Rohan Adams, Chemistry/AP Biology Instructor

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.
From a young age, teaching young children has been one of Jill’s dreams. She attended Brigham Young University and received her Bachelors 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 and has been married 19 years. 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.
Kathy is a musician and educator. She comes to American Heritage School with 23 years of experience teaching piano and working closely with youth across the valley. She is excited to be a part of the school community and a support to teachers and students in her new position as classroom aide. She and her husband Ric have five children, who are all married, and eight grandchildren.
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 LOS mission in Tampa, Florida, and is a second-generation member of the LOS 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.
Karen attended BYU and received a bachelor’ s degree in Business. She has worked as the Girls’ Varsity assistant coach for the last two 2 years and the Girls’ JV Head coach last season. Karen connects well with the girls as they work hard together improving skills, strategy, and teamwork. Karen played a lot of basketball herself as a youth and into her adult life. She has passion and a sound knowledge for the game. More importantly, she enjoys helping the girls work towards their potential and find strength within, both physically and emotionally. Karen looks forward to building the program and continuing to work with the fine young ladies of AHS.
Seth received a bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Utah. He grew up in Corona, California. In addition to his work as a writing aide, Seth enjoys ice hockey, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.
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 LDS 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.
Ryan comes to American Heritage with experience as a former Head Coach of the BYU Men’s Volleyball team, a member of United States Men’s National Volleyball Team from 1998-2008, a member of the USA Men’s Olympic National Volleyball Team (three-time Olympian in 2000, 2004, 2008), 2008 Olympic Champion, and three times NORCECA Champion. Coach Millar has over 20 years’ experience in motivational speaking, leadership consulting, and team building. He is currently a senior partner with Partners in Leadership. He and his wife have been married since 1997, have two children, and are excited to be enrolling as AHS parents this fall!
Kendra graduated with an English degree from Utah Valley University. Kendra went on to earn her Master’s degree in Education after which she taught fourth grade in Taylorsville. Kendra taught elementary school till her daughter was born and was blessed to be able to take a break from teaching to be home with her. She grew up in Northern California and lived there till she came to Utah for college. Kendra and her family enjoy boating, going on bike rides, travelling and spending time with family and friends. Kendra is excited and feels so blessed to be back in the classroom as an aide at American Heritage.
Mrs. Packer joins our Elementary Reading Specialist Department having served for many years as an elementary school teacher at both American Heritage School and Lincoln Academy. She is currently completing a master’s degree in Education with a Reading & Literacy focus at the University of Utah and has a bachelor of science degree in Family Health from BYU. Mrs. Packer has always especially loved to teach reading. Her father, who was a significant influence on Mrs. Packer’s education and career development, was a well-known linguist and professor at BYU, and was especially passionate about teaching English as a second language. His work in reading and literacy lifted children and families from poverty all around the world. Mrs. Packer hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps and sees her new role in the AHS Elementary Reading Specialist Department as an important part of her life’s mission.
Rosemary comes to the AHS 4th Grade Classrooms having served previously as a staff member for American Heritage Worldwide (curriculum writer, customer support specialist) and also as an AHS tutor. Rosemary graduated from California State University Northridge summa cum laude and has a Master’s degree in American History from UCLA and a second Master’s degree from UCSB with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine. She taught US History and Colonial American History at UCLA and was a graduate student researcher for the Clark Center for l7th and l8th Century Studies. Rosemary served a Historic-Deerfield Massachusetts Fellowship studying l8th Century material culture and colonial settlement. She has published several articles on Colonial New England physicians and the influence of European medicine on the lives of small developing communities. She and her husband served a mission in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and in the Los Angeles Temple. While serving in Nauvoo she wrote A Friend to All: The Life and Contributions of Dr. John Fuller Weld (1808-1892) a physician and surgeon in the Nauvoo Legion. She began teaching and authoring lessons for American Heritage in 2013. Teaching, writing curriculum, and working with the families at American Heritage School is the culmination of a long academic journey that allows Rosemary to combine gospel truths with her love of American history. She currently serves in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and lives in Cedar Hills, Utah. Rosemary and her husband are the parents of eight children and twenty-seven grandchildren. She loves to garden and cook for her family and friends.
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.
Bailey is delighted to return to American Heritage School as the girls volleyball coach. She has loved volleyball ever since playing for her high school in Vancouver, Washington and she has loved the people of American Heritage School ever since working as the high school chemistry teacher. In the years between high school and becoming a teacher, Bailey studied biochemistry at Brigham Young University, served as a missionary in Omaha, Nebraska and taught missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center. All the while, she has continued to play volleyball with friends and neighbors. Although she will often comment on how much she loves volleyball, chemistry and teaching, Bailey’s greatest loves are the gospel of Jesus Christ, her wonderful husband and her sweet, little daughter.
Lindsay returns to American Heritage having previously served as an aide at AHS. She has been married for almost 23 years and is a mother of 2 boys, ages 12 and IS months. She studied at Southern Utah University. Lindsay was born in Alaska and raised primarily in Arizona, Utah, and Washington. She enjoys spending time with family, close friends, and visiting the great outdoors. She is glad to be back at American Heritage and looks forward to another great year!
Mattie June Smith spent most of her life moving around the world because of her father’s job. During elementary school they lived in Taiwan and in high school they moved to France. Ms. Smith graduated in France and then went to BYU-Idaho to study music and French. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she served a mission in Geneva, Switzerland, and her first assigned area was her home ward! She moved to Utah for a teaching position in a French dual immersion program in North Salt Lake. Ms. Smith loves photography and is a volunteer with an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which provides bereavement photography for families who have lost newborn babies. She also loves to sing and has been involved locally in performances at Hale, Eccles, Centerpoint, and Playmill theatres. She is thrilled to join the American Heritage family and looks forward to enrolling her daughter in kindergarten next year!
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 LDS 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).
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 LDS 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.