Katie Hut holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Utah State University, with a focus on supporting students with significant needs. She brings experience from both high school and postsecondary settings, and is passionate about fostering communication, creativity, and confidence in her students. Her teaching draws from her interests in classical literature, American Sign Language, writing, and the arts, creating a rich and inclusive learning environment for adult learners.
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.
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!
Holly Postma is a versatile educator with experience in behavior support, career and technical education, and student leadership. She brings a strengths-based approach to social-emotional learning and career readiness, helping students build confidence, independence, and practical life skills. Holly is committed to fostering workplace preparation, self-advocacy, and meaningful peer collaboration in her postsecondary teaching.
Britta McAllister is a multilingual educator who brings expertise in language development and the visual arts to her postsecondary teaching. A certified TESOL instructor and fluent Spanish speaker, Britta blends creativity and communication in her work with adult learners. She is passionate about helping students explore self-expression through art, storytelling, and cultural connection, while building confidence in both academic and personal goals.
Shana Thomas is a dedicated educator with a background in Montessori education, literacy instruction, and inclusive teaching practices. She brings hands-on experience in reading intervention and developmental learning, with a focus on building strong foundations in math, language, and life skills. Shana’s creative and nurturing approach supports adult learners in discovering their capabilities through real-world problem solving and collaborative exploration.
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.
Michele was a ballet major at Brigham Young University (BYU) and is nearing completion of her Early Childhood MACTE-accredited Montessori credential through MEPI (Montessori Education Programs International). With over 30 years of teaching experience at private studios and both private and public schools, Michele has danced since the age of six and has been teaching dance for over 20 years. She has worked with children ranging from 12 months to 18 years, including as an Early Childhood teacher and a member of our enrichment teaching team. Michele has four children—two boys and two girls. Traveling the world with her parents as a child instilled in her a great love and appreciation for people and culture. Michele joined the Elizabeth Academy staff in 2010.
Carrie, M.S. CCC-SLP , has a Bachelors in Communication Science and Disorders as well as a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Idaho State University. She is certified through the American Speech and Hearing Association and has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice, hospitals, home health, and in schools.
Carrie has served as a Parent Advisor on the Utah Special Education Advisory Panel for the Utah State Board of Education, The Utah Alternative Technology Team for Canyons School District, on the county and state boards of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation, and has volunteered for Special Olympics.
She enjoys scuba diving, singing, playing piano and organ, cooking, reading, theater, crochet, learning, and advocacy. Carrie and her husband have 4 children, one of whom is diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Olga Malloy is an innovative educator and child development specialist with a diverse background spanning physics, Waldorf education, and curative approaches to learning. Her career has been shaped by a deep-seated passion for understanding how children learn, particularly those with special needs.
After obtaining a Master of Science in Physics in Ukraine in 1992, Olga began her professional journey in academia, teaching undergraduate courses and conducting research at Tel-Aviv University. However, her innate calling to work with young children led her to pursue Waldorf Teacher Training at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, CA, marking a significant shift in her career path.
Olga’s educational journey began conventionally, but her keen observations and commitment to her students’ well-being led her to question traditional methods. She noticed a pattern: despite the application of seemingly holistic approaches, some children consistently struggled, falling behind academically, displaying restless behavior, and appearing profoundly unhappy. Determined to make a difference, Olga made it her mission to reach these children who were not responding to conventional educational techniques.
This commitment drove Olga to expand her knowledge and explore alternative educational philosophies. She immersed herself in the works of influential thinkers such as Rudolf Steiner, Moshe Feldenkrais, Nikolai Bernstein, Lev Vygotsky, and Gordon Neufeld. Through years of study and practical application, Olga developed a unique capacity to uncover the underlying causes of learning and behavioral difficulties.
Olga’s diverse experience includes leading Early Childhood classrooms, elementary and middle school classrooms, teaching music in elementary school grades, and overseeing summer camps and aftercare programs. Her work with children requiring specialized support deepened her interest in Curative Education, which she found to be a transformative approach in the field of education.
Driven by a deep sense of purpose, in 2019, Olga founded the Little School in Fryeburg, a non-profit initiative in Maine dedicated to providing a holistic and individualized education for children. For three years, she nurtured a one-room schoolhouse classroom for students from kindergarten to eighth grade, fostering an environment that celebrates the unique abilities of each child.
Olga’s work extends beyond direct interaction with children. She is passionate about empowering parents and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children’s learning journey at home. Her workshops and educational programs offer transformative experiences for both children and parents, fostering a collaborative approach to education.
