Jennifer Barr
2026-2027 Mentor: Biology (LC 1/5), 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
2026-2027 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
2026-2027 Mentor: Family Science (live and self-paced), Health (1st Sem LC 1/2/3/5, 2nd Sem 2/4/6/7), US Government and Citizenship (LC 4, 5), Financial Literacy (LC 1/2/3/5), Senior Capstone Project, CTE Concentrator, Foundations of Independence
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.
Felicia Hanosek
High School Honors Program Director
2026-2027 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
2026-2027 Mentor: Science Fiction and Fantasy 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
2026-2027 Mentor: Chemistry (live and self-paced), Life Skills (live and self-paced), Health (2nd Sem LC 2/4/6/7)
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
2026-2027 Mentor: Science Fiction and Fantary Literature (LC 2, 3), English: Writing Essentials (LC 1, 2, 3) American Literature (self-paced), English: Writing Dynamics (self-paced), High School World Literature (self-paced), English: Writing Adventures (self-paced), IXL Account Manager, Business Communications A
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
2026-2027 Mentor: Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (LC 5), English: Writing Essentials (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
2026-2027 Mentor: Computer Technology (live and self-paced), Health (1st Sem LC 1/5/6/7 and self-paced), Principles of Leadership (live and self-paced), Human Geography (live and 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
2026-2027 Mentor: US Government and Citizenship (LC 2, 6), Modern World History (LC 1/ 3), Senior Capstone Project, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (LC 5)
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
2026-2027 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.
April Brede
2026-2027 Mentor: Studio Art (live and self-paced), High School Art Appreciation (live and self-paced), Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (LC 7), English: Writing Essentials (LC 7)
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
2026-2027 Mentor: Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (LC 1), US Government and Citizenship (LC 1/3, 7), 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
2026-2027 Mentor: High School Music Appreciation (live and self-paced), Music Theory (live), Modern World History (LC 4/5), Career and College Prep (live and self-paced), Financial Literacy (2nd Sem LC 1/5/6/7)
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.
Charelle Kruger
Mentor: Biology (LC 6/7, 2/3/4, Self-Paced), Biology: Applied Life Science and Professional Tech (CTE), English: Writing Essentials (EMEA LC, Self-Paced), Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (EMEA LC, self-Paced), Ancient World History (Self-Paced), High School Studio Art (EMEA LC), High School Art Appreciation (EMEA LC), US Government and Citizenship (EMEA LC)
I am from sunny South Africa, of which the hot climate matches my warm, bubbly, compassionate and curious personality. I have a degree in Fine Arts and Ancient History and am always eager to learn.
I love sharing my passion for art, history, literature (and general knowledge where applicable), igniting a similar sense of love for these subjects in my students.
Ensign Peak Academy gives me the opportunity to build on the students’ understanding and interest in the subjects I mentor in and I love every minute of it. In respect of experience, I have been tutoring for many years, including special needs children, and my love for teaching has only grown.
Jenny Hochstein
2026-2027 Mentor: High School Entrepreneurship (live and self-paced), Financial Literacy (2nd Sem HS LC 1/2/3/5), Health (1st Sem HS LC 1/2/3/5)
Jenny Hochstein has a gift for seeing others for who God knows and loves them to be. She loves guiding youth toward the businesses waiting to be birthed from inside themselves. Her own journey started as a student running a breakfast cafe for teachers in middle school. She later led kids’ markets in her children’s homeschool community. Today she owns Mountain Thai Massage. Her passion for wellness started young, playing rugby and wrestling. It deepened through her studies in yoga and massage therapy. She’s also a certified raw vegan chef. She’s completed the Church’s Self-Reliance Courses: Starting and Growing My Business & Personal Finances. She meets weekly with a money mastermind group, practicing a faith-based approach to building and sharing wealth. She is always eager to uncover what God sees in her potential and buckle up for the ride.
Jenny’s laughter announces her from a mile away. She treasures her forever people, her husband’s humor, and her five children. She teaches sunrise yoga and hosts women’s retreats. She loves learning from fellow keepers of lost arts, always seeking to proliferate what’s timeless and worth preserving.
Celine Rachelle
2026-2027 Mentor: Yoga
Céline Rachelle is a French-American lifelong traveler and student of the world who holds a BA in French with minors in International Development, Global Business, and Family Science from Brigham Young University. Since she was a child, she has traveled and lived between various states in the US and France. In her adolescence, she moved to China to teach ESL and then served a mission in Tahiti, French Polynesia. In recent years, she has been able to travel through and experience life in over 35 other countries on 6 continents and considers each of those experiences as an important part of her education and service in the world. Céline enjoys teaching French and yoga and cooking, gardening, writing, and family and wedding portraiture.
While at BYU, she worked at the MTC as the Lead French Interpreter, and at BYUCE as French Curriculum Designer for online high school courses. Most recently she completed an internship in the UK Parliament where she was invited to be a Parliamentary Officer for the APPG on the Freedom of Religion of Belief worldwide after doing independent FoRB research in Pakistan in 2023. During her time living in London, she went on delegations to EU Parliament and learned a great deal about the status of FoRB worldwide.
She enjoys adventure travel, going home to France, trekking in Nepal, exploring the UK, Canada, Western and Northern Europe, India and Australia. Her friends and family know there is no distance she won’t travel for them, especially if it means she can help them with their homes and gardens.
Anggely Frost
2026-2027 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.