Kindergarten Teachers
Mindy Averett
Kindergarten Teacher
Hi, I am Mrs. Averett. I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I have taught either Kindergarten or First Grade now for 5 years. I love teaching, it is my passion. I have lots of favorites, I love ice cream, rainbows, and snuggling up with a good book. I can play the piano and the fiddle. I grew up here in Utah, but lived in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for 15 years, and then I returned. I loved the lush green fields and forests in the east, but I missed the Mountains here in Utah. I am excited about beginning a new year and new adventures here at Wallace Stegner Academy.
Email: maverett@wsacharter.org
Kali Christie
Kindergarten Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
It’s a tie between Europe and Southern Utah.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I’m actually an introvert.
What are your favorite bands?
Pink Floyd. Lord Huron. Also, anything 80s pop.
What do you love about your job?
Making a positive difference in these kids’ lives.
Email: kchristie@wsacharter.org
Irla Gonzalas
Kindergarten Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Veracruz, Mexico
What is something we don’t know about you?
I love and collect pens (fountain pens, dip/nib pens).
What are your favorite bands?
Tenth Avenue North, for KING & COUNTRY, Skillet
What do you love about your job?
I love that I can make a difference in a child’s life.
Email: igonzalez@wsacharter.org
Jenn Guandique
Kindergarten
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Osaka, Japan
What is something we don’t know about you?
I don’t like beer.
What are your favorite bands?
I love Disney Music
What do you love about your job?
I love molding my students into decent creatures. 🙂
Email: jguandique@wsacharter.org
Betty Munoz
Kindergarten Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Mexico & Santa Monica beach.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I don’t like cutting one of my toe nails lol.
What are your favorite bands?
Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, I also enjoy listening to Frank Ocean, YG, Travis Scott, J.Cole, Miguel & Spanish.
What do you love about your job?
I love being around the little Kinders.
Email: bmunoz@wsacharter.org
1st Grade Teachers
Hannah Byers
First Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
I love taking cruises! On the last cruise I took, I hiked the Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. That was amazing! I also love NYC, Disneyland, and San Diego.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I believe Noel Gallagher is the greatest song writer of our generation. I followed Oasis on their last US tour before they disbanded. I recently traveled to see Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds in Las Vegas. It was incredible.
What are your favorite bands?
Oasis, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Liam Gallagher, Ryan Adams, Sparta, Minus the Bear, Far, Something Corporate, Silverchair, Brand New, and several others.
What do you love about your job?
I love the idea that I am impacting our future generation… hopefully for the better.
Email: hbyers@wsacharter.org
Constanza Chiatti
1st Grade Teacher
Herbert Lehman College, Bronx,New York
I wanted to be a teacher ever since I moved to the United States. Relocating from my country to a new one that was so different was a tough transition for me. I still remember the teachers that made my school days a little better and easier to manage.Those teachers had a huge positive impact in my life and I want to be to children what those teachers were for me, someone to lean on, support and guidance.
What I like about teaching at Wallace Stegner Academy is that we all support each other.Teachers help one an other when needed and administration is always encouraging the staff. I also like the structure we teach the students on every day basis. We inspire each student to be positive and to believe in themselves.They are can achieve anything they put their mind to.
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext. 127
Email: cchiatti@wsacharter.org
Anna Cooksey
First Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy
What is something we don’t know about you?
I was a college athlete.
What are your favorite bands?
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Something Corporate, Brand New, BØRNS, Guster
What do you love about your job?
I love forming positive relationships with students.
Email: acooksey@wsacharter.org
Sherrl Fairbourn
First Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Alaska and the Oregon coast
What is something we don’t know about you?
I competed at BlackPool on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team.
What are your favorite bands?
My favorite music usually comes from musicals.
What do you love about your job?
The people I work with and the chance to make a difference in a child’s life.
Email: sfairbourn@wsacharter.org
Isabel Guandique
First Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
California
What is something we don’t know about you?
I can gleek on command.
What are your favorite bands?
The small ones you put on your braces.
(In all seriousness, I like Il Divo)
What do you love about your job?
Working with Mrs. Cooksey!
Email: iguandique@wsacharter.org
Vanessa Hernandez
First Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
The beach ( my happy place)
What is something we don’t know about you?
I love to dance and cook. I am obsessed with Chopped from the food network.
What are your favorite bands?
Maroon 5, The Beatles, Savage Garden, Coldplay, Marc Anthony
What do you love about your job?
I love that I can be a part of making a difference in a child's life.
Email: vhernandez@wsacharter.org
Detza Zuniga
First Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Disneyland!! 🙂
What is something we don’t know about you?
I have moved houses 13 times since 2003.
What are your favorite bands?
Sabrina Claudio, 6lack, J. Cole.. among others.
What do you love about your job?
I love being able to learn from my coworkers and gain experience that will benefit my future.
Email: dzuniga@wsacharter.org
2nd Grade Teachers
Staunzie Best
Second Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere with my loved ones.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I have two rabbits, Ru and Bambi
What are your favorite bands?
Chillhop and Death Cab for Cutie
What do you love about your job?
I love learning from our wonderful teachers and seeing the children’s personalities emerge.
Email: sbest@wsacharter.org
Natale Bolen
Second Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
New Orleans is my favorite place to be!
What is something we don’t know about you?
I used to go spelunking in Arizona caves.
What are your favorite bands?
ABBA, Stone Temple Pilots, and Nina Simone
What do you love about your job?
I love building relationships with our students and coworkers.
Email: nbolen@wsacharter.org
Thalia Gomez
Second Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is South Lake Tahoe.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I don’t like dogs.
What are your favorite bands?
I love All Time Low and Nightwish.
What do you love about your job?
Something I love about my job is helping the teachers with the learning process.
Email: tgomez@wsacharter.org
Tara Gunderson
Second Grade Para
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Boston Massachusetts was by far my favorite place to visit so far.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I had my cosmetology license for 12 years and have a certification in front end suspension and alignment.
What are your favorite bands?
Anything classic rock.
What do you love about your job?
I love the kids. They make me happy.
Email: tgunderson@wsacharter.org
Rachel Powell
Second Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Coronado Beach
What is something we don’t know about you?
I play the cello.
What are your favorite bands?
Changes pretty often. Right now I am obsessed with Leon Bridges.
What do you love about your job?
I love the ‘ah ha’ moment when students learn something new.
Email: rpowell@wsacharter.org
Christine Ranft, MS
2nd Grade Teacher
College:
Florida State University
Master of Science
Curriculum and Instruction
Why I became a teacher:
I chose to become a teacher because I wanted to make a difference. I want to be the teacher that students remember. I want school to be fun and educational. I want students to know that they can learn from a goofy adult who has their best interests at heart. I strive to be the teacher who focuses just as much on developing good character skills in kids, as well as strong academics.
Teaching at WSA:
My favorite part about working at WSA is groups. To recognize that students need help in a topic of reading or math and have the ability to send that child to a group that teaches that skill is major. WSA truly puts the children first.
Email: cranft@wsacharter.org
3rd Grade Teachers
Connie Chiatti
Third Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy, Spain and Argentina
What is something we don’t know about you?
I was in the chorus in college and also took acting classes.
What are your favorite bands?
I listen to many different genres of music it would be hard to pick just a few.
What do you love about your job?
Make a difference in a child’s life.
Email: cchiatti@wsacharter.org
Allison Lamoreaux
3rd Grade Teacher
I went to college at BYU.
I became a teacher because I had always liked working with kids. I worked in a daycare my senior year of high school and then taught preschool all during college and since I loved that so much I decided to continue working with kids and become a teacher.
I love at WSA I can wear work collaboratively with my team to help my kids succeed. I also like that the school looks for new and interesting ways to motivate the students.
Email: alamoreaux@wsacharter.org
Ginni Pereira
3rd Grade Teacher
I earned my teaching degree at Western Governors University.
I first realized I wanted to become a teacher when I volunteered at my kids' school. I worked with a child in 1st grade who really struggled with reading. The teacher told me to have him read the word without any help from me. Basically, she wanted him to guess until he got it right. That approach destroyed his confidence so I took a different approach. I taught him the word and had him practice it. The next time he came to that word he was so excited to get it right. His confidence grew. He stopped hating reading, and because of that, he was willing to try. That experience made me want to help other kids who struggled in with the basic skills of reading and math. That was 17 years ago, and I have never regretted my decision to teach. I love being a teacher.
What I enjoy the most about working at WSA is the camaraderie between the teachers. We all have the best interests of our students at heart and work together to do what is the best for them.
801.456.9570 ext. 131
Email: gpereira@wsacharter.org
4th Grade Teachers
Erica Hammon
Fourth Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Hawaii or anywhere by the ocean
What is something we don’t know about you?
Sang a solo in a high school operetta.
What are your favorite bands?
The Piano Guys, ABBA, G4
What do you love about your job?
Seeing the light go on in a child's mind, and learning new things myself.
Email: ehammon@wsacharter.org
Kate Hickam
Fourth Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
I really can’t pick as long as I’m traveling I love it. Many of my favorite places in the world are in South-East Asia or Scandinavia.
What is something we don’t know about you?
Growing up I went to the same small school from pre k all the way through 12th grade. My high school was the same size as my class this year.
What are your favorite bands?
I love everything from country to hip-hop, however once classical comes on I will fall asleep, not because I don’t like it but because its so relaxing.
What do you love about your job?
It is new everyday! Plus with 4th graders I get to have fun and share some of my favorite things like geology.
Email: khickam@wsacharter.org
5th Grade Teachers
Anastasia Davis, M.Ed
6th Grade Teacher
I attended The University of Texas at Austin for my B.A. and Western Governors University for my M. Ed.
I became a teacher because I have a love of learning and I want to instill that in my students as well. That "light bulb" moment when a student understands a new concept for the first time fills my heart with joy.
I like teaching at WSA because they make learning in the classroom interactive and support their teachers so we can become the best and in turn better our students.
Email: adavis@wsacharter.org
6th Grade Teachers
Hannah Byers, MBA
6th Grader
I went to the University of Utah for both my BA in English and my MBA.
I became a teacher because I believe education is power. Our youth are the future, and I want to help bridge the gap in title 1 schools.
I enjoy teaching at Wallace Stegner Academy because we believe in our students and set high expectations. We give our students tools they can use to become successful. I am very excited about our Outward Bound program, and believe this will be a wonderful motivation to keep students engaged and participating in the happenings at our school.
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext. 220
Email: hbyers@wsacharter.org
Anna Peterson
6th Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Thailand
What is something we don’t know about you?
I’ve had 60 stitches in my face
What are your favorite bands?
Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce
What do you love about your job?
The kids! I love watching them grow
Email: apeterson@wsacharter.org
7th Grade Teachers
Taylor Laub
7th Grade Teacher
Ms. Laub
I am so happy to be your child’s teacher this year. This is my second year at the Wallace Stegner Academy and my 7th year teaching in the education system. I grew up in Southern California and moved to Utah in 2000. I served in the Army for about 10 years where I met my fiancé and we are set to be married in June. Between the two of us we have 11 children, ages ranging from 12 to 27. We have 2 grandchildren, ages 1 & 2, so life is such an adventure right now. I will be teaching your child all homeroom subjects, but my favorite subject to teach is history. I was amazed last year at the fun that the seventh graders had and how close we got. I love all my students and I can’t wait to develop a relationship with your children as well. When they walk through my door, they walk into my heart. I can’t wait to get to know all of you as well.
Taylor Laub
801-882-0489
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext.205
Email: tlaub@wsacharter.org
Carmen Sims
7th Grade Teacher
7th Grade Teacher
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext 207
Email: csims@wsacharter.org
8th Grade Teachers
David Snee
Eighth Grade
What is your favorite vacation spot?
The one I am at.
What is something we don’t know about you?
My eyes appear to change color, from blue to green, depending on the shirt I am wearing; but I call them hazel on my driver’s license.
What are your favorite bands?
My musical interests are eclectic and they change depending on my mood.
What do you love about your job?
The opportunity to have a positive and profound impact on individuals and society. Also, the Outward Bound program.
Email: dsnee@wsacharter.org
Office Staff
Robb Jolley
Program Coordinator
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Portland, Oregon.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I can play seven instruments. I was a hired musician for the band, Jupiter Sunrise. I played on the 2005 Vans Warped tour with them, and toured the entire United States, and most of Canada. I have also been to France eight times.
What are your favorite bands?
Muse, Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, Interpol, Brand New, Thrice, Arcade Fire, Pink Floyd, Royal Blood.
What do you love about your job?
I love helping people succeed!
Email: rjolley@wsacharter.org
Jennifer Swan
School Counselor
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Ireland and Scotland, the beach, the mountains, or somewhere I’ve never been.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I live in Tooele, I love nature and photography, I used to want to be a writer and an actress, and I once won a major accordion competition.
What are your favorite bands?
John Denver, Dan Fogelberg #differentgeneration I also love musicals
What do you love about your job?
I love making a difference and watching “my kids” grow and develop.
Email: jswan@wsacharter.org
Special Education
Alma Castaneda
Special ED
What is your favorite vacation spot?
My Favorite vacation spot would have to be Hawaii.
What is something we don’t know about you?
Something that the school doesn’t know about me is that I love to draw and make letters!
What are your favorite bands?
My favorite bands are Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars.
What do you love about your job?
I love working with the students! Especially the students that are academically low. They give me a reason to come work every morning.
Email: acastaneda@wsacharter.org
Rebeca Chavez
Special ED
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere on the west coast
What is something we don’t know about you?
I love Sunday Brunch
What are your favorite bands?
Taylor Swift
What do you love about your job?
Making a difference in people’s lives and my cool new WSA reusable cup!
Email: rchavez@wsacharter.org
Caitlin Fox
Special ED
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Dublin, Ireland
What is something we don’t know about you?
I am a competitive Irish dancer.
What are your favorite bands?
I currently enjoy listening to Dan and Shay.
What do you love about your job?
I love seeing students work towards a goal and then finally achieve it.
Parents have the right to request and receive information on the qualifications of their child’s teacher.
If you have questions or want more information please contact the school principal or refer to the student information system.
If you are interested in working with our incredible team, visit our careers listing.