Trust the Expertise of Utah's Best Teachers

Our teachers are among the best in the state for distance learning. They consider themselves your partners in your children's education and are available every school day to help you and your children through any challenges you may face.

Parents have the right to request and receive information from the Utah Virtual Academy administration concerning the qualifications of their children's teachers. (§1111(h)(6)(A))

Partner with Teachers Who Share Your Passion for Education

Although parents play the leading role in day-to-day lesson delivery, assessments, and time management for the K–8 program (and less for high school), parents are never alone in the education process. In fact, they interact with teachers on a regular basis, learning to navigate teaching techniques, pacing issues, comprehension challenges, positive reinforcement techniques, and other facets of the instruction experience.

Expect Your Teacher to Offer Consistent Support

You can be sure that support from your teacher is there, whenever you need it. In fact, you can expect to interact with your teacher on a regular basis during:

• Monthly progress meetings
• Parent/teacher workshops
• Teacher-guided outings

The role of our teachers is primarily to make your children's education as successful as it can be. Teachers are available each day to answer questions, address issues, and provide support. If they can't respond immediately, they usually respond with a call or e-mail within 24 hours.

Meet our Teachers

Felicia Gomez Booth is passionate about students achieving academic success. Her years of classroom and administrative experience give her an exceptionally well-rounded perspective, whether she is working with classroom teachers or administrators. Her commitment to bringing sound educational practices to school-age children guides and reinforces her natural teaching and leadership abilities. Felicia earned her early childhood/elementary degree from the University of Utah. Following an internship with the Salt Lake School District, she taught in inner-city bilingual schools. During this time, she was an adjunct professor for the University of Utah's student teaching program. Felicia was a director of a federal child nutrition grant, and recently she has worked as an academic director implementing and supervising elementary programs in Utah charter schools. Whether implementing curriculum, authoring Core Knowledge Sequence units, mentoring teachers, or instructing in a classroom, Felicia is always committed to her educational ideals. She is a certified direct instruction consultant and is an experienced direct instruction teacher, coach, and administrator. With three boys who have attended public schools, charter schools, and home school and personal experience with special needs children, Felicia is a strong advocate for student and parental choice and responsibility in education.

Mary Dangerfield is in her fourth year of teaching. She is passionate about reaching the needs of gifted and talented students and is in the process of obtaining her endorsement in that area. A graduate of Brigham Young University, she has most of her experience in second grade but has worked with students from all grades K–8. Mary is full of energy and takes pride in making even the most trivial assignment seem fun, useful and engaging for her students.

Shannon Eves is entering her 6th year of teaching and her 3rd year with UTVA. She loves teaching and feels privileged to be on the forefront of this monumental movement in virtual education. After graduating from high school in 2000, Shannon attended Dixie State college where she earned her Associate's Degree. After graduating from Dixie State, she continued to Southern Utah University. While attending Southern Utah University, Shannon was selected by the education department to be the recipient of the Teacher of Tomorrow award. Shannon was also a nominee for the Pestalozzi Award for outstanding performance in the Elementary Education program. During her first years of teaching at Three Falls Elementary, Shannon earned her ESL endorsement and was appointed team leader for the 5th grade team. Shannon's favorite subjects to teach are math and science. Shannon loves working with the faculty, staff, parents and students of Utah Virtual Academy and she is excited to be involved in this incredible opportunity.

Kristin S. Hilman has a master's degree in secondary education from Utah State University and a bachelor's degree in history and sociology from the University of Utah. She has been a professional educator for 13 years at various Salt Lake-area schools, from junior high to high school to college, serving in instructional, advisor, and student services roles. In addition to her education and experience, Kristin has traveled to 17 countries, which allows her to bring firsthand accounts to her geography and history classes. She lives in West Jordan with her husband and two children.

Stacey Hutchings is a third-generation teacher. She says that teaching is in her blood! She earned her B.A. in teaching at Brigham Young University and her M.Ed from the University of Utah. Before coming to K¹², her teaching experience included four years in a private school and three years in public schools. She believes that the K¹² curriculum is the best there is, and she loves that Utah Virtual Academy allows her to work with parents and children to ensure that students receive the best education possible.

Nicole Keller comes to UTVA with three years of experience teaching Spanish in brick-and-mortar schools in Nevada and Utah. She became fluent in Spanish while she was living in southern Chile for 18 months, and received an associate degree in computer information and technologies from LDS Business College and a bachelor's degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in choral music from Brigham Young University – Idaho. She is very excited to start working in a virtual environment.

Angie Kreitzer completed her bachelor's degree at Utah State University with a Minor in Vocal Performance. She is a former 4th grade teacher where she innovatively integrated technology into her classroom. She has been with Utah Virtual Academy from its start up and is going into her 3rd year of teaching as the K5 Lead Teacher. She is in the process of continuing her education by pursuing a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Angie brings to our school a love of school choice and an enthusiasm for partnering with parents to facilitate enjoyable, effective schooling for children here in Utah.

Josh Mordecai's passion for education began while he was teaching English as a service to elementary and high school students in the former Soviet Union in 1997. After returning to the United States, he received an academic scholarship to BYU and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Following that, he obtained a secondary educator license in political science and history from Utah Valley State College. Since then, Mr. Mordecai has taught a variety of subjects to students at various levels—from special education and at-risk to honors. He has taught world, U.S. and Utah history, government, geography, psychology and current events to junior high and high school students at public, charter and private schools. Most recently, he was a teacher and student advisor at a school for troubled youth. He is passionate about motivating students to reach their potential and develop a life-long love for learning.

Angie Walker, UTVA High School English teacher, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Weber State University. She taught for three years at Farmington Jr. High school, volunteered as a reading tutor, and worked as a mentor for the Upward Bound program through Weber State University. Angie is excited to be on the staff at Utah Virtual Academy.