Thomas Jefferson Jr. High

5850 South 5600 West, Kearns UT 84118

Teachers

Photo of Clark Abraham

Clark Abraham

French

  • Degrees:
    • French, Secondary - USU
    • M. Ed. Western Governors
  • Educator since: 2013
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Shaun Anderson

Shaun Anderson

Health and PE

Health
Photo of Amy Arias

Amy Arias

English, Study Skills, Supervised Studies

Self-Contained
Bio
  • Associates degree in History from Ricks College in 1993
  • Bachelor’s degree in History and Special Education from Utah State University in 1996
  • Educator since: 1996
  • Jefferson since: 1996
  • Mrs. Arias teaches English Language Arts with a specialty helping students with more needed services in academic learning or in emotional disabilities. Mrs. Arias has special proficiency in helping students make more than one year gain in language arts.
Photo of Chezarae Beaty

Chezarae Beaty

Math, Reading

  • Degrees:
    • Music Ed. - U of U
  • Educator since: 2016
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Katrina Brighton

Katrina Brighton

College and Career Awareness, FACS Sewing and Teen Living

Teen Living/Lifeskills/CTE
Bio
  • Degrees:
    • Bachelor of Science Utah State University
    • Master of Science Utah State University
  • Educator since: 1996
  • Jefferson since: 2001
  • Mrs. Brighton has been a FACS and Business teacher for many years and has also had the opportunity to have her own children as students at Jefferson, which has given her great insight into the perspective of students and parents that has helped her in her career.
Photo of Courtney Brueckner

Courtney Brueckner

English 7, English 8, English GT

Bio
  • Degrees:
    • Masters of Arts in Teaching English - Westminster College
    • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Creative Writing Emphasis - U of U
  • Educator since: 2014
  • Jefferson since: 2016
  • Ms. Brueckner has been at Horizonte in the Salt Lake School District for the past two years teaching Adult ESOL classes and coordinating the Youth Alternative Language program. Ms. Brueckner has also worked for the Salt Lake City Public Library for seven years.
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Elsa Cavazos

Special Education

  • Degrees:
    • Special Education Mild/Moderate - U of U
  • Educator since: 2021
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Hunter Clapsadl

Hunter Clapsadl

English 6, Reading

  • Degrees:
    • Elementary Education - U of U
  • Educator since: 2019
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Debby Conner

Debby Conner

SPED Paraprofessional

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Adam Erickson

College and Career Awareness, Digital Literacy

  • Degrees:
    • Masters of Business Administration - University of Phoenix, 2003
    • Bachelor of Science in Economics -  University of Utah,1994
  • Educator since: 2016
  • Jefferson since: 2018
Photo of Yolanda Frazier

Yolanda Frazier

English 6, ESL

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: Elementary Education K-8 - Idaho State University
    • Masters: MAED Counseling, Admin - U of Phoenix
  • Educator since: 1994
  • Jefferson since: 2021
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Sione Fuapau

Special Education

  • Degree: Bachelors - California State University / Sacramento
  • Educator since:
  • Jefferson Since: 2021
 
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Brad Gibson

Math 7

Bio: Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education - Utah State University (2000) Master of Science - Computer Information Systems - University of Phoenix (2003) Educator since: 2001 Jefferson since: 2018 Mr. Gibson taught 6th and 7th Grade math at Spanish Fork Middle School for six years. After that, Mr. Gibson taught 6th Grade at Art City Elementary in Springville, Utah for 11 years and then taught 7th Grade Math at Spanish Fork Junior High School for one year before coming to Jefferson.
Photo of Krista Gillson

Krista Gillson

Art

Photo of Anna Heath

Anna Heath

Science

  • Colleges attended: Utah Valley University, Westminster College
  • Degrees:
    • AA Culinary Arts
    • AS University Studies
    • BS Biology
  • Educator since: 2019
  • Jefferson Since: 2019
Photo of Wendy Hill

Wendy Hill

Aide

Photo of Brad Holscher

Brad Holscher

Science

  • University of Utah, Bachelor’s Degree
  • Indiana State University, Bachelor’s Degree
  • Educator since:
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Brian Jacketta

Brian Jacketta

Mathematics

  • Degrees:
    • B.S. in Mathematics from University of Utah,
    • M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University (Orange, CA)
  • Educator since: 2004
  • Jefferson Since: 2019
Photo of Sunhee Khang

Sunhee Khang

SPED Paraprofessional

Photo of Chelsie Lewis

Chelsie Lewis

FACS

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors of Family Consumer Science - BYU
  • Educator since: 2017
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Amanda Lopez-Tibbs

Amanda Lopez-Tibbs

English 7

English
  • Bachelors in English Secondary Education from University of Utah
  • Educator since: 2019
  • Jefferson since: 2019
Photo of Danielle Malmberg

Danielle Malmberg

Dance

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: Modern Dance - U of U
  • Educator since: 2015
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Alayna Moore

Alayna Moore

Para

Photo of Sydnee Moser Price

Sydnee Moser Price

Mathematics

  • Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary and Math Education from Southern Utah University
  • Master's from Southern Utah University
  • Educator since: 2019
  • Jefferson since: 2019
Photo of Maria Namelka

Maria Namelka

Spanish

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: UNISON—MEXICO, School of Law, Bachelor’s Degree
    • Masters: University of New Mexico, Master’s Degree
  • Educator since:
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Marissa Neeley

Marissa Neeley

English

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: Social Studies and ELA - USU
  • Educator since: 2020
  • Jefferson since: 2020
Photo of Bethany Nielsen

Bethany Nielsen

English

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: English Degree - USU
    • Masters of Education - U of U
  • Educator since: 2011
  • Jefferson since: 2020
Photo of Samuel Noyce

Samuel Noyce

Band, Orchestra, Choir

Bio
  • Bachelors degree in French and Music from the University of Utah
  • Study abroad in France
  • Educator since: 2016
  • Jefferson since: 2017
  • In 2015 Jefferson became a French Dual Immersion school.
In addition to teaching French at Jefferson Jr. High, Sam Noyce teaches adult education courses at East High, and has taught courses for summer camps such as the University of Utah’s TRIO Upward Bound program. Before coming to Jefferson, he taught at American Preparatory Academy and worked for three years as a substitute teacher for Granite and Canyons School Districts, specializing in French Dual Immersion and Music classes. Mr. Noyce obtained a BA in French and a BMU in Music Education from the University of Utah. During his time as a U of U student, he spent two years living in France and later returned to study for a semester in Paris. In his free time, he enjoys playing the clarinet, traveling, playing with Legos, and having adventures with his wife and children.
Photo of Christina Ogrin

Christina Ogrin

P.E.

  • Degrees:
    • Exercise as part of Science - U of U
    • Sport Pedagogy - U of U, SpEd PE-U
  • Educator since: 2008
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Emily Olaya

Emily Olaya

Science, Math

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: Elementary Education - BYU
    • Masters: Elementary Education - SUU
  • Educator since: 2004
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Anne Marie Pia-Nielson

Anne Marie Pia-Nielson

Math

  • Degrees:
    • Elementary Education Level 2 Math - USU
  • Educator since: 2014
  • Jefferson since: 2020
Photo of Mark Pierce

Mark Pierce

PE, Athletic Director

Bio
  • Degree Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Exercise and Sports Science, PE - University of Utah
  • Educator Since: 1979
  • Jefferson Since: 2013
  • Mr. Pierce was an All-American defensive back for the University of Utah football team. After graduating from college Mr. Pierce began teaching high school along with being the head football coach at Bear River High and Viewmont High before moving to the coaching staff at the University of Utah. After finishing coaching Mr. Pierce returned to teaching PE at Centerville Jr. High where he taught for many years before coming to Jefferson with his experience and love of teaching at the middle school level.
Photo of Douglas Roberts

Douglas Roberts

Drama, Theatre, Stage Production and Technology

Website: To audition for musical theatre & intermediate theatre classes, click on this link and type in the code: ige4sib
Bio "It wasn't until I was in college that I really started doing theatre.  I'm so thankful to the friends that invited me to try it out."
  • Arizona State University, BFA - Theatre in Education, with emphasis in stage techology
  • Lesley University, MA - Technology in Education
  • Educator since: 1993
  • Jefferson since: 2013
  • While attending Arizona State, Mr. Roberts received the "Excellence in Education" award and felt he found what he loved to do the most.  After teaching high school theatre in Texas for two years and 13 years of high school theatre in Colorado, he moved to Utah and taught at two different schools in the Jordan district before coming to Granite and Jefferson.  Mr. Roberts has continued a great tradition of theatre at Jefferson adding his own strengths to make the program and productions even stronger.  Mr. Roberts coordinates the stage crew for all assemblies and performances, directs the school musical and with his students (and some parent volunteers), designs and creates all of the sets used.
Photo of Kayla Rowberry

Kayla Rowberry

English 8, Honors

Bio
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in English-Ashford University
  • Educator since: 2018
  • Jefferson Since: 2018
Photo of Kiersten Smith

Kiersten Smith

Resource

  • Education:
    • BYU Special Education degree
    • University of Phoenix  Elementary Education degree
    • Weber State University ESL Endorsement
  • Educator since: 2005
  • Jefferson Since: 2019
Photo of Pamela Tafili

Pamela Tafili

Science

Bio
  • Degrees: Science
  • Educator since: 2011
  • Jefferson since: 2016
  • Ms. Tafili worked for years with the Navy working with her physics degree. After working with her kids beginning their own schooling Mrs. Tafili chose to become a science teacher. Before teaching at Jefferson, Ms. Tafili taught at Midvale Middle and Butler Middle school.
Photo of Shalane Tobler

Shalane Tobler

Special Education

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelor: Salish Kootenai College
    • Masters: WGU
  • Educator since: 2010
  • Jefferson since: 2021
Photo of Lauren Wilder

Lauren Wilder

English

  • Degrees:
    • Bachelors: English & Sec Ed – Westminster
    • Masters of English – U of Nevada, Reno
  • Educator since: 2015
  • Jefferson since: 2020
Photo of June Wilson-Wright

June Wilson-Wright

English 7-8 Special Education

Bio
  • Bachelor of Education – 1995 from University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Master of Education – 1999 from University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Majors – Curriculum and Instructions
  • Minor – Special Education
  • Endorsements: ESL , Numeracy, SIOP, (currently Administrative License)
  • Educator since: 2005
  • Jefferson since: 2005
  • In addition to teaching math, Mrs. Wilson-Wright is very involved in extracurricular activities coaching volleyball and basketball and serving as the MESA advisor. Mrs. Wilson-Wright also holds an administrative license and has expertise and experience with school community engagement.