together, my wife and I have eight children. Seven of which are still living in their own productive ways across the nation. Our twenty-two grandchildren (ages 0-21) who remind us every day how important the basic principles that determine our tranquil societal evolution are of paramount significance now, more than ever before in our civilizations’ history.
I achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Organizational Administration. I had the privilege to be a teacher in a private education setting for 32 years, which over a third of those years were spent in an administrative role. While enjoying life in multiple recreational activities, community and family events, and exploring our worlds natural beauties, my educational passion is witnessing children engage in, and be lifted by, their individual and collective enlightenment experiences. There are few experiences in my life that exceed the joy of experiencing when a child’s “light goes on” in the accumulation of information coming to the culmination of recognizing basic principles of truth to live their life by.
Megan
I have lived in Utah for the last 24 years, since moving to Park City after college to be a nanny. I graduated from California State University, Chico, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Child Development minor. I taught preschool for a few years and then went back to school to get a master's degree in Elementary Education. I taught in traditional first and third grade classrooms and then worked as a paraprofessional part time when my kids were young.
Eventually, I took a different path and became a Victim Advocate for Summit County, where I worked for more than 8 years. As a victim advocate, I also had the opportunity to work with Peace House, teaching child abuse prevention education in elementary and middle schools in Summit and Wasatch counties.
I have had the privilege of raising my 2 kids in the Kamas Valley. I enjoy hiking with my dog, gardening, and watching my kids compete in soccer games, bike races, and triathlons.
I look forward to being back in an elementary classroom and helping children learn, discover, and have "aha!" moments.
Annie
I first stumbled upon Montessori after finishing my Masters of Science in the Psychology of Individual Differences. I began to search for a way to combine my experience in research with my passion for tutoring and teaching. The more I learned about the Montessori method of individualized education and discovery based learning, the more I wanted to be a part of it.
For the past two years, I have lived in Idaho and taught in a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom. I love the creative questions that students surprise me with and sharing in the joy of discovery. As a teacher, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue helping students develop a lifelong love of learning.
During my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I lived in Scotland and studied at the University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh. I returned to the west coast of the United States to be nearer to my family. My three sisters and I are incredibly close.
I love the outdoors and experiencing nature. I am thrilled to be moving to the Wasatch Range to live and work in such a beautiful, peaceful environment.
Kaitlin
I graduated from BYU with a BA in Art Education and a minor in Art History and Curatorial Studies. I have always loved art and working with children. I want to inspire children to be creative agents and to explore their creativity when it is most abundant in their lives; as children! I love visiting museums, especially art and children's museums. I was never very good at history or social studies in school, but when I got to take an art history class in high school I found a new passion for the past! When preparing my art curriculum, I love to reference art history and share my passion with students. I am always blown away with children's willingness to learn and try new things in the art classroom. I am excited to not only be the art guide at Rising Heights Academy, but I will also be an assistant guide! I am so excited to get to know all my students for this up coming and future school years.
I spent this last year at Growing Light Montessori learning all about the Montessori way of learning. I never knew about this until after I graduated college but I am sure glad I found it! Having been in a pubic school for a short time with my student teaching, I felt that there had to be a better way of teaching. I learned about Montessori schools as I started applying for jobs and fell in love instantly. I hope to continue to learn about Montessori as I further my teaching career.
Outside of the classroom, I am a wife and a relatively new resident to Midway. I am enjoying the rich history of Midway and the wonderful community. I enjoy yoga and practicing mindfulness to help keep my sometimes chaotic life under control. I also enjoy reading and you can often find me curled up with a good book.
I am so excited to be joining the Rising Heights Academy staff. This school will be such a blessing to me and our community.
Diane
I would say my greatest accomplishment is raising seven children and remaining somewhat sane. After being a full-time domestic engineer for twenty-five years, divorce forced me into the work force. Because of my love for the Montessori concepts and knowing there were better alternatives to public school I started training to be a Montessori teacher. After nine months, I was frustrated with the rigidness of the school and the focus on income instead of the children. My disappointment led me to think maybe I needed more adult interaction for awhile. Since I have always been interested in health, nutrition and alternative healing I decided to get my massage therapy license. I loved doing massage and making people feel better physically and emotionally. After a few years of massage and other odd jobs, the strain on my physical body forced me to retire from that line of work.
I was hired 5 years ago at Growing Light Montessori and after just a few weeks, knew my greatest love was working with children. I am still there until the end of the school year. It has been a great experience and the ladies I work with are exceptional.
I am so excited to see Rising Heights Academy coming to our community, giving parents an alternative to public school and children more opportunity to focus on their interests. I feel it a privilege to be a part of it!
Sam
Hello parents and students! My name is Samuel Robison. I grew up in Payson, Utah, where I spent my childhood reading books about animals and going on adventures in the surrounding mountains.
After I graduated high school, I joined the U.S. Army National Guard and spent two years training on bases in California, Missouri, and Arizona. Now I live in Heber City.
I looked up to so many teachers I had in school, including my father, who was a teacher and administrator at the school I attended for most of my youth. I have always loved working with children and was so excited when I was accepted on as an assistant guide for Rising Heights.
I look forward to helping guide our amazing students down a path where they can grow independently and develop a love of learning. I am already amazed by the intelligence and creativity that the youth have here.