Gail Williamsen, along with her husband Thom, founded 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 completed her Master of Education degree and American Montessori Society (AMS) Administrative credential through the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. Gail has a passion for lifelong learning and particularly enjoys great art, music, and literature.
Aimee has her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies from BYUI with certificates in Child and Family Advocacy and Administrative Assistance. Her career in education began in 2008 as a preschool teacher. She enjoyed learning and finding ways to teach to each unique child. As a teacher she became a program coordinator and helped train new teachers. Aimee transitioned to administration 2011 taking on the roles of Center Director and district trainer. This allowed her to continue learning and teaching. Aimee joined Elizabeth Academy in 2019 as the Office Manager after being drawn to the school’s mission.
She truly loves music and theater and taught dance and tumbling for 14 years. She has a minor in dance and recently rejoined the Theater community performing in community theater in Utah. This love has allowed Aimee to join the Theater department at Elizabeth Academy and co-direct the school’s musicals! Aimee loves spending time with her family which includes her husband and three children. Her absolute favorite place is the coast of the Pacific Northwest and loves camping there.
Sofia Laguna Rigolon is from Boulder, Colorado, and has been teaching, designing curriculum, and focusing on inclusive education practices for the past 11 years.
Sofia has two Masters degrees- one in Curriculum and Instruction (University of Denver) and the other in Instructional Leadership (Utah State University), and she holds a certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Utah. Sofia studied English with an emphasis in creative writing from the University of Colorado.
Sofia has taught students from Kindergarten to university, and specializes in language acquisition, curriculum development, differentiation, and establishing collaborative teaching and planning models to maximize ALL student learning. Sofia and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters. As a family, they love being part of the Elizabeth Academy community!
With three impactful years at Elizabeth Academy Secondary, Holly has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic and social environment of the school. As the Assistant Admin, Holly has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and leadership, ensuring that the administrative functions run smoothly and efficiently.
In their role as Behavior Coordinator, Holly has successfully implemented strategies to foster a positive and inclusive school culture, addressing behavioral issues with a proactive and supportive approach. This role has allowed Holly to work closely with students, parents, and staff to create a harmonious and conducive learning environment.
As the Student Council Advisor, Holly has mentored and guided students in developing leadership skills, organizing events, and advocating for their peers. This position has provided Holly with the opportunity to inspire and support student initiatives, helping to cultivate a strong sense of community within the school.
Additionally, Holly serves as a CTE Teacher, where she is dedicated to preparing students for future careers through hands-on learning and real-world applications. Holly’s commitment to integrating career readiness into the curriculum has greatly benefited students, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge for their professional journeys.
Through her diverse roles, Holly has made a significant impact on the Elizabeth Academy Secondary community, demonstrating unwavering dedication to student success and school improvement.
Paige holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania, as well as certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from Brightwood Career Institute. With over 12 years of experience in the field, she has worked in various educational settings, including as a developmental therapist for TEIS in Pittsburgh, PA.
Her teaching experience encompasses infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-K classrooms, allowing her to gain a deep understanding of early childhood development. Most recently, Paige served as the Director of a childcare center in Park City for two years, where she focused on creating a nurturing environment for young learners and supporting their growth.
Paige is passionate about collaborating with families and educators to ensure each child receives the support they need to thrive. She looks forward to contributing to the school community and making a positive impact on the lives of the students!
Paige enjoys spending her time with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling, going to concerts and her favorite place to visit is the beach.
Britta is the Art Inclusion at the Secondary School! She has four years of teaching experience, being a certified TESOL instructor and fluent Spanish speaker. Britta has two little toddlers, ages 3 and 4 years old. She enjoys dancing, spending time with her family, and creating/appreciating art in her free time. Britta started teaching at the Upper Campus in October 2022 and looks forward to more years to come!
Shana has been working in a Montessori environment since 2015 in a variety of different roles. She has been a parent reading volunteer, lower elementary co-teacher and kindergarten lead teacher. Shana is a certified Early Steps Reading Instructor through the University of Utah and teaches as an Instructor at the University of Utah Reading Clinic after school. Shana loves working with children and finds great joy in helping each child realize their full potential. Shana is completing her Lower Elementary Montessori credential through the North American Montessori Center (NAMC).
In her spare time Shana enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two children, Ayla and Kai. She loves making crafts, playing the piano and fixing things. Shana is always involved in learning new skills and is excited to be a part of Elizabeth Academy.
Hayley received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance from The Brigham Young University, Idaho. In 2019 she volunteered for an elementary school in the Dominican Republic, helping young learners master the English language and other subjects. Hayley is an avid lover and supporter of the arts and loves to incorporate it into her teaching. She has been a dance instructor for more than seven years, teaching throughout Utah and Idaho. She plans to further her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in dance one day. Hayley enjoys teaching children and adults of all ages and hopes to continue to educate others for many years to come.
In her spare time she enjoys yoga and photography. She has her 200 hour yoga teacher certification and runs a small photography business.
Diego was born in Bogotá Colombia, and for 5 years now he has been in Salt Lake City, a librarian by profession with more than 12 years of experience in the field, he loves sharing and enjoying an academic environment. He likes learning new things and is excited to be a part of this school. Among his hobbies are: traveling, going to the gym, driving, contact with nature, by the way he loves cats.
