Jasmine has experience working with children 5 years old and younger. Before coming to teach at Elizabeth Academy in 2019 she worked at Buttons and Bows for two years as a lead teacher with the 2 year olds and 3-4 year olds. She has worked at Upstart, an early childhood readiness program where she helped parents and children get ready for kindergarten using an online program. She has also worked at St. John’s Child Development Center with the 4-5 year olds as an assistant teacher.

Jasmine was born and raised in Salt Lake City.

Gabby is currently working on a Special Education degree through Salt Lake Community College. She has five years of experience working with children and three years in customer service. She also speaks intermediate Spanish.

In her free time she enjoys spending time in the mountains and climbing with her husband.

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University. She completed her Montessori Primary training through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS). She was introduced to Montessori when her son attended a Montessori school while stationed in California. As a mother and educator, she was drawn to the Montessori method because of the focus on educating the whole child, meeting the needs of each student, and the caring community.

Michelle enjoys creating, learning, and being outdoors with her husband, Chris, and their children, Will and Sydney.

Miriam has a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from Brigham Young University Idaho with an emphasis in family life education. She has 3 years of experience working with children at several schools, two of which were Montessori influenced. Miriam has also worked with children as a nanny and as a family specialist. She has developed a love and appreciation for the Montessori philosophy and is grateful to be working with children in an environment that seeks to nurture children in a holistic manner.

In her free time Miriam enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on outdoor adventures, attending performances, and finding new ways to grow and develop as a person. 

Roni has a Bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University. She originally studied in the pre-veterinary program at UC Davis but completed her degree at Humboldt State University after discovering her passion for teaching. She has been an educator for 20 years, working with students of all ages—from preschool through high school, as well as adults.

In 2003, Roni moved to Barcelona, Spain, to immerse herself in a Spanish-speaking culture and prepare for a bilingual teaching credential program. Over the past 20 years, she has lived, worked, and formed a family in Barcelona. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Hebrew (her maternal language), and has a high level of comprehension in Catalan.

In Barcelona, Roni has worked as an English teacher, high school language assistant, and English program coordinator. In 2019, she began working at a Montessori school with preschool-aged children, an experience that has inspired her in new and wonderful ways. She is a certified Montessori co-guide from Montessori Canela in Barcelona and has undergone training in Positive Discipline, Nonviolent Communication, Mindfulness, and Music Therapy to enhance her teaching style.

Roni is energetic and passionate about working with children. Outside of work, she is a mother to three wonderful girls of mixed race. Her family background and current family reflect true diversity. Tolerance, communication, love, and understanding are very important to her.

She enjoys visiting museums, discovering nature, hiking, camping, gardening, and participating in water-related activities.

Emillie has a Bachelor of Science degree in General Education from Utah State University and an Early Childhood Montessori credential through the Institute for Guided Studies. Prior to joining the Elizabeth Academy / Garfield School staff, she worked as a lead teacher for three years in an Early Childhood classroom at Dancing Moose Montessori School in West Valley.

Hadley was originally a philosophy and premed student, but she fell in love with the field of education in 2015, after taking a job at a preschool in Seattle. Since then, she has come to realize there’s no other kind of work in the world she would rather do. She completed her Elementary Education Bachelors of Science with the University of Utah and is currently working toward an IMC Early Childhood credential.

When not at work, Hadley likes to embroider, watch movies, dance, backpack, and do all kinds of arts and crafts. She enjoys vintage fashion and mending or making clothes. Currently, she lives in Salt Lake City with her partner, their 3 massive cats, and about two dozen house plants; but she’s lived in 11 ½ different US states throughout her life so far. Each new place came with new people and a different way of living. Over the years, all these experiences taught her the importance of being able to simultaneously honor the things that make each of us unique and recognize the things that make all of us human. She is thrilled to be part of the outstanding Elizabeth Academy learning community!

Joy has her Associates Degree from Snow College. She started her career in childcare in 2020 as a daycare teacher. She has two years of experience as a Pre-K teacher. She has experience with ABA therapy, and is excited to learn more about the Montessori method. Joy spends her time with family, making artwork, walking her dog, reading, and in nature.

Domita has an associates degree in Early Childhood education and experience in project-based learning. She joined the Elizabeth Academy / Garfield School staff in 2021, bringing seven years of teaching experience. Domita worked with infant, toddlers, and preschool aged students at the Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage, California.

Her favorite hobbies include reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and fur babies.

I’m Gillian! I was born and raised along the Wasatch Front, and have called Salt Lake City home for the past eight years. My journey into the world of intuitive and empowered childcare began shortly after high school when I had the opportunity to volunteer at an orphanage in Romania. I spent 5 months in Europe, and it was there that I was first introduced to the Montessori method, Italy of all places. It sparked a deep-seated passion for this unique approach to education. Since that pivotal experience, I have immersed myself in the Montessori community, working in various private education settings within the Salt Lake City area. My career has also extended to roles as a household manager and private nanny for several local families, further enriching my understanding and practice of child-centered care and maintaining a safe environment. I have a heart full of playfulness, endless curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to finding joy in life, and I feel that embodies the spirit of Montessori education. My approach to teaching is a perfect alignment with the nature of work in a childcare setting, where the focus is on nurturing each child’s individual strengths and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Outside of educating, I love to be outside hiking, camping, traveling, and exploring. I am so thankful to be here at Elizabeth Academy!