Tricia Andersen, JV Ultimate Frisbee Coach
Those who know Tricia well describe her as faithful, fearless, and fun. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tricia grew up playing club soccer, but she discovered the “celestial sport”—ultimate—during college. She quickly gained an affinity for ultimate during the early years of the Orem Ultimate League. Tricia is a graduate of BYU with a bachelor of science in zoology. She is a USAU certified coach and has a passion for teaching and organizing youth activities, especially athletics. In neighborhoods where she has lived, she is known as the “Kool-Aid Mom” because children flock to her to play whatever sport she is found organizing on any given day. She and her husband are the parents of five children—two boys, both of who attend AHS, and three girls whom Tricia teaches at home. The Andersens’ favorite activities together typically involve BYU sports, service, kayaking, hiking, good books, music, dancing, or making pizza.
Yahosh Bonner, Athletic Director
Yahosh comes to American Heritage having served as the Director of Basketball Operations for Southern Utah University, Assistant Coach at Western Nebraska Community College, and most recently as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at American Leadership Academy, where he also taught a “Values in Leadership” course and served as the “Voice of the Eagles” announcer for several sports. Yahosh served an Latter-day Saint mission in Tampa, Florida, and is a second-generation member of the Latter-Day Saint faith (his parents joined the Church in Connecticut). He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications from the University of Northern Colorado and Southern Utah University, respectively. He played basketball at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and where he also competed in track (long jump) and football. In addition to athletics administration and teaching, Yahosh also loves singing and acting. View a music video of the Bonner family’s original composition “I Am Here” and a duet “One Call Away.” Yahosh and his wife, Vanessa, are the parents of two sons and one daughter: Malachi, Samaiah, and Nehemiah.
Paora Winitana, Director of Basketball Operations

Coach Paora Winitana was born and raised in New Zealand. He moved to Utah with his wife Tia and their 6 children to coach basketball at American Heritage school. Paora loves the gospel and is passionate about the game of basketball. He graduated from the Church College of New Zealand, served a mission in Australia and played professionally for 20 years including two World Championship tournaments (2002/2006) and Olympic Games (2004). He is grateful and excited to be able to use all these experiences and knowledge to help others become the best versions of themselves, and to come closer to the Savior through sports and coaching.
Savanah Laycock, MS Physical Education Teacher

Savanah grew up in American Fork and graduated from American Fork High School as a Sterling Scholar with high honors. She spent her first year of college in Ephraim at Snow College and transferred her second year to Brigham Young University in Provo. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Wellness. Over the course of her college experience, she earned certificates in basic lifesaving, CPR, and first aid. Once she graduated, she earned a phlebotomist technician certificate. Savanah has a deep appreciation for education and the challenge it brings. She loves the outdoors and spending time playing sports or games with her family. Savanah married her husband Jake in the Provo City Center, Temple, and together they have a baby boy, Jett.
Brian Smith, Athletic & Wellness

Brian Smith was born in Anchorage, Alaska and moved at an early age to Nashville, Tennessee. He moved several more times before he graduated from high school but spent most of his years growing up in Nashville and Dallas, Texas. Half way through high school his family moved to Orem, Utah where Brian graduated from Mountain View High School. Brian became a student athlete at BYU competing in both track and field and football. He graduated from BYU with a BS in Exercise and Wellness. Brian served a Latter-day Saint mission in Monterrey, Mexico. Upon coming home from his mission, he began his coaching career as a personal trainer. Brian attributes his athletic opportunities to having good coaches and trainers which have been his motivation to give back and help other youth have similar opportunities. Brian has certifications in training, nutrition, functional movement screening, and strength and conditioning. Brian was married to the love of his life, Emily, in the Salt Lake Temple and they have two beautiful boys. Brian is so excited to be a part of the AHS team and is looking forward to bringing together athletics and Christ centered living.
Fine Arts Department
Eric Heywood, Art

Monica Ingoldsby, Middle School Art Teacher
Monica Ingoldsby was born in Lima, Peru; but has spent most of her life in California and Utah. She went to California Polytechnic State University in San luis Obispo, California and Obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Design. She has worked and taught commercial art for many years and found her passion in teaching art. She has been teaching art for the last six years at American Preparatory Academy where she received her teacher’s license. She loves to travel, draw, paint, garden and outdoor activities.
Jan Parker, Art (K-5)
Jan Parker was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and raised in Summit, New Jersey. She attended BYU in the fall of 1974, where she graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration. She worked at the BYU photo studio for three of those years. She has worked as a Graphic Designer for Conant Associates and in Interior Design at Ethan Allen until starting her family of six children – 3 boys and 3 girls all grown and now living in Utah, New York City, Virginia, London (England) and the youngest serving a mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For the past 16 years, Mrs. Parker has lived in Alpine, Utah. She started oil painting eleven years ago with a group of other artists and found her artistic passion. She does commissioned oil paintings and works on many commercial murals in locations such as the American Fork Junior High Library, where she did a “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme. In addition to art, Mrs. Parker also loves to quilt, cook, read, travel when she can, and she looks forward to serving a mission someday. Mrs. Parker feels very blessed as a single woman with almost four grandchildren, and two lovely sisters that live in Alpine, and Burley, Idaho. Mrs. Parker has an abiding testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and cherishes her membership in the church as well her relationship with the Savior.
Nelsen Campbell, Band

Emily Halverson, Kinder Music Teacher/Accompanist

September Howard, Music

September was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She came to Utah to attend BYU where she studied Music Education and minored in Family Life at BYU. She enjoyed being part of the BYU Women’s Chorus, Concert Choir, and BYU Singers until her graduation (December 2020). She and her husband were married in the Salt Lake Temple and now have a beautiful baby boy named Grayson. She loves spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, going on walks, and trying new things! She’s excited to join the Music Dept. at American Heritage School.
Deborah Otteson, Music Teacher Grades 2-5

Deborah R. Otteson was born in Oakridge, Tenn. But mainly grew up in Northern California. She is the eldest of nine living children. She graduated from Ricks and BYU (Provo) with a degree in Secondary Music Education. After serving a mission in the Oregon Portland Mission, she started teaching music in her hometown of Shelley, Idaho and spent her summers in Hartford, Conn. earning a degree in the Kodály Method at the KMTI. During her time in Idaho, she was also involved in many musicals, operas and singing groups. After she moved back to this area with her children in 2001 she completed the InterMuse Kodaly certification program at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She is excited to be at American Heritage School teaching children in grades 1-5.
Melissa Swingle, Men’s Choir

Melissa is ecstatic to be joining the American Heritage team! She has a BA in Music Education from BYU-Idaho and has a Level I Orff Schulwerk certification. She served a mission in Long Beach, California before moving to Utah. Melissa started teaching music in Bluffdale 10 years ago and married her husband Todd that same year. They have two children and enjoy singing, making music, and dancing together as a family. After living in 3 other states, they’re happy to be moving back to Utah just in time for the new school year. Melissa has been a member of two professional choruses, the Utah Symphony Chorus and Nashville Symphony Chorus. She enjoys participating in musical theater when she gets a chance and likes to go on easy hikes with her family. Her choir-shaped heart is excited to be working with the students at AHA.
Lisa Brodie, Symphonic Strings Orchestra Conductor

Kayson Brown, Orchestra

Kayson holds a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Brigham Young University where he served as conducting and cello faculty. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Utah. He is certified in the Suzuki method and has more than two decades of experience teaching cello including one of the industry-leading websites to teach cello — Learn2playCello.com. Kayson has over a dozen years experience conducting more than 25 symphony orchestras including professional, university, community, and educational ensembles. He is a passionate, nationally-recognized music educator whose primary goal is to inspire audiences and musicians through music. As the founder of the Lyceum Music Festival and director of the Lyceum Orchestras Program at American Heritage School, he oversees the largest youth orchestra program in the state of Utah and a nationally significant summer music festival. In all these endeavors, Kayson seeks to connect aspiring young musicians with their music industry counterparts and has succeeded in attracting a national audience to the meaningful music made by Utah’s local youth. Kayson has produced, conducted, orchestrated and arranged numerous albums both independently and with the Lyceum Philharmonic. He has been featured conducting on nationally televised PBS Specials with The Piano Guys, recorded for SONY Masterworks and has been recognized by Best of State Utah and American String Teachers Association as one of the leading music educators in the nation. His music and student musicians have been heard over 125 million times on YouTube and have reached the top of the Billboard Charts on three separate albums.
Jay Clark, Technical Director

LauraLyn Eberting, Music (AHYC)

LauraLyn Eberting loves music and is delighted to be a part of American Heritage School’s Children’s Choir. She grew up singing and making music with her family and then went to law school and became an attorney. While in college she taught piano lessons, played the violin with a BYU orchestra, sang with the Mormon Youth Chorus, and performed as an entertainer in Lagoon’s Music USA. Welcome, Mrs. Eberting!
Math Department
Ty Smith, Math Teacher

Ty comes to American Heritage with 31 years’ experience teaching math in the Provo School District, 26 of those at Dixon Middle School, including 10 years coaching basketball at Provo and Mountain View High Schools. Ty received a bachelor’s degree at BYU with a math endorsement. He has been recognized as one of Provo School District’s most outstanding teachers on numerous occasions through the years. Ty’s mother was a dance teacher, so in addition to his love for teaching math, he also danced for over 40 years. He even worked one summer dancing in the Disneyland parades, and we look forward to him demonstrating some of those dance moves as he expounds upon quadratic equations and the Fibonacci sequence. Ty has enjoyed service in many capacities in the Latter-day Saint Church. He is married to Joani, and together they have six children and nine grandchildren, all of whom live close to the Smiths, and within a mile of each other (to Grandpa and Grandma Smith’s delight).
Science Department
Ryan Anderson, Biology / Human Anatomy & Physiology

Alex DeBirk, Physics, AP Physics and Intro to Engineering

Laurel Hill, Science K-2
Laurel has a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in Public Relations. After graduation, she worked for Melaleuca, Inc. in Idaho Falls in product development and marketing. Laurel has worked as a freelance writer for various magazines and newsletters. Laurel homeschooled her youngest starting in kindergarten, through the AHS Distance Education program. The Hill Family loves American Heritage and knows how it changes lives, blesses families, teaches children how to think for themselves, and inspires students to love learning. She was a stay at home mom for 20 years. For the past two years, she has worked as a substitute teacher in Jordan School District, substituting in elementary resource classes, and in schools for those with Autism. Laurel has been a substitute teacher for American Heritage for two years in K-12 grades. Her family has been a part of American Heritage for 12 years. Laurel was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She has lived in Utah for 22 years. She and her husband Jay have 4 children who have all attended AHS, three of whom have graduated from AHS. Laurel’s youngest daughter will be in the 6th grade this upcoming school year. Laurel loves to hike, read, play the piano, exercise, cook, and spend time with her family.
Nikki Kelley, Science 6-8

Nikki is a fun and energetic teacher who loves to learn and encourage learning. She graduated from BYU with a Bachelors degree in Sports Medicine, Athletic Training. While at BYU, Nikki played basketball on a full-ride scholarship. After graduating from college, Nikki worked at the Waterford School for 10 years. She taught PE and Science. She also coached and administrated as the 9th and 10th grade Dean. Her hobbies include playing and spending time with her family, hiking, reading, cooking and spending time with friends. Nikki and her husband, Dave, have 5 children. Nikki feels it a great honor and pleasure to teach Middle School Science at American Heritage. She takes great pleasure in helping students work hard, learn, and enjoy the wonderful creations of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Abby Taylor, Science 6-8

Abby is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. She attended Tyler Junior College and played volleyball there for two years then transferred to the University of Wyoming where she obtained her Biology degree and played volleyball for another two seasons. She recently finished additional school at Brigham Young University where she played on the women’s volleyball team for the fall of 2022. She is excited to be teaching middle school science and has a passion for all areas of science.
Andrew Winegar, Chemistry

Andrew comes to American Heritage having worked for five years as a paraprofessional in Salt Lake School District at Innovations Early College High School. Andrew studied chemistry with a geology minor at the University of Utah where he got his bachelor’s degree. He recently received his master’s degree in science teaching through Western Governors University. He loves learning and regularly seeks new things to learn through books, articles, videos, and documentaries. He and his wife and son reside in Saratoga Springs.
Reading Department
Jill Atkinson, Reading Interventionist
From a young age, teaching young children has been one of Jill’s dreams. She attended Brigham Young University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education. She taught Kindergarten for two years and then started her family. She is a mother of five children. When her first child was born, she told her husband that she wanted her children to attend American Heritage which was just getting started. Her family ended up moving away to Idaho for 15 years and then returning. She was really excited to come back and have her children attend American Heritage. Jill is very happy to get back into teaching at American Heritage which shares her same core values. She loves being in an environment where the spirit is present and both teacher and student learn from each other. When Jill is not teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and being a mother. Teaching at American Heritage helps her realize one of her greatest joys in life, helping children feel love as they grow and learn.
Jennifer Nielsen, Reading Interventionist
Jennifer grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, just outside of Seattle. She completed her degree in Elementary Education at Brigham Young University, but decided to stay at home with her newborn daughter instead of take a teaching position after graduation. When the youngest of her five children started 3rd grade, she decided she was ready for more than volunteer work at the school. She came back to education as a Para-Educator in a Life Skills class where she learned from the example of a master teacher that every child deserves a life of dignity and purpose. She practiced every day living the motto, “Never say I can’t.” Several years later, she was invited to apply at American Heritage School for a position as a Reading Interventionist. Reading is a subject that Jennifer is passionate about. She is certified in the University of Utah’s Next Steps and Higher Steps intervention models, Tier 1 Text comprehension routines, and Spalding Level 1. Jennifer finds real purpose in helping students develop their reading skills- skills she believes are critical for achieving our AHS Mission Statement of developing life-long learners.
Trish Peel, Reading Interventionist Dept. Chair
Trisha graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has been a teacher for the past twenty years in a variety of settings, including public, charter, and home school classrooms. Her emphasis is in reading and math instruction, and she has tutored many children in these specific areas as well. Trisha loves to learn, and is inspired by the truths, values, and academic excellence that are at the heart of American Heritage School. She feels she has been prepared and directed to this remarkable school, and is excited for the opportunity to assist students. She has a great love for children and a strong desire to be a positive influence for good in their lives.
Dr. Neil Harmon, Youth Chorus Accompanist/Organist

as well as music for solo organ, handbell choir, mixed chorus, and brass quintet. Active in the American Guild of Organists, he served twice as Co-Director of the Delaware Pipe Organ Encounter. Neil and his wife, Anese, are the parents of five children.
Michelle Jorgensen, Music (AHYC)

Michelle Jorgensen has loved, performed and taught music from an early age. She studied piano and voice through graduate school, and taught lessons to help support her family while attending dental school. She has four children, and they have all attended American Heritage. The family has been patrons of the school since 2005 and loves the school and music programs.
Carolyn Lundberg, Orchestra

Shane Mickelsen, Orchestra Conductor
Shane Mickelsen is an active composer, arranger, conductor, and teacher. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Utah State University and a Master’s of Music degree in Music Composition from the University of Utah where he also pursued doctoral studies in Music Composition. He is an accomplished clarinetist and recording musician who has recently written for and recorded with The Piano Guys, Paul Cardall, and the Latter-day Saint Church. Shane regularly conducts recording sessions and recently served as the Music Director of the West Jordan Symphony. At the age of 17, he was commissioned by the School of Music at Utah State University to compose an opera for its Opera Theatre Program which he composed, rehearsed, and directed. The work was recognized with an award from the university and Craig Jessop. As an educator, Shane directed choir, orchestra, and band at American Heritage of South Jordan where he also taught Latin. He currently maintains a private studio of voice, piano, clarinet, and composition students in his home in Riverton with his wife Kacee and daughter Annie.
Amanda Riley, Orchestra
As long time supporters of the Lyceum Orchestra program at American Heritage School, Amanda Riley and her family traveled from Beaver to American Fork each week to have their children participate. After many years of traveling, Amanda is excited to have moved to Highland and to be conducting the Chamber Ensemble. Amanda was formerly the Orchestra and Choir Director at Beaver High School and a general music educator at Belknap Elementary School in Beaver. She is also a graduate of Brigham Young University. Amanda followed her love for music as she started each of her young children playing the violin starting at age three and studied beside each of them. She was the recipient of the UTASTA Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2015. Her love for music, her family and youth has driven her to have a successful program where students feel safe, encouraged and allowed to follow their dreams. Amanda has a passion for touching student’s lives and inspiring them to achieve excellence.
Matt Thornton, Concert Choir Assistant Director
Matt Thornton graduated from Utah State University with a bachelors degree in music education. He also holds a masters degree in music education from BYU. As an undergraduate, Matt served as the Music Vice President of the Logan Latter-day Saint Institute as well as the Dance President. He was also president of the New Horizons Institute Choir. While in Cache Valley, he worked with the Cache Children’s Choir and taught in their summer music camp. He has also worked as a music and dance specialist for Opera by Children. Matt has been trained in Orff, is Kodály certified and is currently an instructor at the BYU InterMuse Academy. He is the fine arts department head at American Fork Jr. High where he has taught choir for eight years.