.png)
Spectrum Academy directors
& administrators
JAIME CHRISTENSEN
Executive Director of Academics
Dr. Jaime Christensen has been with Spectrum Academy since 2007. She served as elementary and secondary school principal prior to being appointed the Director of Academics. Jaime earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster College and her graduate degrees from the University of Memphis.
BRAD NELSON
Executive Director of Finance and Development
Brad Nelson worked for over 30 years in the commercial real estate consulting, development and finance world. He received his degree in Finance from Washington State University. He has managed developments, budgets and staff to finance and create small and large scale projects as well as retail stores throughout the country. He has owned and managed several small businesses in a variety of fields. Brad served for several years on the Spectrum Academy Board of Directors where he developed a passion for the mission of Spectrum Academy. Brad now serves as Spectrum Academy's Executive Director of Finance and Development.
LIZ BANNER
Regional Director of Academics Pleasant Grove, Title IX Coordinator
Liz received her Bachelors in Special Education from Weber State University and her Masters in Education from Argosy University. Her Spectrum Career began in 2009 when she worked as a Paraprofessional to support her son at his new school. She then went on to teach for a few years and in 2013 beame the Principal of the Pleasant Grove Campus. She is a member of the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children), ARUCC (Autism Resources of Utah County Council) and, USEAP (Utah Special Education Advisory Panel); representing Individuals with Disabilities as a parent of a student with disabilities.
CHRISTINA GUEVARA
Regional Director of Academics North Salt Lake, Title IX Coordinator
Christina Guevara has taught second through eighth grades at Spectrum Academy as well as started the school’s first gifted class for middle school. She co-authored the Social Scene Investigations: A Social Skills Curriculum. She specializes in ABA, discrete trial training, classroom management, and individualized interventions for both the school and home settings. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from UCLA and Master’s in Education/Special Education from the University of Phoenix. Currently she is in the Doctorate of Education / Curriculum & Instruction program.
KRISANNE LEWIS
Student Services Director
Krisanne received her BS in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in occupational therapy from the University of Utah. She currently works as the Student Services Coordinator for Spectrum Academy in North Salt Lake, Utah, collaborating with teachers and providing occupational therapy services to children with a variety of disabilities. She has worked with children with ASD and other disabilities in Texas and Utah, and has worked in clinical, early intervention, home, and education-based settings. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Utah and enjoys teaching adults almost as much as kids! She is certified in sensory integration and in the administration/interpretation of the SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) and has extensive experience with sensory integration.
North Salt Lake Administrators
Pleasant Grove Administrators
STEVEN MERRELL
Principal, NSL High School
Steven Merrell was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has worked with students ranging from 5th-grade through 12th-grade throughout his time in the classroom. Steven received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of San Diego, his Master of Arts in English Literature from Macquarie University (AUS), and his Master in Education from the University of Utah. Steven is currently in the Educational Leadership Doctoral program at the University of Utah. This is Steven's second year at Spectrum Academy.
JEREMIAH CLARK
Assistant Principal, NSL High School
Jeremiah is a mild/moderate certified special educator with a film & animation degree who joined Spectrum in 2013. He began as a math teacher and moved into a lead teacher role in those first couple years. In 2018 he moved into an instructional coach role and enjoyed every minute of that until the opportunity came to join the administration team as an assistant principal and ultimately principal of the high school in North Salt Lake. He enjoys his family with two young children and mountain bikes whenever he can.
LEVI GRISENTI
Principal, NSL Intermediate School
I am a husband and a father to 5 children. I was born and raised in Rupert, ID. I grew up on a farm where I enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and participating in sports. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education 1-8 and Special Education from Western Governors University. I also completed my Master’s degree in Special Education from Western Governors University. I have worked at Spectrum Academy for several years as a paraprofessional, teacher, behavior specialist, assistant principal and now principal.
KATIE HART
Assistant Principal, NSL Intermediate
Katie Hart has been a teacher at Spectrum since 2014 teaching Elementary Functional Life Skills. She has a Bachelor's in Special Education with a Severe Emphasis from Brigham Young University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction - Autism Spectrum Disorders from Arizona State University. She loves being part of the Spectrum family!
JAIME HEINER
Assistant Principal, NSL Intermediate
Jaime Heiner joined the Spectrum team in 2017 after working as a paraprofessional on the east coast for several years. She has taught K-2 functional skills, 6th grade, middle school science, and has been the high school instructional coach for the last two years. Jaime was born and raised in Kaysville and completed her bachelor's degree at Weber State University, where she will be returning to pursue a Master’s Degree in educational leadership. Jaime is passionate about educational neuroscience, executive functioning, and trauma-informed practices. When she’s not working she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
Kathie Phillips
Principal, NSL Elementary
Kathie Phillips is an enthusiastic educator with a decade of experience teaching at Spectrum Academy. Her passion for teaching and learning has led her to pursue a master's degree in Educational Administration. Kathie is eager to bring her extensive knowledge of the school to the position, while continuing to learn and grow. When she isn't working, she loves to travel and explore new cultures, bringing her unique perspective to her students and colleagues. Kathie is excited to lead the school into the future and help the students reach their full potential.
MOLLY POIRIER
Principal, NSL STARS
Molly is a New England native who moved to Utah in 2016. Before coming to Spectrum, Molly was a Functional Life Skills teacher for a Residential program in her home state of Maine. Her passion for working with this group of students led her to complete her Masters of Educational Psychology through the University of Southern Maine to become a BCBA. Molly specializes in working on functional communication, pivotal response training, incidental teaching and discrete trial training.
SCOTT MOFFATT
Principal, PG Secondary School
Scott Moffatt has worked at the Pleasant Grove campus since it first opened in 2014. He started as a paraprofessional the first year, then he became the high school language arts teacher after graduating from Utah Valley University in Literary Studies. He received his Masters of Arts in Education Administration in 2019 and then became the Assistant Principal for the Secondary School in February 2020.
ELAYNE MCARTHUR
Assistant Principal, PG Secondary School
My name is Elayne McArthur. I am honored to become a member of the Spectrum Academy family as the Secondary Assistant Principal. I bring with me 25 years of teaching experience in mainstream and alternative school settings in both public and private schools. As a history teacher I taught both middle and high school students, youth in the state’s custody, and students who were in treatment for mental health concerns. I believe that every student is capable and able to learn. I am passionate about helping kids feel valued, cared for, and heard. I have 15 years of educational leadership experience; serving as the Education Director of Center for Change/Cascade Mountain High School and was the chair of the Service Excellence Committee. I feel that communication between administration, teachers, students, parents, and staff is key to building a strong school culture. I have been trained by the Arbinger Institute with strategies to foster effective communication and build strong relationships. I have been married to my husband and best friend for 28 years. I have two sons, one daughter and two fantastic daughter-in-laws. I love making memories with my family, gardening, reading, ice cream, and anything outdoors. I graduated from BYU with my secondary education teaching degree in history and completed my Master’s degree in Education with LEAD from Southern Utah University. I am so excited to get to work with all of you this year!
JODI BLACKHURST
Principal, PG K-6
Hi everyone! My name is Jodi Blackhurst and I will be the Assistant Principal for K-6 this year. I am very excited for this new role! I have worked in various positions at Spectrum Academy over the past 7 years. I started as a Functional Skills Teacher in 2015, taught 4th grade for 2 years, and have been an Instructional Coach for the past 2 years. I have 5 amazing children of my own and 5 beautiful grandchildren. I was born and raised in East Texas and travel there as often as I can to see family. I have my teaching degree from Western Governor University in Special Education and Elementary Education K-12. I recently completed a Master’s degree in Education with Administrative Licensure from Southern Utah University. I love Spectrum Academy and I am excited for the new school year!
PAUL WOODWORTH
Assistant Principal, PG Elementary and STARS
I spent most of my growing up years in Meridian, ID where I went to Centennial High School and participated in football, wrestling, and track. I graduated from BYU-I in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Health, and Physical Education. I took a job teaching Spanish and Adapted PE in Middleton Idaho. I received my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. After graduating, I took a VP job at Rigby High School, and then became the principal at North Powder Charter School a year later, where I’ve been the last two years. I love being a part of the Spectrum family and enjoy working with the amazing staff we have here!
AUBREY WHITING
Principal, PG STARS
My whole adult life has been dedicated to students with disabilities in different capacities. I got my bachelor's in Severe Special Education at the University of Utah, and my Masters of Education at Utah State University in Special Education and school administration. I've previously taught students from K- Age 22 and been a principal of a charter school. I have 3 unique and amazing children that have guided me through the world of Autism and helped me be a better advocate and supporter of all children but especially those on the spectrum. I am excited to be a part of the Spectrum Family and look forward to getting to know the whole Spectrum community.
Program Administrators
Jenna wood
Assessment Administrator
Jenna Wood received her BA in Communications from Brigham Young University and began her career in sales and advertising. Over the next 20 years while freelance writing and marketing, she became a volunteer extraordinaire, serving on PTAs and School Community Councils consistently while her 5 children were young. Volunteer positions included PTA President, School Community Council Chair, Council PTA, and District Community Council Member. Over this time she developed a passion for education and returned to get a Master’s Degree in Sociology of Education from Sam Houston State University. She joined the Spectrum Academy family in 2023 as the Assessment Administrator.
KALEY VEATER
Ed Tech and CTE Administrator
Kaley Veater has been at Spectrum Academy since 2012. She has worked as a middle school social studies teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She is currently serving as Spectrum Academy's Educational Technology Coordinator (which includes her role as the Canvas Administrator) and the Career and Technical Education Coordinator. She has a Bachelor's in History Education from Utah Valley University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education.
MCDEVAN CARLING
NSL Transition Coordinator
I am entering my 12th year at Spectrum Academy Charter. I have been a special education teacher in both core strategies and the general education classrooms in English, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Social Skills, and a few others I have probably forgotten at this point. I have served as an administrator as well but I have truly found my passion in the Transition programs. Outside of Spectrum I spend most of my time with my two children and spouse.
STEFIE MUNK
NSL Behavior Coordinator
Stefie Munk is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), and a Licensed Special Education Teacher in the state of Utah. She earned her degree from WGU (Western Governors University) and her Master’s from FIT (Florida Institute of Technology). She worked as a special education teacher and a behavior specialist at Spectrum Academy Charter School for 16 years, and is now the Behavior Coordinator for the North Salt Lake Campus. Stefie is a mother of 3 adult children, one of which has Autism, as well as the grandmother to 2 grandbabies. Stefie was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism twenty two years ago when things were very different and not as accepted. Being the mother of a child with Autism has really helped shape the special educator and behaviorist she is today. Stefie enjoys reading books, being barefoot outside, and spending time with her family. She has been with Spectrum Academy since the very beginning and has loved watching this school grow and help the students, the parents, and the community.
JOE DIXON
PG Behavior Coordinator
Joe Dixon, Ed.D. BCBA, LBA has been a certified behavior analyst since 2013 and has worked with individuals with learning differences and developmental delays since 2008. He has had the opportunity to teach in the classroom for 8 years and enjoys seeing the growth in his students. He completed his Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education at Liberty University. During his career, he has focused on helping students overcome learning barriers to help them become more efficient learners and enjoy the process of discovery in learning. He has worked in both private and charter schools and enjoys the collaboration that Spectrum brings with its multifaceted teams. Outside of work, Joe enjoys being with his family, traveling the world, and enjoying the outdoors. He loves cooking and sharing food with those around him.
amy baker
Development Coordinator
Amy began working at Spectrum Academy in 2012. Her fundraising and event planning days began in 2008 when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. The need for autism awareness drove her to bring the first Walk Now For Autism to Utah. She then volunteered as the Events Chair for the Autism Council of Utah coordinating their fundraising and awareness activities.
In 2014 she enrolled her boys in Spectrum Academy and her where her volunteer time quickly turned into a full-time job. She has a deep love for our students and their families and enjoys working together with parents, staff, and the community to better serve our students.