Education
Laurie Laird, M.Ed.
Utah State Teaching License, School Counselor License, Special Education License (Endorsements: Family and Consumer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Mild/Moderate Disabilities)
Education Director
Laurie is a graduate of Brigham Young University's secondary education program and has a master's degree in educational counseling from the University of Phoenix. She taught family and consumer science, math, and biology for 15 years in the public school system to junior and senior high school students. She has also worked as a comprehensive guidance counselor specializing in career development and counseling. Her various capacities of service in the Utah education system include curriculum developer, student-teacher coordinator, teacher in-service trainer, and school-to-careers specialist. Laurie is special-education certified and specializes in learning styles, learning disabilities, behavior management, trauma, NLD, and negative mind processes. She is currently an instructor at University of Phoenix, teaching adults in the Special Education Teacher Master's Program.
Laurie has four children and enjoys running, sewing, travel, and the outdoors. She lives on a farm in the country, complete with emus, horses, chickens, and dogs.
Larissa Taylor
Utah State Teaching License (Endorsements: History, Political Science)
Assistant Education Director; Teacher
Larissa graduated form the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in history education and a minor in political science. She has been teaching at New Haven since 2005. She teaches US history, world history, government and economics. Larissa is also the Assistant Education Director, serving students and parents, as well as helping her fellow teachers develop further as professionals. She also serves as the advisor for the New Haven student government. Larissa loves history and enjoys helping students find a passion in studying the past.
When she's not at work, she enjoys reading, watching movies, scrapbooking, and cooking. Whenever she takes a vacation, she can usually be found at Disneyland.
Alicia Walters
English Teacher
Alicia had the wonderful opportunity of working as a residential staff for two years at New Haven before becoming our English Teacher. She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in English Education. Alicia loves building relationships with the girls through activities and new experiences. Alicia loves to include art and music into her English classes to create those personal connections to literature for the girls. Alicia believes that every single student has the ability to attend college and loves talking with the girls about higher learning and the amazing experiences it can bring them.
Alicia loves our New Haven animals and can often be found walking around campus with a new kitten in her arms or playing fetch with the dogs.
Maria Peterson
Utah State Teaching License (Endorsements: Chemistry, Geology, Latin)
Science Teacher
Maria has a BA in Chemistry Education from Brigham Young University, with minors in Latin Teaching and Geology Teaching. She has taught at the middle school, high school, and community college levels. She loves all areas of science, reads science books for fun, and always has to look at the ingredient list on the shampoo bottle. At the same time she recognizes that science isn't always approachable to students, and as a teacher she is committed to finding ways to make the subject interesting and understandable to learners of all types.
In her spare time, Maria likes to collect minerals, customize vintage My Little Pony toys, and spend time with her husband and three children.
Stacy Johnson
Math Teacher
Stacy graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Mathematics (level 4 endorsement) with a Health minor. Stacy has taught math at several high schools in Utah - mostly working with at-risk youth. Stacy is active in her community working with youth groups and has served in several positions in her local PTA organization. She is a teacher trainer/mentor in lesson planning and course development for students learning English as their second language (SDAIE).
Stacy is married with five children, ages ranging from 3 to 20. Stacy is a highly qualified teacher and a wonderful addition to our teaching faculty at New Haven.
Hayley Davis
Art Teacher
Hayley graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor's degree in art emphasizing illustration. She began working with troubled youth as a staff member at another treatment center in Utah before becoming a teacher at New Haven. Haley also currently teaches art at Spanish Oaks Elementary to grades 1-6. She enjoys teaching her students about the elements and principles needed to create successful art, and the value of achieving one's personal best in their work. In her free time she enjoys working on her own art doing portraits and illustrations, reading, cooking and kickboxing.
Andrew Gifford, MA
Utah State Teaching License (Endorsements: Political Science and Spanish)
Spanish Teacher
Andrew has a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree from Southern Utah University in Spanish, with a minor in political science. He has been teaching Spanish for a total of about eight years at various levels (elementary, high school, and college) in Georgia and Utah and holds current Utah teacher certification. He has been teaching Spanish at New Haven for almost a year, and enjoys teaching language and culture while helping students have more open minds. Andrew feels that it is critical as a language teacher to foster an understanding and tolerance for cultures different from our own. Andrew loves to spend time with his five children (one more on the way) and his wife. He loves reading-especially to his children, as well as writing stories and poetry, singing, drawing, writing computer programs and coding websites. He loves to be in the outdoors in the mountains whenever possible. He also loves to learn new things and is currently learning calculus and plans to learn Hebrew and Russian.
Brittany Hyde
Physical Education Teacher
Brittany graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Coaching with a minor in History. Being active her entire life gives Brittany a strong desire to help the girls become more physically active themselves. Through various forms of movement she strives to not only improve the students' physical abilities but their mental health as well. Brittany enjoys building strong relationships with the girls, and helping them embrace new forms of physical activities such as yoga, tae-bo, and rock climbing.
In her free time Brittany enjoys being outside, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, reading, triathlons, and spending time with her husband and new baby son.
Christie Valentine
Academic Coordinator
Christie has been working at New Haven since 2004. She has held many different positions while at New Haven, including receptionist, HR Assistant, Payroll Manager, and Benefits Administrator. She took a short break after having her daughter, but loved New Haven so much that she just had to come back. She now enjoys her role as the Academic Coordinator. She loves the opportunity she has to work with the girls and help them succeed in school.
When she's not at work, Christie enjoys spending time with her beautiful daughter, chasing her dog around the backyard, being outdoors, reading a good book, doing yoga, and dreaming of all the crafty things she wishes she could do.
