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!

Alina was raised in Alpine Utah, and moved to SLC during high school. During her senior year at Highland High, she enjoyed a focus on child development curriculum. She worked at a preschool within the Child Behavioral Therapy Unit, helping to integrate kids with autism into the classroom setting.

After some college experience, Alina enjoyed traveling and being a nanny to many children in Portland, OR, Denver, CO and Kauai, HI.

Alina began working with Montessori curriculum during summer programs, and has loved working with the Infant/Toddler program at Elizabeth Academy. She is in her third year with EA, and attends UMC conferences and trainings whenever possible.