Jennifer Barr
2025-2026 Mentor: American History (self-paced), Ancient World History (self-paced)
Jennifer Barr graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with her Bachelor’s in University Studies with an emphasis in Business Management and has an Associates in Environmental Economics. She has a broad knowledge of marketing, accounting, education, human resources, and project management, which she has used throughout her career as a small business owner, substitute teacher and most recently as Director of her local library. Additionally, she is an active volunteer in her community, serving on local government committees, and in organizations such as the local food pantry, American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, as a wildlife rehabilitator and more. Jennifer has also volunteered for 20 years as a reading tutor, substituted at her local schools, and helped as a homeschool teacher for her extended family. She has always loved reading, learning, and the written word and has helped to foster a love of these things in others, as well.
Katie Perry
2025-2026 Mentor: Earth Science (live and self-paced)
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.
Enjoy this Interview with Katie Perry to learn more.
Avalie Muhlestein
2025-2026 Mentor: Family Science (live and self-paced), Health (2nd Sem LC 2, 4, 6), American History (LC 4, 5) Senior Capstone Project
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. She has completed more than 100 hours of professional Family Science trainings and certifications including parenting, brain development, addiction, eating disorders, suicide, trauma, attachment, special needs, foster care, adoption, loss and grief, caregiver support, and relationship communication.
Avalie is passionate about the sanctity of the family and parental choice in education, she is active in promoting legal policies that support and protect children and the family. She is a strong defender of the Constitution and believes that liberty is a sacred responsibility. She and Trent served as Utah Foster Parents, have worked with abused children and youth and have experienced the Foster-Adopt process. Trent and Avalie are proud parents and grandparents and live on a homestead surrounded by a rotating menagerie of livestock and pets.
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.
Carolyn Marriott
2025-2026 Mentor: Spanish 1 and 2 (live and self-paced)
Carolyn Marriott has a passion for learning and teaching. Besides homeschooling her own seven children, she has decades of experience teaching youth in church and academic settings. Valuing community, she and her children participated in homeschool groups in Washington and Utah where she taught a variety of topics from Spanish, to U.S. History, to Economics. She currently thrives on learning with the students at Ensign Peak Academy.
Carolyn has traveled in Chile, Central America, Europe, Canada, Argentina, and the United States, broadening her appreciation for the beautiful world and its people. She served a mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and received a BA in Spanish from Brigham Young University.
Currently, Carolyn lives with her husband and mother in Wallsburg, Utah. She loves gardening, reading and discussing classics, sewing aprons, going on long walks, and hosting “poetry teatime” for her grandchildren.
Enjoy this Interview with Carolyn Marriott to learn more.
Felicia Hanosek
High School Honors Program Director, 2025-2026 Mentor: High School Honors Seminars
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.
Victoria Rutherford
2025-2026 Mentor: World Literature (LC 4, 6)
Victoria Rutherford has a master’s degree in comparative literature from the University of Utah where she specialized in German Romanticism, and a master’s degree in the Classical Tradition from the University of Reading, UK where she focused on Greek tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and the uses and abuses of classical tropes in general Western literature. She has been teaching reading, writing, and literature courses in various academic settings for over 15 years, and she currently teaches at Lane Community College in addition to Ensign Peak Academy. Her favorite writer (at the moment) is John Steinbeck.
Victoria loves to hike and to commune in nature. She also enjoys choral music and performs with a local community choir. A lover of humanity as well as the humanities, Victoria has worked closely with children in foster care and has done extensive training in trauma-informed education practices and the cognitive and developmental effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the learning process. Victoria resides in Eugene, Oregon with her jovial husband and two mischievous sons.
Jennifer Shaw
2025-2026 Mentor: Chemistry (live and self-paced), Life Skills (live and self-paced)
Jennifer Shaw is a passionate person who loves people and experiencing life!
Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and has had various amazing jobs from air quality monitoring (at an air force base where they exploded bombs and tested rocket engines), to making semiconductors and running multi-million dollar projects.
Jennifer “retired” from engineering and started her favorite job, which is being a mom! Her passion and devotion are to her family and to the other kids in her life, whether they are known through 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Heroic Youth, mentoring, teaching, or educational travel.
In addition to homeschooling her own kids, Jennifer has taught math, science, chemistry, ballroom dance and sign language in various homeschool co-ops, Benjamin Franklin Academy, Liberty Hills, Paradigm Charter School, Overture Learning and now Ensign Peak Academy. Jennifer loves to inspire scholars as they explore this awesome universe together. She has discovered first hand that it is much more rewarding to watch a person’s face, heart and mind light up when they discover something new than it is to complete million dollar projects.
Jennifer likes all sorts of experiences and adventure. Her favorite hobbies include: scuba diving, riding 4-wheelers, hiking, camping, traveling, cruising, audiobooks, creating things and being with people–especially her husband, three amazing kids, son-in-law, extended family and her new granddaughter.
Enjoy this Interview with Jennifer Shaw to learn more.
Laura Waite
2025-2026 Mentor: High School World Literature (LC 2, 3 and self-paced), English: Writing Adventures (LC 1, 2, 3 and self-paced) American Literature (self-paced), English: Writing Dynamics (self-paced), Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (self-paced), English: Writing Essentials (self-paced), IXL Account Manager
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.
Enjoy this Interview with Laura Waite to learn more.
Heidi Anderson
2025-2026 Mentor: World Literature (LC 5), English: Writing Adventures (LC 4, 5, 6)
Heidi Anderson attended Brigham Young University-Idaho where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English Education. She did her student teaching in Gilbert, Arizona and then taught reading and writing in the public school system in Arizona for four years. After that she focused on teaching private piano lessons out of her home, and has been doing that for the past 11 years.
Heidi has lived in many different places, but currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and three children. They love the climate and seasons in Raleigh as well as escaping to the beach when they want some relaxation.
Some of Heidi’s favorite things are reading, sewing, and playing piano. She also enjoys traveling and has done so extensively. She can’t wait to add more places to her list of where she’s been.
Kimberly Bingham
2025-2025 Mentor: Financial Literacy (live and self-paced), Computer Technology (live and self-paced), Health (1st Sem LC 1, 5, 6 and self-paced), Principles of Leadership (live and self-paced), Human Geography (self-paced)
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!
Jeff Jensen
2025-2026 Mentor: American History (LC 2), Ancient World History (LC 1, 3), Senior Capstone Project
Mr. Jensen’s enthusiasm for the Gospel and teaching will knock your socks off! He has been described as “ultra cheery in an almost unhuman way” by many of his former students. Mr. J sees the light of Christ in all and tries his best to teach to that divine potential and to help all feel the spirit which draws out that spark of amazing awesomeness we all possess. He is a beloved mentor for youth and has taught history, geography, and government and economics courses for ten years. He has been with Ensign Peak Academy since it was first established. He was recognized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as a noteworthy Reagan historian and invited to address them in September 2018.
He has published articles in peer reviewed history and academic journals on the RMS Titanic and served as an assistant editor and historical consultant on three BYU publications in the “Saints at War” program. He graduated from BYU with a BA in History and a BS in Child & Human Development. He hopes to one day launch his dream project, “Highways of Heroes,” honoring our nation’s veterans. He enjoyed serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Korea and has spent time as a service volunteer at two orphanages in Thailand.
For 20 years, he has been active in the Sunday School organization, serving as a teacher multiple times and as Sunday School president on both the Ward and Stake level on multiple occasions. As a High Councilor in 3 Stakes, he has overseen programs with special needs members, YSA & single members, addiction recovery programs, and is currently working with the Young Women in his stake. Harmonizing his faith with his teaching talents is one of his greatest joys, and one he feels blessed to share with your children. He is also working to help youth in financial need receive scholarships for educational travel to the Holy Land and other spiritually significant sites with the Gather-NOW program.
Jeff’s greatest passion is for his faith and family. He loves his three enthusiastic and passionate boys who always keep him entertained and on his toes. Hiking by day and stargazing by night, being outdoors surrounded by nature is Jeff’s happy place. He also loves relaxing to movie scores, occasionally escaping to Middle-earth, chatting with complete strangers, and finding beauty and meaning in cultures across the world.
Jennifer Whiting
2025-2026 Mentor: Physics (live and self-paced)
Jennifer Whiting achieved an M.S. degree in Physics from Brigham Young University in 2018, in addition to her earlier attainment of a B.S. in Physics and Physics Teaching in 2013. Following her graduation from BYU, she dedicated herself to the full-time care of her family. During her pursuit of a Master’s degree, Jenny’s research involved measuring, analyzing, and processing acoustical data for the directivity of the spoken human voice. Additionally, she used signal processing techniques to enhance a real-time convolution system, and used it to study vocal effort within simulated acoustic environments. Jenny, along with her husband and three beloved daughters, has recently embarked on a new adventure in the Syracuse, New York area. She pursues many hobbies, from baking and quilting to reading and playing the piano and organ. She also enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, snowshoeing, and photographing snowflakes. Beyond these interests, Jenny is dedicated to clarifying basic physical concepts, consistently striving to make physics accessible, exciting, and delightful to all who encounter it.
Desirae Forbes
2025-2026 Mentor: Entrepreneurship (live and self-paced)
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.
April Brede
2025-2026 Mentor: Studio Art (live and self-paced), High School Art Appreciation (live and self-paced)
April Brede earned her B.A. degree in English from the University of Utah in 2001. After graduation, April taught high school English in private institutions for nearly a decade. Most recently she has taught English as a second language for an online platform (VIPKID) for the past eight years. Despite an obvious background in English, April is also passionate about art.
April made it a point to curate a fabulous art education through continuing education courses, in person courses and online courses along with years of hard work and practice. For the past two years, April has been instructing in-person classes at Art Nook. Her students range from five year olds through adults. April feels that art is a skill that can be learned and believes that anyone can create art with the right instruction. She believes that because we were created, we have a divine need to create! April wants to inspire young artists to create art that gives hope, celebrates God’s beautiful creations, and bears witness of individual worth.
April and her husband currently live in Aiken, South Carolina where they enjoy the outdoors with their Shelties and horses. They have two return missionary sons and a daughter-in-law, all whom currently live in Provo and attend BYU.
Enjoy this Interview with April Brede to learn more.
Benjamin Muhlestein
2025-2026 Mentor: World Literature (LC 1), American History (LC 1, 3, 6), Modern World History (self-paced), Senior Capstone Project
Benjamin S. Muhlestein resides in Overton, Nevada and is a husband and father of a beautiful wife and six wonderful children. He served a Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. He received his Bachelor’s of Paralegal Studies from Utah Valley University in 2002, and earned his Master’s Degree in Classical Liberal Arts from George Wythe University in 2016. He has mentored youth and adults nationally and internationally for many years. He taught Seminary for an entire school year as a student teacher. He is the Founder of Illuminating the Light Within, Restoringthefounders.com, The Quintilian School of Oratory, and The George Washington Character Curricula. Benjamin has a deep passion for learning and teaching principles of liberty and freedom, and has great faith in the rising generation of youth to rise to the full potential of who God needs them to become.
Denning Burton
2025-2026 Mentor: High School Music Appreciation (live and self-paced), Music Theory (live), Ancient World History (LC 4, 5), Career and College Prep (live and self-paced)
Denning Burton is a passionate musician and lifelong learner with a Bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies. He studied songwriting and studio guitar recording in Nashville, TN, under the tutelage of Mike Payne. Denning is the creator of “Sherlock the Musical,” an
original musical based on the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. This production has been performed by numerous theaters in the United States and Canada and has amassed over 3 million streams on its cast album on Spotify and Apple Music. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Composing for Film, TV, & Video Games from Thinkspace Education and the University of Bournemouth, U.K. Denning resides in Alberta, Canada, with his wife and their new baby.
Rebecca Nichols
2025-2026 Mentor: Biology (live and self-paced)
Dr. Rebecca Nichols (aka Doc) has a PhD from Indiana University in Behavioral Health Science, and Master’s in Community Health, and Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from Utah State University. She holds a Professional Utah State Secondary Teaching License and Professional Endorsements in K-12 Art, Biology 1 and 2, Science Core, and an Associate Endorsement in Earth Science.
She is a veteran teacher with over 30 years teaching experience. She has taught a variety of topics to students of all ages, and in all settings. From elementary art and music lessons given in the classroom or privately in her home, to college-level anatomy and physiology, human dissection, and health science classes, to public jr. high and high school science, Doc has almost taught it all.
Doc is a native of Utah, wife and mother of 5 amazing children. She served a mission to Siberia, Russia not long after the fall of communism (‘94-’96) and learned first hand an appreciation for the great liberties we enjoy. She is an eternal learner, loves creating beautiful things in her studio, on the piano, or in her garden, is passionate about the arts and sciences, raising her family, and expanding the mind of anyone who will listen. In her spare time she walks her dog, reads, creates, plays games with her family, does genealogy, watches documentaries, volunteers, and takes as many road trips as she can.
She is very excited to work with the students at Ensign Peak Academy, and for the opportunity to share her testimony that all things truly testify of God.
Laurence Hill
2025-2026 Mentor: Yoga
Hi, I’m Laurence. I grew up in Quebec, Canada with my 7 siblings and parents. I was homeschooled for most of my childhood, and absolutely loved it. Being homeschooled gave me the chance to go to many different countries to perform with my family and to testify of eternal families. I served my mission in French Polynesia, Tahiti in 2016-2018. I got married last year and now live in Texas. I have been practicing yoga for the last 10 years, and teaching for 1 year. I love doing yoga. It helps me to build strength, flexibility, and to connect with myself. It also helps me to feel peace and to feel my Savior’s love. My hope and desire is that as we do yoga together, you can build physical and emotional strength, as well as come closer to Christ.
Enjoy this Interview with Laurence Hill to learn more.
Anggely Frost
2025-2026 Mentor: Running and Biking
Anggely Frost was born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Florida. She is the middle of three siblings and has been married for nearly four years. She’s a proud mom to an energetic 18-month-old and a lovable goldendoodle. Her family life keeps her grounded and inspires her to keep learning and growing.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in Environmental and Occupational Health. Anggely also served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honolulu, Hawaii—an experience that strengthened her love for the gospel and her desire to serve others.
Health and movement have always been central to her life. She has completed two marathons and a sprint triathlon, became a certified yoga instructor three years ago, and enjoys regular CrossFit training. She loves spending time outdoors, reading, and sharing her enthusiasm for physical wellness with others—especially youth.
Anggely is excited to be part of Ensign Peak Academy and looks forward to supporting students as they set goals, develop healthy habits, and grow both physically and mentally.