It is the goal of the staff at Elizabeth Academy to provide your child with a loving, supportive environment that is designed to meet his or her individual needs. We believe that educating your child is a team effort between the family and our school. We encourage you to make an appointment to tour our facility and to learn more about our unique learning environment.
ADMINISTRATION
Gail S. Williamsen - Founder
Gail Williamsen, along with her husband Thom, founded the Elizabeth Academy in 2008. Gail was born and raised in Salt Lake City and attended public schools, graduating from Highland High School. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Utah while designing women's apparel and producing the catalogs for LeVoy's Lingerie. Interrupting school and career, she paused to focus on what she considers to be the most important of her life's work--the rearing of her seven children. Gail returned to the University of Utah in 2004, continuing her formal education and earning her BA in English. She has a passion for lifelong learning and particularly enjoys great art, music and literature.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Maria Gurrister, M.S. CCC-SLP- Private Speech Therapy
Maria has been a certified ASHA speech language pathologist since 1987. She is co owner of Wasatch Speech and Language Center, founded in 1989. Her primary area of clinical practice is neurogenic communication disorders in children and adults. Maria received her graduate degree from the University of Utah and was a member of the Phi Kappa Honor Society. She has received additional postgraduate study at the University of Utah and at the University of Iowa. Maria joined the practice of Wasatch Speech and Language Center in 2001 after spending most of her career at the University of Utah Medical Center. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children who are nonverbal and with specific language disorders. She co created the Wasatch Children’s language and social skills summer program to help children learn social communication skills amongst their peers in functional settings.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Loretta Rudd - Director
Picture and Biography coming soon!
Christina Stanley - Business Manager
Christina Stanley graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. For the past 6 years, she has worked in various areas of accounting, doing everything from tax returns to auditing. The birth of her daughter Bridget sparked her interest in the Montessori method. After touring local schools and researching this method of education, she was excited to become a part of Elizabeth Academy within the parameters of her expertise. Her other interests include music, pottery, photography, and travel.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Katey Hill - Office
Katey graduated from BYU in 2009 with a degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. She is currently preparing for the GRE to pursue her Master's degree in Speech Pathology. She loves to hike, ski, snowboard, golf, and go to the lake with her husband. She loves working with children and cannot wait for another exciting year at the Elizabeth Academy!
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TEACHING STAFF
Lizzie Dalton - Mentor
Miss Lizzie is the mentor for the Early Childhood classes. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Special Education from the University of Utah with a minor in Spanish. Lizzie has been involved in special education for 10 years through service, teaching in inclusive elemantary schools and providing private service for families with children with special needs. Lizzie loves to dance. She trained through the University of Utah, the Virginia Tanner teacher workshop and others throughout her life. She also loves to hike, run, cook and spend time with her husband and her daughter Alice.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Liz Sproul - Mentor
Miss Liz is the mentor for the Emerging/Early Childhood class. She spent eight months living in Romania where she volunteered at an orphanage and hospital with abandoned children. Most of the orphans she worked with had special needs, and that is when she knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Special Education with an emphasis in severe disabilities, and went on to teach Diagnostic Kindergarten in Jordan School District. She and her husband welcomed their first baby (George) in 2007. She awaits the arrival of her second child in March, and is happy to be working with such incredible children at Elizabeth Academy.
Natalie Williamsen - Teacher
Miss Natalie is a teacher in the Emerging/Early Childhood class. She is currently a student at the University of Utah, working toward a degree in Psychology. She is licensed in massage therapy and has studied much in the areas of nutrition, sport fitness, and kinesiology. She loves working with youth and their families. She also likes to run, exercise, make jewelry, knit scarves, and travel. Two of her favorite places are Seattle and Hawaii.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bethany Courtright - Teacher
Picture and Biography coming soon!
Ashlee Schaar - Teacher
Picture and Biography coming soon!
Jesse Luke - Teacher
Mr. Jesse is a teacher in the Early Childhood classroom 1 with Miss Kate. He has had great experiences working with children for about three and a half years at other private schools and feels already that this is the best year of his career, seeing rewarding and productive growth in both the children and their teachers. He feels honored to be part of the lives of these children.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kate Gladwell - Teacher
Miss Kate is a teacher in the Early Childhood classroom 1 with Mr. Jesse. She was employed with Davis County School District for 8 years, working as a tutor, art teacher, substitute teacher, and a teacher for the extended day program. She received her Bachelors Degree from Weber State University in Family Studies with an emphasis in Children’s Education. She then went on to become a Certified Family Life Educator from the National Council on Family Relations. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Phoenix in Elementary Education and became a certified teacher for the state of Utah. Kate is so excited to teach at Elizabeth Academy! She feels that Montessori education is the best way for children to learn. In her spare time Kate enjoys baking, gardening, traveling and spending time with loved ones.
Amanda Butterfield - Teacher
Ms. Amanda is a co-teacher with Ms. Sarah in Classroom 2. She received a BS in Child Development from BYU Idaho and brings to Elizabeth Academy 2 years experience working at other private preschools, developing a toddler curriculum. She has enjoyed working with all of the children thus far and looks forward to more adventures in the upcoming months. Some of her favorite things to do are watch movies, read, travel, and spend time with family and friends.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sarah Olson - Teacher
Ms. Sarah is a co-teacher with Ms. Amanda in Classroom 2. She has several years experience working with preschool children through Granite School District and many more hours caring for little ones within her circle of friends and family. She is excited for this school year and looks forward to getting to know your children better. Her favorite things to do are read, travel, and spend time with her friends and family.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Vicki Malan - Teacher
Picture and Biography coming soon!
Jackie Johnson - Teacher
Picture and Biography coming soon!