About Our Teachers
The teachers at Liahona are some of the finest to be found in any educational system. Our teachers are passionate about including gospel truth along with their academic subjects. They are excited about learning and impart that attitude to their students. They believe that learning can be fun as well as educational, and at Liahona, it is!
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 University and BYU-Idaho online. She was voted the most inspirational teacher at BYU-I on-line. She has published several professional articles and speaks five languages.
Erin Glines:
Intermediate English
Sister Glines has been teaching eighth grade English for the past seven years. She is very passionate about providing students with a quality, gospel-centered education. Sister Glines feels that being a great teacher goes far beyond what can be learned from books. Her goal is to have students leave her class feeling confident and inspired to reach their full potential. All of her students should gain a polished set of skills, a greater understanding of the world in general, and a strong sense of their responsibility to be contributing, spiritual citizens in our society.
Eric Hippen:
Science, Business Math
Brother Hippen is an engineer by trade. He has spent the last 10 years traveling all across the country teaching and mentoring people in business and investments. He has traveled the world and helped to design and build cruise ships and computer systems. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has written investment and creative financing manuals in Spanish. In 2011 he helped to organize and conduct three of the largest Cash Flow games in the world. He cares about his students' success in life, not just in school. He knows that the gospel will always be a critical part of that success.
Amy Holm:
Science/Algebra II/Geometry
Amy recently graduated with honors from BYU with a B.S. Degree in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Some of her skills and achievements include: helping to tutor the entire BYU baseball team and getting highest test scores since they have been a team! The more Amy learns about science the more her faith in her Heavenly Father grows.
Deborah Rowley:
Junior Teacher
Deborah Rowley graduated from BYU in English Education. She taught public school for 4 years before leaving to raise and occasionally homeschool her own 5 children. She loves to teach, read, and write and is the author of 7 books including; White Shirts, White Dresses, and Before They Turn Twelve - Teaching Our Children to Live the Lord's Standards.
Janae Hakes:
Carson-Smith Testing Coordinator
Sister Hakes comes to us as a parent of children that attend Liahona. She has a unique perspective of the Carson-Smith program and what its potential can be. She used to work in early intervention for Kids on the Move and has been involved with National Association for Child Development. Sister Hakes has worked in special education and with special needs for the past 16 years! She has instituted several outstanding projects here at Liahona, for example; the after school tutors. This is where she has enlisted the aide of several BYU students to come and help any student with homework problems they may be facing. And she also instituted an after school elective class for homework which helps to teach students better study skills and habits. We are very excited to have Sister Hakes in this position and she has already done a phenomenal job!
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.
Jason Lloyd:
Advanced Math, Calculus
Brother Lloyd comes to us from BYU and has been a great teacher for advanced math classes. He is always willing to come in after or before school to help out any student that is struggling and has a very unique, down-to-earth style of teaching his classes. He cares about the success of his students and wants them all to be prepared to enter college.
Administration:
Our friendly office staff is knowledgeable about education and home school issues. They are happy to assist you in any way possible.
Sue Squire:
Questions about Liahona? Questions about report cards? Want to visit the school? Wondering if you are on track for graduation? Call Sister Squire. She is a mom of five and looks forward to many years here at Liahona.
Amy Hartley:
One of the friendly voices at Liahona's front desk to answer your questions. This is Sister Hartley's fifth year at Liahona and she loves getting to know all the families here.
Brandi Pacchiega:
Sister Pacchiega heads up Liahona's Finance Department. Contact her regarding tuition payments or other financial issues.
Kolleen DeGraff has a degree in Communications, and just recently earned her Master's Degree in Education Policy and Leadership. She 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.
Liahona conducts criminal background checks on teachers and staff.