Brenda is a dedicated Infant/Toddler Interventionist with a deep commitment to supporting early developmental growth in young children. This is her fourth year at Elizabeth Academy, following over 20 years of experience as a paraprofessional with the Emery County School District. Additionally, Brenda brings valuable experience as a youth program counselor, further enhancing her expertise in supporting and nurturing young learners.
At Elizabeth Academy, Brenda applies her extensive background in early childhood education and special education to create and implement individualized intervention plans tailored to the unique needs of infants and toddlers. Her approach emphasizes providing supportive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate strategies to help children overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Renowned for her patience, creativity, and thorough understanding of early development, Brenda excels in collaborating with families and other professionals to ensure a cohesive and effective support system. She is dedicated to staying informed about the latest research and best practices in infant and toddler intervention to deliver exceptional care.
Outside of her professional role, Brenda enjoys traveling to new places and spending time on the ranch/farm in Idaho. These experiences enrich her perspective and contribute to her effectiveness in working with children. Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication make her a highly valued advocate for both children and their families.
Prior to joining the Elizabeth Academy team, Majo taught Early Childhood for 8 years at Desert Garden Montessori in Phoenix. She has an AMS Early Childhood Montessori credential through Arizona Montessori Teacher Education Program. Majo recently completed the Foundations of Montessori Inclusion in Elementary training through the Hellbruegge Foundation (Europe), Loyola University, and the Oregon Montessori Association. She is currently continuing her education as she works towards an AMS Montessori Inclusion Endorsement through West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program.
Majo is a Mexico City native and was able to enjoy 15 years of the Arizona sun. She and her husband Mike have three children together and enjoy spending most of their time outdoors. In her free time, you can usually find her skiing, camping, hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. She believes in the philosophy, “it takes a village.”
Dani has a Bachelor’s degree in School Age Child and Adolescent Development and Special Education from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining the Elizabeth Academy / Garfield School staff, Dani worked as a Behavior Therapist providing ABA therapy for Alternative Behavior Strategies at the Elizabeth Academy campus. She has worked as a special educator in both San Francisco and Denmark. She also has experience working with adults with severe traumatic, physical, and developmental disabilities.
Dani enjoys traveling, hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, biking, healthy cooking and playing volleyball.
Layne has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education with an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. In 2021 she started teaching in a Special Education Resource room position and then taught in a Self-contained ASD classroom. She moved to Utah from Michigan and is now the upper elementary interventionist at Elizabeth Academy!
In her spare time she loves spending time with her dog Alice, hiking with her family, camping, and traveling!
Jennifer earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Canisius College of Buffalo, NY in 1999. She holds a Gifted and Talented Endorsement from The University of Utah and is certified to teach grades K-6. She has been a part of the professional community at Elizabeth Academy since 2013.
Both of Jennifer’s sons, Dennis and Dante attended Elizabeth Academy and are now at Garfield School. Jennifer has always had a profound passion for the education and development of the whole child. She is committed and eager to facilitate the growth of the students at Elizabeth Academy.
Olga Malloy is an innovative educator and child development specialist with a diverse background spanning physics, Waldorf education, and curative approaches to learning. Her career has been shaped by a deep-seated passion for understanding how children learn, particularly those with special needs.
After obtaining a Master of Science in Physics in Ukraine in 1992, Olga began her professional journey in academia, teaching undergraduate courses and conducting research at Tel-Aviv University. However, her innate calling to work with young children led her to pursue Waldorf Teacher Training at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, CA, marking a significant shift in her career path.
Olga’s educational journey began conventionally, but her keen observations and commitment to her students’ well-being led her to question traditional methods. She noticed a pattern: despite the application of seemingly holistic approaches, some children consistently struggled, falling behind academically, displaying restless behavior, and appearing profoundly unhappy. Determined to make a difference, Olga made it her mission to reach these children who were not responding to conventional educational techniques.
This commitment drove Olga to expand her knowledge and explore alternative educational philosophies. She immersed herself in the works of influential thinkers such as Rudolf Steiner, Moshe Feldenkrais, Nikolai Bernstein, Lev Vygotsky, and Gordon Neufeld. Through years of study and practical application, Olga developed a unique capacity to uncover the underlying causes of learning and behavioral difficulties.
Olga’s diverse experience includes leading Early Childhood classrooms, elementary and middle school classrooms, teaching music in elementary school grades, and overseeing summer camps and aftercare programs. Her work with children requiring specialized support deepened her interest in Curative Education, which she found to be a transformative approach in the field of education.
Driven by a deep sense of purpose, in 2019, Olga founded the Little School in Fryeburg, a non-profit initiative in Maine dedicated to providing a holistic and individualized education for children. For three years, she nurtured a one-room schoolhouse classroom for students from kindergarten to eighth grade, fostering an environment that celebrates the unique abilities of each child.
Olga’s work extends beyond direct interaction with children. She is passionate about empowering parents and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children’s learning journey at home. Her workshops and educational programs offer transformative experiences for both children and parents, fostering a collaborative approach to education.
