Mr. Stuart Arnell
American History
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- Bachelor of Science from University of Utah, 1990; Exercise and Sport Science. Teaching minor in History
- Master of Education from Weber State University, 1998
- Educator since 1991
- Churchill Jr. High since 2010
- Mr. Arnell began his teaching career in 1991 at Snowcrest Jr. High in Eden, Utah. For seven years he taught History, P.E. and coached a number of sports. In 1998 he left teaching for seven years and was an estimator for a large commercial construction company. In 2005 he returned to teaching (because he missed it so much) and taught History at Bennion Jr. High for five years. Currently, he teaches U.S. History and Utah Studies at Churchill and is monumentally happy to be here.
Mrs. Kristen Billeter
Biology Teacher
Science
Work Email:
- Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University, 2005. Major: Biology Composite Teaching
- Churchill Jr. from 2006-2009
- Evergreen Jr. in 2021-2022
- Churchill Jr (again, yay!) from 2022
- Enjoys skiing, paddleboarding, swimming and spending time outdoors with her family.
- Mrs. Billeter began her teaching career here at Churchill in 2006. She taught 7th grade Science and Biology for three years before taking time off to stay home with her 4 beautiful daughters. During that time she helped coordinate Science events at local elementary schools and served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Canyon Rim Academy, an elementary charter school in Salt Lake City. In 2021, she was persuaded to return to the classroom at Evergreen Jr., teaching 7th grade Science. In 2022, Mrs. Billeter was delighted at the chance to return to Churchill, this time teaching 6th grade Science.
Kristin Breding
Work Email:
Jessica Bryant
Art Teacher
Fine Arts
Work Email:
Hello Churchill families, my name is Jessica Bryant, and I am the Art Teacher here at Churchill. I started working at Churchill for the 2021 - 2022 school year. I previously worked at a high school in Princeton, IL.
I first graduated in 2009 with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. After a few years I found myself working at an alternative school for at-risk youth. There I began to teach art for the first time and discovered how much I enjoy teaching art to the youth. I was able to see the impact art has on students and just how powerful art can be in the lives of students. After working at the school for a year I decided to head back to school to earn my teaching license as well as my master’s in art education. I attended Northern Illinois University and completed my masters in August 2022.
Madame Helene Cha-Philippe
French Dual Immersion Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
Ms. Candice Christensen
Dance / Health
Work Email:
- Started at Churchill in 2010
- Ms. Christensen began her love for dance at age 5, and the love only grew from there. She continued developing her skills as a cheerleader and ballroom dance team member at Churchill and onto Skyline High School. After graduation Candice assisted for the last 12 years in all aspects of Churchill's dance program including: choreography, teaching, productions, lighting, costuming, music and backstage management.
- Ms. Christensen is so excited to be the new director of Churchill's dance program and looks forward to helping students have an outstanding dance experience!
Mrs.. Marleni Colvin
Spanish Teacher
Work Email:
Mr. Jaden Ford
6th Grade English Teacher
English
Work Phone: (385) 646-1823
Work Email:
Mr. Ford graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in English Teaching and a minor in Political Science. He started teaching at Churchill in the 2021-2022 school year and instantly became a smash hit. Mr. Ford has been working in education since 2016 and has held several language arts, special education, and aide positions across multiple age groups before finally finding a home in sixth grade.
Elizabeth Gruenke
English Teacher
English
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
More info to come
Mr. Jared Gunter
P.E. Teacher
Physical Education
Work Email:
- Bachelor's Degree in Physical and Health Education K-12 from Plymouth State University, 2019
- Born and raised in New Hampshire
- Mr. Gunter began his teaching career here at Churchill in January 2020 after completing his student-teaching internship through Plymouth State University at Lin-Wood Public School in Lincoln, New Hampshire. In his spare time, Mr. Gunter enjoys skiing, hiking, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Danny Keetch
Drama Teacher
Fine Arts
Work Email:
Ms. Abigail Lathem
Special Education
Work Email:
-Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, 2018; Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in severe disabilities
-Master of Education from University of Utah, 2021; Educational Leadership and Policy
-Educator since 2018
-First year at Churchill-GO CHARGERS!
-Ms. Lathem began her teaching career at Whittier Elementary in Granite School District in the fall of 2018. She has taught 5th- 6th grade students with severe disabilities for the last four years. She finally decided to make the jump to Jr. High special education and has loved every minute! She is looking forward to a fun year getting to know students and seeing growth. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, fly fishing, playing the piano, and going on adventures with her happy-go-lucky golden retriever, Arlo.
Stacey Leak
English 8
Work Email:
- BS from USU in 2001 in Secondary Ed.
- MS from U of U in 2008 in Health Ed. and Promotion
- Began teaching at Churchill in 2022
- I started teaching in 2001. I taught 10 yrs. in residential treatment, and 10 years in at a service learning charter school called Entheos Academy.
Mr. Brian LeStarge
Physical Science
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
Tammy Miller
Work Email:
- Bachelor of Mathematics Education, BYU 1997
- Masters of Educational Leadership, University of Utah 2006
- National Board Certified Teacher of Mathematics 2004
- Churchill Jr High 2022!
- Mrs. Miller taught math at Mountain Ridge Jr High School in Alpine School District for many years. She really loves helping students learn and is excited to be at Churchill!
Mrs. Leslie Niemann
Math 8
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
Mrs. Laurie Pope
Biology Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 7th Grade Science Teacher
- Education: BS Biology Education BYU 2002
- Currently pursuing MS Earth Science
- Endorsements: Biology, Middle School Science, Gifted and Talented
- Mrs. Pope has taught Biology, Earth Systems, 7th and 8th grade science
- Current Track Coach for Churchill
- Enjoys half marathons, when trained, collecting race medals, Diet Coke, and competing in chalk art competitions.
Mrs. Laura Pratt
6th Grade English
English
Work Email:
- 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.
Tracy Randall
French Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
French DLI 3, 4, CHM and ALPS lead
- Bachelor of Arts, French Major, English Minor from Brigham Young University, 1989
- Master of Science - Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University, 2016
- Ms. Randall began her teaching career at BYU as a Live Lab instructor for French 101 classes under the supervision of Mme Chantal Thompson. She then took a very long break to raise her children, volunteer in their classes for the Art program, serve on the South Jordan Arts Council and work for various computer companies before realizing she really wanted to return to teaching.
- She taught French levels 1-AP and 10th grade Language Arts at Bingham High School from 2012-2021 while her children finished their schooling there.
- In 2021, she was thrilled to join the Churchill team as the French DLI/CHM teacher for 7th-8th graders.
- She loves hiking, walking by the Jordan River, reading, cooking, kayaking and ballroom dancing.
Mrs. Kimberly Reale
Home Economics Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
Mrs. Amy Stephenson
6th Grade Math Teacher
Math
Work Email:
Mrs. Jill Sundberg
Math 3 Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
Derek Tate
Work Email:
- Bachelors - University of Utah 1994
- Master - University of Utah 1994
- Endorsements - Physical Education, Health, Science, Geography, Psychology
- Educator since 1994
- First year at Churchill
Mr. Tate began his teaching career at a residential treatment facility fr adolescents where he was a half time teacher and half time recreation therapist. During his masters and PhD work he taught undergraduate courses at the University of Utah and University of Montana. Upon moving back to Utah from Montana he accepted a position at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Ogden where he has taught for the past 22 years. During his tenure at Saint Joe's he has taught Physical Education, Math and World Geography every year. He has also taught Science, Health, Fitness, Outdoor Recreation, and US History. While at Saint Joe Derek served as the Athletic Director and Math Department Chair. Derek loves being outdoors with his family. You can find them mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, skiing, or running up a mountain.
Mrs. Diane Taylor
Instrumental Music Teacher
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
Mrs. Mary Anne Wiebe-Strong
Library Media Education Technology Specialist
Work Phone: 385-646-8113
Work Email:
Mr. Christopher Winn
CTE / Computer Tech / Keyboarding
Work Phone: 385-646-5144
Work Email:
- 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.
