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.
Maridee Swensen Killian:
Science, Business Math
Sister Killian was raised in the Air Force and traveled quite extensively when she was young, living in many parts of the US, Europe and Asia. (She moved 13 times in 14 years!) She studied in Israel on a scholarship through BYU in 1978. In 1982 she served a mission in Vienna, Austria. A BYU graduate, she earned her BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology. After teaching school for two years, she married and temporarily withdrew from school teaching and opted for homeschooling her six children. Now, with three children still at home, Sister Killian and her daughters have joined the ranks of Liahona Preparatory Academy.
Tiana Deceuster:
5th/6th Grade, Math 5/4, Math 6/5, Liahona Girls Basketball Coach
Sister Deceuster graduated from BYU in elementary education. She taught 4th grade in the Nebo School District before coming to Liahona and has tutored students in various age groups in high school and college. Sister Deceuster has worked at several summer day and sport camps with youth. Her husband, Ethan, is also in the elementary education program at BYU. She volunteers as a youth mentor for Utah County 4-H program, loves to read (historical fiction is favorite genre) and loves to play sports for fun.
Diana Gourley:
English
Sister Gourley teaches Intermediate English. After graduating suma cum laude from Utah Valley University, she taught 8th grade Language Arts and was an adjunct instructor of Advanced Critical Thinking and Reading at Utah Valley University. Because of her unique background, Sister Gourley is not only skilled in helping students read and comprehend difficult informational texts but is also skilled in bringing literature to life, so students can make meaningful connections to it. She believes a student's ability to make these connections directly influences their ability to create engaging prose that will speak to the heart of the reader. Sister Gourley has won several local and state awards for her writing.
Amy Hartley:
Science, Health, Technical Math
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.
Joe Pratt:
World History, Geometry, Algebra II, Calculus
Matt Woolley:
Geometry
Brother Woolley loves teaching and interacting with all the students. Brother Woolley served in the Air Force as a Korean and Mandarin Chinese linguist and was the ONLY linguist in the Air Force at the time to score in the 95th percentile for language proficiency in 2 of the 4 most difficult ranked languages in the world. After serving in the military he attended Brigham Young University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a double minor in Chinese and economics. He then attended Boston University to get his law degree. He began his legal career as a corporate tax consultant for two of the Big 4 accounting firms, and has specialized in business and tax law for almost 10 years. However, he is LOVING teaching and is considering a change to his career path. Brother & Sister Woolley have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of 3 boys and 2 girls. In his spare time Brother Woolley likes to (yes) play video games, he is a music and film buff, and loves to participate in community musical theatre. He was a member of the Men’s Choir at BYU and played an apostle in a recent production of Savior of the World.
Annette Durfee:
Elemenatry Algebra, 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 in her math lessons.
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 and one of the friendly voices you hear when you call in. She also handles tuition and other student-related payments.
Kelli Stowers:
Questions about Liahona? Questions about report cards? Want to visit the school? Wondering if you are on track for graduation? Call Sister Stowers. Accreditation issues, Grades and Accreditation Counseling appointments are among her many duties.
Joanne Smith:
Sister Smith heads up Liahona's Finance Department. Contact her regarding Carson Smith or Children's First scholarship info or other financial issues.
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.