Diann Jeppson
Founder and Academy Director
High School Program Manager
Elementary School Program Manager
Contact Info:
- admin@ensignpeakacademy.com
- 801-450-5016
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 24 years as producer of an annual youth civics conference called “Simulations Week,” 23 years’ as producer of the Liberty Girls program (history-based experiential learning for children) and 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 ensemble called “The Wildflowers” (guitar and vocals). She and her husband Adam live on a 2.5 acre homestead in Mount Pleasant, a small Central-Utah town in a secluded high-mountain desert valley. Adam is the town gunsmith. Adam and Diann have four delightful daughters, handsome sons-in-law and nine terrific little 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!
Desirea Forbes
Math Program Director
Contact Info:
- desi.forbes@gmail.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. Along with teaching at Ensign Peak Academy, she teaches early morning seminary in Virginia, where she currently resides.
Kursten Mason
World Languages Program Director
Contact Info:
- 801-867-6430
- worldlanguages@ensignpeakacademy.com
Kursten Mason has been an educator her entire life, from teaching ‘summer school’ to her siblings at a young age to teaching and mentoring in public, private, and homeschools. She attended the University of Utah, served a church mission in France, Paris and returned to finish her degree in French Teaching with a double minor in Psychology and Special Education from Brigham Young University. Years later, she was homeschooling her three children and helping to found Commonwealth Schools while teaching LEMI projects such as Key of Liberty and Sword of Freedom. She’s been a mentor at Paradigm Schools for the past eight years and is excited to join the staff of Ensign Peak Academy.
Her educational passions are languages and history with a special love for French culture and our Founding Fathers and mothers, especially George Washington, John and Abigail Adams. There is power and inspiration in learning about great men and women. She believes that the most rewarding experience is to share that passion with youth and to watch their eyes light up as they find something that excites and encourages them to learn and do hard things.
She lives in Herriman, Utah with her husband, their youngest son (leaving soon on a mission to Montreal Canada, French speaking), their cat and a flock of chickens. She enjoys time with family, babysitting their grand-puppy, walking, hiking, Yoga, reading, and playing games.
Katie Perry
Registrar:
- High School Transcripts
- Middle School Grade Reports
- Elementary School Certificates
- Records Requests
- Enrollment Verification
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, and they currently live in the Syracuse, New York area. For four years, Katie served on the board of a local homeschool cooperative with approximately 150 students, and during that time Katie taught a variety of courses at the co-op, including Math Art, Forensic Science, and more. Katie also teaches English as a second language online, and this year will be her eighth year homeschooling her own children.
Katie loves traveling, especially if the destination involves camping or hiking. She has a passion for cooking and gardening, and enjoys working on family history.
Laura Waite
Language Arts Specialist
Contact Info:
435-819-0617
languagearts@ensignpeakacademy.com
Laura Waite 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 went back to college at Grand Canyon University online and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education. She has also earned endorsements in business and marketing and gifted and talented education.
Laura just moved to Richfield, Utah where she and her husband are planning to build a house. She has two granddaughters and one more on the way! She loves walking on the beach, hiking to waterfalls, and paddling her kayak. Her favorite activities include writing, traveling, reading, watching movies, and playing games with her family. One of her more ambitious goals is to visit all of the temples in the United States. She also loves to learn and teach and is excited to do it every day!