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
1st Grade Teachers
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
2nd Grade Teachers
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
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
Brianna Pesci
4th Grade Teacher
Brianna Pesci - 4th Grade
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext. 209
Email: hpesci@wsacharter.org
Trever Todd
4th Grade Teacher
College: Brigham Young University (BYU)
I became a teacher because I love learning and I hope to help others learn to love learning and to be good at learning.
I like teaching at Wallace Stegner Academy because students and teachers have the opportunity to learn and progress at your own level to reach your highest potential.
Phone: 801.456.9570 ext 210
Email: ttodd@wsacharter.org
Website: Phone: 801.456.9570 ext 210
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
Hannah Holm
5th Grade Teacher
I went to BYU
I went into teaching because it brought me so much joy to be in the classroom. I volunteered in schools and just knew it's where I wanted to be.
I like being at WSA because I love the students that the school brings in and the environment the school provides.
801.456.9570 ext. 213
Email: hholm@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
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
Office Staff
Special Education
Jerome Roque, M.Ed
IEP Case Manager / Special Education
801.456.9570 ext. 126
Email: jroque@wsacharter.org
Physical Education
Emily Ellis
PE Teacher
Where did you go to college? Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona!
Why did you become a teacher? I can't think of a better job then working with kids. It's amazing to watch them progress throughout the year.
What do you like about teaching at Wallace Stegner Academy ? We have a great community here at WSA! I've been so welcomed by the staff, the students, and the families. It's great to be in a place where students are so excited to learn.
Email: eellis@wsacharter.org
Peter Jex
Administrative Assistant, Soccer Coach
I became a PE teacher at WSA to work on something that I felt a difference. I care about the children in our community and want to help them overcome the many challenges they face getting a modern education. Working at our school has made me a better parent and helped me look at things differently. This past year I've looked forward to work everyday.
The things I love most about working at Wallace Stegner is seeing kids come in from schools in the area that aren't doing very well and seeing the transformation in them after a few months. I like the way you can't walk through our halls without a dozen high fives and seeing the happy faces of a hundred students. The school has had a very positive effect on me and on my daughter who also goes to school here.
I went to school at SLCC and Weber State
Phone: 801 410 9459
Email: pjex@wsacharter.org