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Meet Our Academic Team

Andrea Gardner, Principal    

Red Rock Canyon School. Before coming to Red Rock Andrea taught at Bowling Green University and Wittenberg University in Ohio for a total of eight years, and served as Headmaster of Ridgewood Private School for 13 years. She later served as the Academic Director of Cross Creek Academy in Utah for six years. As if she wasn’t busy enough, Andrea also currently serves as principal over Browning Distance Learning Academy. She is well traveled and spent a teaching sabbatical in India. Her experience in education and administration are exceptional. She is a remarkable asset to our school.

Barry Moore, Transition Director

My first contact with the field of human services came in 1989 when I began working with disabled adults in a sheltered workshop setting in Adel, Iowa. Three years later I returned to school to finish my B.A., graduating in 1993 on the President's List with a degree in religion from Drake University. I began working with adjudicated teens in 1994 as an independent living supervisor, and to my surprise I felt as if I had finally found my professional niche in life. Five years later my family and I moved to southern Utah, where I continued my work with adolescents in various administrative capacities. Although a relative newcomer to Red Rock Canyon School (February 2005), my tenure here so far has been richly satisfying. When Walt Disney was once asked about his vision for Disneyland's future, he said, in effect, that it was only limited by his imagination. If i were asked the same question concerning the Transition Program and what lies ahead for its students, I would say something similar, but I would add, "you still have to go through north Anaheim to get there." But, of course that's reality, and that's our mission-- to teach each student how to "navigate through the grindstones" of life while at the same time reminding them about the North Star, and the influential role it can play in their individual journeys.

Brendan Dalley, Special Education Director

I attended Southern Utah University where I graduated with honors in Education. I majored in the areas of Special Education and Physical Education. I taught in the public high schools for six years in which I coached varsity baseball and cross country. While teaching, I became involved in working with teachers and staff in order to assist them with teaching students with various learning styles. I specialized in testing and using the testing results to develop individualized educational plans based off cognitive and academic achievement performance. My philosophy in education is that all students can learn although it may vary in how much and in which ways they process information. The key is understanding how a student learns best and tapping into that style.  Knowledge is potential power. It’s what is done with it that counts.

Bonnie Peterson, Academic Secretary

I am the Registrar and Academic Secretary at Red Rock. I am starting my third year and really enjoy working with the administrators, directors, staff, and students.  I have worked for County, State, and Federal Government offices for over 20 years. I grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated high school in Murray, Utah. I have an Associates Degree in Business from Mesa State College. After college, I worked for Choice Hotels International and was the bookkeeper for my husband’s plumbing company. Before coming to Red Rock, I also worked as an Administrative Assistant for NRCS Emergency Watershed Office in St. George. Recently, I have learned to operate the school’s phone system and am able to fill in now and then. Learning how to read school transcripts and maintain our student records was quite a challenge at first, but now I love it.

Brian Bagley, Math/Beehive Unit Teacher

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with an emphasis in Mathematics from Brigham Young University. I began my teaching career as a graduate instructor of the general education film studies course at BYU. Before coming to Red Rock, I taught mathematics at Dixie State College of Utah for five years. Married, with three children, I am also the inventor of a patent-pending, internet-based security protocol. My philosophy on teaching assumes that resistance to formal education is normal; most of us would rather be taught as a prince, with a roomful of experts explaining it on demand. Although we teach differently as a practical matter, I still make the same assumptions about learning. My priority is to raise respect for knowledge and reason in order to increase the desire to learn, because these are integral to self-awareness and the defense of our well-being.

Michelle Wong, IEP/Copper Teacher

I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I lived on the North West side of the city and Graduated from Western High School.  I have one daughter who is now twenty-one years old. I attended UNLV for a year and half.  My major was Special Education.  I was involved in a Special Education organization on campus to which the purpose was to help special needs children and their families as well as educate others in understanding the special needs that some children have.  Shortly after attending UNLV I moved to Beaver, UT. After six months there I moved to Cedar City, UT and attended Southern Utah University.  I graduated in 1989 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development.  I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Bill Mehn, History/Blue Unit

My name is Bill Mehn. I have a Bachelors of Art Degree in Anthropology from the University of Utah. I have worked in the Salt Lake City and Park City school systems as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher for 5 years. I have been a member of the Red Rock Canyon School Team for 18 months beginning as a residential care staff. I currently coach the boy's and girl's basketball teams. My teaching motto is, "They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care". In my spare time you can usually find me doing one of two things...fishing and enjoying the Cubs play baseball.

Doug Chappell, IEP Teacher

The best years of my career have been the years I have taught at Red Rock Canyon School. I am the special education teacher and IEP Coordinator. I have a MS degree in Psychology from Utah State University. I have a Special Ed K-12 teaching license, a Level II Math Endorsement, an Elementary Ed teaching license, and a High School Counselor license. I strive to have a positive influence on the students that come to my class each day. I want each student in my class to develop a love of learning.  I make a personal and educational connection with each individual student. 

Robert Gent, PE Coach

I graduated from BYU in 1967 and have continued my education by completing both my Masters and PHD at Westbrook University.  I specialize in English, Spanish and Psychology.  I have over 40 years teaching experience in these areas as well as in coaching football and track.  My philosophy is: To assist each student to realize his potential as a student and human being through self discipline and patience as he completes his weekly goals, specific to his academic abilities. 

Glenda Kimble, IEP/Coral Unit Teacher

I recently moved to St. George from Los Angeles, CA, where I was a High School teacher for twelve years. My past experience involved teaching children with special needs. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Chapman University, located in Orange, CA. Presently, I enjoy visiting the many beautiful sites (parks) in Utah and participating in my hiking ventures with my family.

Mahauni Fuller, Science/Brick Unit Teacher

Bo Hunt, History & Spanish/Steel Unit Teacher

I graduated from Idaho State University in Pocatello Idaho in 2007 with a B.A. in Spanish and a B.A. in history.  I moved to St. George shortly after graduating and have been at Red Rock Canyon School since July of last year.  I have worked with troubled youth for over seven years.  I love my job immensely.  When not teaching I am coaching football and girls basketball for a local high school.

Jeff Oliverson, P.E.

Brittany Church, Language Arts

Brittany received her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. She majored in English Education with a minor in ESL. She is excited to be the new teacher for Green Unit.