Welcome to the Education Department!
Educational Director – Jolyn Mitchell
Jolyn Mitchell has been an educator since 1999 as a classroom teacher, teacher mentor and child advocate. Her experience in working with students of all backgrounds has fostered a love for the learning process and a student-centered approach to education. She has a BS in elementary education, an MS in curriculum and instruction as well as an Ed S. in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University in Nashville. She has experience in public and private education and has served her school communities in many ways; such as athletic director, emergency response team, mentoring programs and more. She loves hiking, skiing, biking and reading. Jolyn is a mother of 5 children and 15 grandchildren.
Contact information: Jolyn@maplelakeacademy.com Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Math Teacher – Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens Graduated from Southern Utah University with degrees and certifications in Mathematics, Computer Science, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, and Furniture & Cabinet Making. He began his professional career as a high school mathematics teacher and coach in Utah. Jeff served on curriculum development teams at both district and state levels, helped develop user interface for education software, and was part of a Fellowship at the University of Utah sponsored by the National Science Foundation to strengthen teaching competencies in rural schools. He then worked in the private sector as a software engineer and consultant for 25 years before returning to education as a mathematics teacher at Maple Lake Academy in 2011. In 2013, Jeff took an eighteen month leave from Maple Lake to serve an LDS mission with his wife in Texas where they digitally preserved old books and records. He returned to teaching at Maple Lake in January 2015 where he hopes to stay for a very long time.
Jeff enjoys the great southern Utah outdoors where he was born and raised. He likes most sports, really anything outdoors or involving a ball. He loves building fine furniture and custom cabinetry in his shop and being with his family, especially his 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Contact information: Jeff@Maplelakeacademy.com Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Science Teacher – Kelsey Parrish
Kelsey holds an MS in Biology with an emphasis in microbiology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a BA in Biology from Whittier College. Prior to joining Maple Lake Academy, she worked as a college instructor teaching Biology, Physiology, and Pre-Med courses for just over a decade. She also has more than ten years of experience teaching both high school and middle school. Kelsey loves science and enjoys teaching students at all levels.
Originally from Southern California, Kelsey now resides in Utah with her 3 children and their Coonhound, Oakley. She enjoys PC gaming, reading, writing, and traveling with her children.
Contact information: Kelsey@Maplelakeacademy.com Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
English Teacher – Fatima Alcantara
Fatima has been teaching for 6 years and has experience with college students as well as secondary and elementary education. She holds a BA in Professional Studies and a TESOL certificate (Teaching English as a Second Language). Fatima believes the best part about teaching is getting to know the students and creating relationships with them and always feels it is bittersweet when they graduate or embark on their next endeavors. She strives to be flexible, encouraging, and creative in the learning environment at Maple Lake Academy to help all students reach their full potential.
Fatima is originally from Southern California but moved to Utah 7 years ago with her husband, three children, and their cute Cocker/Shitsu mix.
Contact information: Fatima@MapleLakeAcademy.com Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Social Sciences Teacher – Hunter Knudsen
Hunter recently graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in History. He was excited to have the opportunity to join Maple Lake Academy’s faculty because the school provides an environment where students and teachers work together and figure out how to best meet their learning needs.
Hunter loves history, the study of government, and learning about new cultures. He enjoys camping, reading, and spending time with his wife and son.
Contact information: Hunter@MapleLakeAcademy.com Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
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