Diann Jeppson is devoted to creating fulfilling learning experiences for students. She is the former program manager for a large online middle and high school. With 22 years’ experience teaching her own children, 16 years’ experience as a family education coach, and having produced 18 annual education conferences, Diann is delighted to put her expertise and experience to work, as the director of Ensign Peak Academy.
Diann’s experience also includes serving as producer of an annual youth civics conference called “Simulations Week,” held in Utah for 25 years, and as the producer of the Liberty Girls program (history-based experiential learning for children) for 23 years. She has five years’ experience teaching and directing American Youth Leadership Institute, a youth civics education organization. Diann has fulfilled numerous speaking engagements at education conferences and seminars in the U.S. and Canada. She has chaired four non-profit educational organizations and has 10+ years’ experience as a parliamentary procedure consultant and trainer. She is a certified tour guide for the State of Utah. She has a BA from a private, classical liberal arts college.
Diann enjoyed performing for eight years in a family bluegrass band called “The Wildflowers” (guitar and vocals). She and her husband Adam live on a small homestead in Mount Pleasant, a Central-Utah town in a secluded high-mountain desert valley. They raise alpacas and other farm critters. Adam is the town gunsmith. Adam and Diann have four delightful daughters, handsome sons-in-law and ten terrific grandchildren. Connect with Diann personally on Facebook. View Diann’s work and service experience profile on LinkedIn.
Kimberly Bingham
Middle School Program Director
Administrative and Marketing Support Specialist
Contact Info:
kimberly.bingham@ensignpeakacademy.com
520-834-0359
Kimberly Bingham is an online educator and homeschooling mother of four. She currently teaches English as a Second Language through an online platform, and has worked as an international relations consultant. Prior to educating her children at home, Kimberly served as a Logistics Officer in the United States Marine Corps, successfully completing deployment missions to Afghanistan and Iraq. She received commendation for providing seamless logistics support to 5 forward-deployed operating bases simultaneously in support of global operations. She enjoys volunteering with the Red Cross, and Kimberly is the Illinois State Ambassador for Home School Legal Defense Association Compassion, which allows her to serve homeschooling families in need. Kimberly believes deeply in integrity, diligence, and service to others. She is a life-long learner with a passion for foreign languages, music, and Brazilian martial arts. Kimberly is excited to be part of the Ensign Peak Academy team!
Alyssa Jensen
Elementary School Program Director
Contact Info:
elementary@ensignpeakacademy.com
801-694-9072
Alyssa Jensen is a dedicated wife and mother to five amazing children. The Jensen family has been homeschooling for the past eight years and have really enjoyed learning in a gospel centered setting. Alyssa graduated first from Ricks College (now BYUI) and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from BYU. Alyssa has taught English in public schools and online.
Aside from running a busy household, Alyssa has extensive experience in managing home businesses, handling social media for health and fitness professionals, and organizing homeschool co-ops and education programs. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing and implementing a physical education program at her local YMCA.
Alyssa grew up in West Valley City, Utah where she met her very own knight in shining armor (Sir Lancer of Granger High School). Alyssa married Paul Jensen in 2001. They have moved across the country several times, living in Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina and now in League City, Texas.
Alyssa is an avid learner who finds joy in teaching and witnessing the moment of understanding in her students. Her most fulfilling service was teaching early morning seminary. As a certified personal trainer, behavior and nutrition specialist, Alyssa is passionate about health and wellness. She enjoys staying active and exploring the world with her family.
Desirea Forbes
Math Program Director
Teaching Textbooks License Manager
Contact Info:
math@ensignpeakacademy.com
(701) 720-9193
Desirea Forbes is excited to be working at Ensign Peak Academy. She has a passion for teaching and helping students achieve their goals. She especially loves watching students learn and grow!
Desirea was born and raised in Emigration Canyon Township just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Mathematics Education. After spending a year and a half teaching math in Utah’s public schools, she moved with her husband to Japan to support him in his United States Air Force career. While in Japan, she spent the time teaching English to Japanese elementary students.
While following her husband around for his career, Desirea and their four kids have lived in multiple states and have experienced life in several different places. Desirea spent several years working as a Real Estate Agent and property manager, earning Rookie of the Year awards in her brokerage firm.
Desirea has a great love for her Savior Jesus Christ and understands that learning is part of the process to become like Him. She currently resides with her family in Virginia.
Katie Perry
Registrar and Tuition Manager:
High School Transcripts
Middle School Grade Reports
Elementary School Certificates
Records Requests
Enrollment Verification
Tuition invoicing
Contact Info:
315-882-5713
registrar@ensignpeakacademy.com
Katie Perry earned a B.S. degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Brigham Young University in 2004. After graduating from BYU, she worked as a GIS Specialist for five years, first for a county government in Maryland and then for an environmental engineering firm in Utah and Massachusetts. Katie’s GIS work involved analyzing and processing geographic data and producing maps for a variety of reports and public and private projects.
Katie and her husband have six children, the oldest of whom graduated from Ensign Peak Academy. They currently live in the Syracuse, New York area where Katie spends her early morning hours empowering youth by teaching seminary. Katie loves traveling, often sharing her travel experiences to Greece, Switzerland, France, England, Iceland, and Costa Rica with her Earth Science students as they learn about the amazing earth together. She especially loves camping, hiking, kayaking, and just being outside. She has a passion for cooking and gardening, and enjoys working on family history.
Laura Waite
Academic Coaching Manager, Language Arts Specialist
Contact Info:
435-819-0617
languagearts@ensignpeakacademy.com
Laura Waite is an enthusiastic educator who loves to teach and learn every day. She grew up in California, earned an Associate Degree from Ricks College (Brigham Young University-Idaho), married a very handsome and talented man, and raised six children – all girls except five! After 20 years, she returned to college through Grand Canyon University’s online program and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education. She holds endorsements in business and marketing as well as gifted and talented education. She has a deep appreciation for literature and is passionate about helping others to express their thoughts and feelings through writing.
When she’s not at school, Laura loves walking on the beach, hiking to waterfalls, and paddling her kayak. She also enjoys quilting, traveling, reading, watching movies, and playing games with her family- especially the grandchildren. One of her more ambitious goals is to visit all of the temples in the United States. She currently lives in Richfield, Utah, where she looks forward to many new adventures.
Robin Hastings
PreK Program Director
Contact Info:
832-702-4405
robin.hastings@ensignpeakacademy.com
Robin Hastings brings a depth of experience in early childhood education. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from BYU, and working for a US Congressman for three years, she joyfully spent the next twenty-three years as a full time mom of five children. As a mother, she organized and ran home preschool groups for her own children–the blessings of which she still sees playing out in the lives of her now grown children. Her desire to continue teaching children drove her to obtain a teaching certificate in the public school system. She was delighted for the opportunity to spend two years as an aide in early childhood special education while pursuing her teaching certificate. Robin then went on to teach special education in first through fourth grade for three years, and then pre-K for two years with the full-time inclusion of children with special education services. Robin joined Ensign Peak Academy as a mentor, coach and pre-K curriculum developer in the fall of 2024.
On a personal note, Robin loves to read, play the piano, go on daytrips to check out the amazing things in life around her, do family history and temple work, and go on exercise walks in our beautiful world. Above all, her favorite thing is to spend time with her family! She’s excited to meet and support you in your homeschool journey.
Felecia Hanosek
Honors Program Director
Contact Info:
910-639-1066
honors@ensignpeakacademy.com
Felicia Hanosek has a Master’s Degree in Humanities from Cal State University -Dominguez Hills. She taught Humanities online for BYUI for 10 years and early morning Seminary for 6 years. She and her husband, Ray, homeschooled their 6 children for 12 years, and moved as many times (military). One child was born on military deployment (accompanied tour), and the last one was born at home (not on purpose) with Grandma Webb as catcher/ “midwife” (surprise!).
Felicia loves teaching, especially watching student’s brains engage, find curiosity, and start to dig deep! She is especially passionate about media literacy, and the importance of knowing and recognizing worldviews and cultural paradigms that are not consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. She enjoys literature, cooking, studying Biblical Hebrew and watching her 17 year old son in mock trial competitions and 15 year old daughter’s volleyball games. The family loves music, the outdoors (hiking, camping, snowshoeing, beach trips, etc.) and travel of all kinds.
Avalie Muhlestein
High School Counselor
Contact Info:
801-885-7922
counseling@ensignpeakacademy.com
Avalie Muhlestein is an enthusiastic lifelong learner who loves connecting with others and sharing knowledge. She earned a BA in English from Brigham Young University and a MA in Education from Pacific University. She met her husband Trent at BYU, they were married in the Mt. Timpanogos, Utah Temple in 1998.
Avalie has worked as a teacher in public school, Seminary, and homeschool groups. She volunteered as a tutor for student-athletes taking collegiate and high school level courses in Family Science, Psychology, Communications, English, Humanities and Social Science. She has homeschooled since 2011, and has mentored youth and written curriculum for various organizations. She loves to read, her current favorite authors are CS Lewis, the Apostle Luke, Brandon Sanderson and Timothy Ballard. She loves to serve in the temple, she is currently serving with her husband in their local temple as ordinance workers. She loves to travel and meet people. She has traveled to Central America, Europe and the South Pacific. Her happy place is under palm trees next to the ocean. She has lived in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, England, Hawaii, Washington and Utah. Avalie believes that every person is born for a unique purpose, and that there is somewhere meaningful for everyone to serve in God’s kingdom. She loves to connect youth with true principles and watch as they discover their unique talents and partner with the Savior to find their path to a meaningful life full of service. She loves Ensign Peak Academy and is honored and excited to be working among such excellent mentors and students.
