Churchill Junior High

Academic Achievers

Faculty

Photo of Mrs. Gabriela Baguley

Mrs. Gabriela Baguley

Drama Teacher

  • Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University of Idaho. Major: Theatre and Speech Education. Minor: History Education.
  • This is Mrs. B’s first year at Churchill Jr. High!
  • Endorsements include -Theatre, Speech & Debate, U.S History, and World Civilizations.
  • Mrs. B began her teaching career at Rigby High School in Idaho in the fall 2016. After co-directing and designing several local middle school musical productions, she knew that middle school was the age group she wanted to teach. And she is excited to direct and design Churchills’ annual musical in the Spring. Mrs. B teaches Exploratory Drama, Theatre 1 & 2, Stage Production and World Studies.
Photo of Ginger Blumel-Wilson

Ginger Blumel-Wilson

Biology Teacher

  • Bachelor of Science from Weber State University, 1978. Major: Biology Composite Teaching, Minors: Anthropology and Physical Education
  • Endorsements: Science Biological, Medical Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Education and Middle School Science.
  • Educator since 1982.
  • Churchill Junior High since the fall of 2016.
  • Ms. Blumel-Wilson taught at Cottonwood HS for 22 years, Granite HS for 2 years, and Olympus HS for 10 years, before her retirement in 2016. She returned to teach again at Churchill Junior part-time. Her teaching assignments have included: Biology 1-2, Honors Biology 1-2, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Zoology, Genetics, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Consumer Math. This year, she will teach two sections of 6th Grade Science. In the past, she coached Men's and Women's Tennis at Cottonwood HS and was a Senior Class Advisor.
Photo of Madame Helene Cha-Philippe

Madame Helene Cha-Philippe

French Dual Immersion Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor in Law (Nancy University, France). 
  • Master in European Law (Nancy University, University College Dublin).
  • Master of Science in Teaching (Grenoble University, France).
  • Degree in Teaching French as a Foreign Language (DU FLE, Grenoble University, France).
  • Educator since 2007
  • Churchill Jr. High School since 2015
  • Mrs. Cha-Philippe began her career as an elementary teacher in Ardèche, France. She then joined the dual immersion program at Morningside Elementary, Salt Lake City. She taught French to Junior High students at Madeleine Choir School, Salt Lake City, before joining Churchill Jr. High School. 

Emmanuel Collins-Peynaud

French Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor Degree in English – Université François Rabelais, Tours, France
  • Master’s Degree in English, Master’s Degree in Education
  • Educator since 2000
  • Churchill Jr. High since 2018
  • Emmanuel Collins-Peynaud taught almost all grade levels from pre-K to 5th grade in elementary schools in France. He taught 6th grade French Dual Language Immersion at Morningside Elementary where he built the 6th grade DLI World History curriculum and was active in building the 6th grade DLI literacy curriculum. He worked as a State French DLI coordinator and taught 9th grade AP French DLI at Skyline High. He is currently teaching 8th and 7th grades and does coaching as a Language Specialist for Granite District.
Photo of Ms. Mary Gedge

Ms. Mary Gedge

Spanish Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-9589
  • Utah State University-Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and ESL Teaching Minor
  • Nova Southeastern University-Master of Science in Spanish Language Education
  • Educator since 2009
  • Churchill Jr. High since 2016
  • Ms. Gedge started teaching at Salt Lake Community College where she taught Developmental Reading and Writing classes as Adjunct Faculty.  She taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Eisenhower Jr. High and Providence Jr. High.  At Horizon Elementary, she worked as an aide in a Dual Immersion classroom, completed an internship at East High School, and then started teaching Spanish in 2016.
Photo of Elizabeth Gruenke

Elizabeth Gruenke

English Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
More info to come
Photo of Mr. Brian LeStarge

Mr. Brian LeStarge

Physical Science

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Photo of Mrs. Laurel Myers

Mrs. Laurel Myers

6th Grade English Teacher

Work Phone: (385) 646-1823
  • Bachelor of Science; Elementary Education – 2007 from University of Idaho
  • Gifted Endorsement – Utah State University
  • Educator since 2007
  • Churchill since August 2017
  • Mrs. Myers returned to school once her children were all in school. She taught reading and math to gifted 3rd, 4th and 5th graders for three years while living in Northern Idaho. She then moved on to teach in a 5th grade general class.  During this experience, she was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at her school.  In 2012 Mrs. Myers started teaching Language Arts at Oakridge Elementary.  She has also taught a 3rd Grade Magnet class at Morningside.  Before teaching, Mrs. Myers taught dance in her own studio.  She also enjoys running, playing with her grandkids and attending sports events.  She loves teaching and is energized by watching students learn and grow.
Photo of Mrs. BJ Nelson

Mrs. BJ Nelson

6th Grade Math Teacher

Work Phone: (385) 646-9384
  • Bachelor of Arts – UC Stanislaus, Major: History & Liberal Arts
  • Educator since 1997
  • Churchill Jr. since August 2017
  • Liberal Arts Student of the Year
  • Student Teacher of the Year – Salida Unified School District
  • Teacher of the Year – Salida Unified School District
  • Professional CA endorsed: ESL, CLAD, Gifted, Science, Math & STAN
  • Mrs. Nelson began her career in California with 2 children in college and 2 in high school.  She started her career teaching 5th and 6th grades – all subjects for 5 years, then moved to Salida Middle School where she taught Science and Math for 5 years.  Upon moving to Utah she taught 6th grade math for 12 years.  While at Oakridge she taught an after school Algebra class for several years.
Photo of Mrs. Leslie Niemann

Mrs. Leslie Niemann

Math 8

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education K-8 from The University of Arizona, 1983.
  • Math Endorsement
  • Began teaching career in Tucson, Arizona 1983
  • Teacher at Churchill Junior High since 2000.
  • Over the years, Mrs. Niemann has taught 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th 8th and 9th grades.
  • Niemann has taught Math 7, Pre- Algebra, and Algebra. During her time as an educator she has been a presentation team leader for Academic Games, SBO advisor, cheer advisor, and a class officer advisor.
Photo of Ms. Kristine Page

Ms. Kristine Page

Dance / Health

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brigham Young University (BYU): Composite Major in Health/Zoology/Communication/Sociology.
  • Masters of Public Health (MPH) from Illinois Benedictine University,Chicago, Illinois.
  • Licensed by the Utah Board of Education in Health, and endorsed in Physical Education, and Dance.
  • Churchill Jr. High School since 1997.
  • Ms. Page began her secondary school teaching career at Churchill Junior High in Salt Lake City. During her tenure,  she has taught 7th and 8th grade Health, 9th grade Ballroom Dance Company, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade Dance Company, Modern Dance, Social Dance, Study Skills, and Physical Education. Prior to teaching at Churchill Junior High, she taught Social Dance at BYU and Health Education and Social Dance classes at Salt Lake Community College. She has instructed Social Dance at the Utah State prison as a pilot program for integration of offenders back into society. Ms. Page was a member of the BYU Ballroom Dance Performance Team and other competitive Ballroom Dance Teams.    
Photo of Caress Perry

Caress Perry

Art Teacher

  • Bachelor's of Science in Arts & Environments at Utah State University
  • Master's of Fine Arts in Scenic Art, Painting and Design
  • Educator since 2007.
  • This is Mrs. Perry's first year at Churchill Junior High!
  • Mrs. Perry began her classroom teaching experience at Mount Logan Middle School in Logan, Utah. She began teaching & tutoring small groups of 6-8 grade students for a reading specialist program after graduating with both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Utah State University. Then the following year, she was excited to teach art at Matheson Junior High School for grades 7-9. She was also the Student Body Officer advisor from 2008-2012. In 2012, for family reasons Mrs. Perry moved to Vermont (and upstate New York) and taught art for Grace Christian School for grades K-12 and then Mill River Union High School for grades 7-12. After her and her husband realized that Utah was a better fit for them and their growing family (two little children and a dog), they moved back to this area in mid-July. Mrs. Perry is looking forward to an awesome year at Churchill Junior High!
 
Photo of Tonya Phillips

Tonya Phillips

6th Grade Science

Work Phone: (385) 646-0701
  • Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication - University of Utah 2000
  • Master of Arts in Teaching - Westminster College 2009
  • STEM Endorsed - Science Technology Engineering and Math Endorsement University of Utah 2017
  • Educator since 2009
  • First year at Churchill Jr.
  • Science is a passion of Tonya's and she is excited to be joining Churchill's team this year.  She will be implementing the new Science Standards, and working on using design and engineering practices throughout the year in her classroom.  Tonya grew up in Canada, in the Rocky Mountain region of Alberta.  Tonya loves the outdoors and in her spare time finds herself biking, hiking, river running, exploring, and traveling.  She has two boys and loves spending her spare time with them whenever she gets an opportunity to!
Photo of Mrs. Laurie Pope

Mrs. Laurie Pope

Biology Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Biology Education with a Zoology emphasis.
  • Currently working on her GT endorsement.
  • She started teaching in 2002 at Brockbank Junior High before eventually moving to Churchill.
  • Mrs. Pope has taught both Biology and 7th grade Integrated Science. Mrs. Pope coaches track at Churchill and enjoys running half marathons, marathons, and sometimes even a 50k. She has three kids, two of whom are students at Churchill!
Photo of Mrs. Laura Pratt

Mrs. Laura Pratt

6th Grade English

  • Bachelor of Arts from the University of Utah, 1994; Major: English, Minor: Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies
  • Masters in Education, Culture, and Society from the University of Utah, 2017, with teaching endorsements in History, English Language Arts, and ESL
  • Attended Higher Education Classes in Cairo, Egypt and Fez, Morocco
  • Ms. Pratt began her career in grassroots international development in Utah, Kenya, and India, where she worked she worked with several primary and secondary schools. After leaving development work, Ms. Pratt worked in the independent film industry for a decade as a coordinator, writer, script supervisor, and producer in Utah, California, Maine, Puerto Rico, New York, and New Jersey. She has taken literary workshops from world famous authors and has published short YA fiction. In 2014 she returned to school and received her Master’s Degree in Education in 2017. As she pursues excellence in teaching, she also continues to hone her craft as a writer.
Photo of Mrs. Kimberly Reale

Mrs. Kimberly Reale

Home Economics Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • University of Utah Degree: Fashion Merchandising.
  • Alternative Route Licensing BOCES Colorado.
  • Teaching 12 years High School and Junior High in Colorado and Utah.
  • Churchill Jr. High 3 years.
  • Mrs. Reale began her teaching career at Murray High School as a paraprofessional for the start up of an Alternative Program. She then moved to Colorado and taught at Smoky Hill High School and Eagle Valley High School, taught ProStart, a culinary and hospitality program for three years, and took students to participate as a team in State Culinary Competitions.
Photo of Mrs. Jill Sundberg

Mrs. Jill Sundberg

Math 3 Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, 2008; Major: Mathematics/Statistics Composite
  • ELL Endorsed
  • Educator since 2008
  • Churchill Junior High Since 2015
  • Mrs. Sundberg has been with Granite School District since the beginning of her career. She began teaching at Hunter Junior High in West Valley, Utah. She made the switch to Churchill Junior in 2015. She has taught the 7th, 8th and 9th grade math curriculum throughout her career. She has been available during her after school homework clubs to help students one-on-one with their math questions.
Photo of Mrs. Diane Taylor

Mrs. Diane Taylor

Instrumental Music Teacher

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Utah, 2007
  • Educator since 2007
  • Churchill Jr. High School since 2015
  • Diane Taylor began her career teaching elementary music in Granite School District. She taught 4th – 6th grade band and general music for 6 years. She then taught orchestra and choir at Mt. Ogden Junior high for 2 years before coming here to Churchill Jr. High.  At Churchill, Diane teaches band, orchestra, choir and general music.  Outside of school, Diane is the assistant director for Murray Concert Band and has played trombone with that group since 2001.  She also plays with a Dixieland group called Salt City Saints.
Photo of Mrs. Deborah Wagner

Mrs. Deborah Wagner

Science 7 / P.E.

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse/Physical Education/Biology
  • Mrs. Wagner began her career at Churchill Jr. High in 1976.
  • Mrs. Wagner was named the Utah Outstanding Middle School Physical Educator in 1995-1996
  • Mrs. Wagner was a Granite School District Excel Award winner in 1999.
  • While at Churchill, Mrs. Wagner has taught Health, English, Science, and Physical Education. She has coached track, basketball, and cross country. Mrs. Wagner has also served as the MESA club advisor and SBO advisor.
Photo of Mrs. Rebekka Ward

Mrs. Rebekka Ward

Special Education

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications – University of Utah, 1982
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education (grades Kindergarten – 12th grade and beyond) – University of Utah, 1994
  • Churchill Junior High since August 2000
  • Educator since 1992
  • Mrs. Ward taught 7th, 8th, and 9th graders at Granite Park and Bonneville junior highs before coming to Churchill. She is very excited to also be working with 6th graders this year.  Her interest in teaching was sparked when her three children were in elementary school and she was a classroom assistant at Wasatch and Franklin elementaries in Salt Lake District.  Mrs. Ward’s parents were immigrants from Germany, and she grew up bilingual, with German being her first language.  Mrs. Ward is a family-person, and enjoys spending time with her children and their spouses, and with her grandchildren.
Photo of Mrs. Mary Anne Wiebe-Strong

Mrs. Mary Anne Wiebe-Strong

Library Media Education Technology Specialist

Work Phone: 385-646-8113
Photo of Mr. Christopher Winn

Mr. Christopher Winn

CTE / Computer Tech / Keyboarding

Work Phone: 385-646-5144
  • Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, 1993; Major-Accounting
  • Master of Arts from Pepperdine University, Instructional Technology
  • Churchill Jr. High School since 2010
  • Mr. Winn began his career at Syracuse Jr. High school.  During his time there, he taught computers and college and career classes.  In 2000, Mr Winn moved schools in the Davis School District where he began teaching at the Davis Applied Tech Center.  While at the DATC, he taught computer tech classes.  Mr. Winn began teaching at Churchill in 2010.  He teaches Keyboarding, Computer Coding and College and Career Awareness.