Meet Our Staff
Administration
Marketing / Admissions
Clinical Department
Residential
Accounting Administration
School
Brent Hall, LMFT
Executive Director
Brent came to Discovery Academy in 2000 after completing his graduate studies in marriage and family therapy at San Diego State University. While in Southern California, Brent worked with adolescent females in a residential setting specializing in sexual trauma and victim issues.
Prior to that, Brent completed his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University where he worked for three years as a summer camp counselor with teens visiting the college for sports, music, dance, and academic programs.
Originally from Idaho, in his spare time Brent likes to ski, hike, and read.
Matt Hendry, LCMHC
Clinical Director
Matt came to Discovery Academy in 2003. He received his degree from the University of Utah and is certified with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Before joining the Discovery Academy team, Matt worked specifically in substance abuse treatment. Matt is a certified ropes course instructor and has a passionate commitment to experiential therapy. He believes we often learn by doing, and he works hard to create opportunities for students to gain insight through experiential activities, as well as through traditional exercises. Matt is originally from Colorado and enjoys sharing outdoor adventures with his children. He hopes that his children enjoy the outdoors as much as he does.
Laura Steffens
Residential Director
Laura has been with Discovery Academy since 1992. She began as a mentor, served as the Girls’ Program Coordinator for over ten years, and is currently the Residential Director. Laura is responsible for a large department of dedicated mentors and the development of student daily programming. Believing that building relationships is a key principle to working with youth, Laura has integrated community service, theater, athletic teams, and student clubs into the student schedule where staff and students work together to build supportive relationships. Laura is originally from Reno, Nevada and enjoys traveling and antiquing with family, snowboarding, and boating.
Nick Pakidko, M.Ed.
Curriculum specialist
Nick came to Discovery Academy in 2014 and he brings with him 34 years of therapeutic educational experience including a wealth of information and wisdom to our school and industry.
Nick has earned two masters’ degrees in special education, art and design from Brigham Young University and he also holds a third graduate degree in educational administration and supervision. He has spent over three decades working in residential treatment schools with adolescents experiencing behavioral and learning difficulties. The father of five boys, Nick enjoys Australian Rules football, sixties music, geopolitics, religious reading, fine arts, including Kenpo karate and surfing.
Melanie Evans
Admissions Coordinator
Melanie has been with Discovery Academy since November 2014. She began as the Office Manager and is currently the Admissions Coordinator. Prior to Discovery Academy, Melanie worked in the career college industry for over seven years where her focus was student success. Melanie enjoys traveling, crafting, shopping, music, watching cooking shows with her teenage sons and spending time with her extended family at their family lodge in Idaho.
Laurie Laird, M.Ed.
Headmaster
Laurie recently joined the Discovery Academy team after serving as Education Director for fifteen years at an adolescent female residential program along with one year as Executive Director for a preteen program. Prior to working in residential treatment, Laurie taught in the public school system, both in junior high and high school. Laurie graduated in secondary education from Brigham Young University and has a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling. Laurie taught on the college level for six years at the University of Phoenix, in the education and math departments. Passionate about providing quality education experience for youth, Laurie brings her education and experience to best serve the academic program at Discovery Academy. Laurie enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with her four children and two grandchildren.
Bill Cluff, MS
Teacher
Bill came to Discovery Academy in the fall of 2015. He received a BS degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University in 1983, and an MS in electrical engineering from Cal State Fullerton in 1988. Bill worked in aerospace and software development for 20 years before returning to Utah Valley University to study math and science education in 2003. He received his Utah state secondary education teaching license with endorsements in math (level 4) and physics in 2004. He then taught math in Utah public high schools for eight years. Bill enjoys the challenge of playing trumpet and performs in civic and dance band groups. He also likes motorcycle riding, fiber arts, puzzles, and reading.
Alan Barrett
Business Manager
Alan joined Discovery Academy as the first person hired when the program opened its doors in 1989. He was born and raised in Orem, Utah and has lived in Utah all his life. Alan attended Brigham Young University where he graduated with a degree in business management. He and his wife Kathy are the parents of ten children.
Dorothy AhQuin, CMHC
Therapist
Dorothy has been with Discovery Academy since 1992. She is a certified Special Education teacher and a Licensed Professional Counselor. In addition to her therapeutic experience, she taught high school for twenty years, where she had a passion for motivating students who had fallen behind academically. Dorothy believes that academics and therapy work together in treatment of adolescents. It often takes success in both for students to begin the discovery of who they are and what they can become. When Dorothy isn’t busy fulfilling her unique role at Discovery Academy she enjoys cooking, reading, quilting, traveling, spending time with family, and camping.
Christin Prestwich, LAMFT
Therapist / Admissions Director
Christin came to Discovery Academy in 2012 after graduating with a degree in marriage and family therapy from Argosy University. Prior to joining Discovery Academy, she worked with adult clients in an addiction recovery program. A native of southern Utah, Christin enjoys traveling, the beach, exercising, reading, shopping and time with loved ones.
Brian Allred, LCMHC
Clinical Director
Brian comes to Discovery Academy with over 26 years of experience working with youth in a variety of treatment settings. A licensed professional counselor, Brian is a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Over the course of his career he has worked as a therapist, clinical supervisor, program director, and clinical director. He has helped hundreds of youth and their families work through problems that included chemical addictions, mental health issues and behavioral problems. A self-described”gym rat,” Brian enjoys a variety of sports and recreational activities. His favorite pastime is watching his children perform in band and show choir competitions.
Nate Porter, AMHC
Therapist
Nate joined the Discovery Academy team in 2006 where he worked first as a front line mentor, then a supervisor, and then as the Boys Program Coordinator for four years while working on his Master degree and joining the clinical department as a therapist. Prior to working at Discovery Academy, Nate worked at the Utah State Hospital where he received extensive training in adolescent care in relation to mental and social issues. Nate and his wife have two sons. When he’s not working or studying, Nate loves coaching high school football, watching sports, going on dates with his wife, and playing video games with his boys.
Ann Ngatai, Ed.D.
Therapist
Ann came to Discovery Academy during the summer of 2014. She received her Masters degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University before going on to earn her Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology. Before joining the Discovery Academy team, Ann worked with adolescents and early adolescents in multiple settings. Ann’s philosophy is that when more senses are integrated in therapy, as in experiential therapy, a long-lasting impact is made. Ann is originally from California but has lived in Japan and Hawaii before settling in Utah. She enjoys biking through the canyons of Utah with her children, watching documentaries with her husband and quilting.
Austin Haacke, MS
Therapist
Austin began working at Discovery Academy in 2016, Austin has many years of experience working with youth; four years as a front line staff and two years as an IEP and testing coordinator at a residential treatment center while earning his master’s degree in counseling. Austin is fluent in Spanish and was a Cued Language Translator working with deaf individuals in a school setting. Throughout his career, Austin has developed a passion for experiential therapy and places a great deal of importance in new experiences–especially seeing how individuals and families react in new situations. When he is not doing therapy, he is enjoying time with his wife and two children fishing, working the bees, training service dogs and gardening.
Corey Dixon,
Assistant Special Ed Coordinator/Teacher
#Cory is the Assistant Special Ed Coordinator/Teacher. He came to Discovery Academy in 2010, he helped start the Discovery Connections program. He has a bachelor’s degree in technology management from Utah Valley University. His special education teaching certificate is from Prescott College. Cory has a dual teaching license in special education and computer science. Before starting to work in the education field, Cory worked in the computer industry for 20 years in quality assurance for hardware, networking and computer programs. He worked with special needs students for 6 years in public schools. He and his wife live on a small farm and enjoy spending time with their 5 children and new granddaughter. He also enjoys science fiction fantasy movies & books, talk shows, outdoor activities and is an all around handyman.
Barbara Davis
Admissions Coordinator
Barbara Davis, Admissions Coordinator. Please feel free to call anytime to discuss the placement of your son or daughter in any of our Programs!
Logan Roberts, BA
Residential Director
Logan came to Discovery Academy in August of 2011 and has earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and is currently working on his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Logan began his career at Discovery Academy as a front line staff and has since worked as a shift supervisor, the boys program coordinator, staff services coordinator and is now the residential director. Logan works closely with the students and program coordinators in making sure the daily program is meeting student’s needs. Logan loves being outside and spending time with his wife and son. Some of Logan’s hobbies include: camping, hiking, boating and snowboarding.
Jen Festi
Girls’ Program Coordinator
Jen worked for five years in a residential treatment program as a mentor and house supervisor before coming to Discovery Academy as the Girl’s Program Coordinator. She enjoys the challenge of working with at-risk youth, especially in the girl’s program. Her greatest reward has been the satisfaction of helping young women find confidence in their talents and abilities, and watching them work towards achieving individual goals. Jen is the mother of three spirited (and sometimes challenging) children of her own. She was born in Virginia, and has had the opportunity to live in many exciting places during her life including, California, Utah, Illinois, North Carolina and Japan (where she taught English conversation classes with a young daughter in tow). Jen likes the outdoor landscape of Utah, camping, film, poetry, art, and collecting family pets.
Marliett Davis, MSW
Therapist
Tara Huber
Student Service Coordinator
Tara has been with Discovery Academy since the summer of 1999. She started as a mentor, served as the Girls Program Coordinator and the Boys Program Coordinator, and is currently the Student Service Coordinator. Tara’s responsibilities include however are not limited to student wardrobe, medical and dental coordination, service projects, and student needs. Prior to her employment at Discovery Academy, Tara worked for 10 years in the medical field primarily with geriatric patients. She is from right here in Utah Valley and enjoys spending time with family & friends, going to the beach, and the theatre.
Monique Hadley, MA
Academic Counselor
Helping Discovery Academy students arrange their schedules and plan for their academic futures keeps Monique busy. The mother of four boys, Monique earned her bachelors degree at the University of Utah. She also holds a masters degree in school guidance counseling from the University of Phoenix. Monique has spent the past 21 years working in education and career counseling. When she’s not at work, Monique enjoys being with her family, traveling, reading and going to the movies.
Mark Edwards, MA
Academic Counselor
Mark first came to Discovery Academy in 1990. Since that time he has held many different positions including mentor, assistant boys’ program director, and art/English/history teacher. He is currently one of our academic counselors. Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in art education from Brigham Young University and has certifications in commercial art and graphic art. He also holds a master’s degree in school guidance counseling. He is married and has two boys. He enjoys the outdoors, photography, and scuba diving.
Tima Rugino, MSW, BA
Math Teacher
Tima joined Discovery Academy as a math teacher in July of 2015. She received her master of social work degree from BYU and a BS in mathematics education with a minor in health education from BYU- Idaho. She has been teaching math for six years (five of those have been at therapeutic boarding schools in Utah). Tima loves being in the outdoors, and enjoys everything from hiking, climbing, rafting, snowboarding and split-boarding in the back country.
Kristi Steimle, BA
Registrar
Kristi came to Discovery Academy in 2000 after earning her bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham Young University. Kristi’s multiple talents have helped her serve our organization in a variety of capacities in educational support over the years. She currently works as the school’s registrar. She loves musical theater and working alongside the students in the drama productions. Kristi enjoys seeing the change that comes over Discovery Academy students as they grow and progress, and feels honored to play a part in their development.
Randall Davis
Teacher
A talented teacher and administrator, Randall first joined the Discovery Academy faculty in 1997. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in both English and Spanish and has also earned a master’s degree in secondary education from BYU. Randall has spent the past 35 years teaching in public schools in Utah and Idaho. While he calls Florida home, Randall’s lived in 22 different places from coast to coast over his lifetime. He and his wife are the parents of four grown children. In his spare time, Randall loves spending time with his family and documenting his family history. He also enjoys collecting record albums, cookbooks, traveling and working out.
Coleen Gleason, BA
Teacher
Coleen came to Discovery Academy in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English/secondary education from Brigham Young University, but she gave up her successful teaching career to raise and mostly home-school her seven children. Later, when most of her children were grown, she found that she enjoyed working with students with special challenges when she taught GED classes for several years. A published author, she especially loves helping students learn to write. Coleen enjoys reading, writing, cooking, alternative health, and camping with her large family. She has been married for over thirty-five years and has twenty grandchildren.
Elaine Layosa, MA
Teacher
Elaine came to Discovery Academy in 1992. After graduating in microbiology and chemistry from Brigham Young University, she moved to southern California and worked as a microbiologist in the food and flavor industry. She later completed a degree in secondary education at California State University and earned her master’s degree in educational counseling in June 2005. Elaine has been a high school teacher since 1985 and has taught biology, chemistry, A.P. chemistry, physics, A.P. physics, principles of technology, and ESL. Elaine enjoys anything that has to do with science, hanging out with her grandchildren, reading, hiking, and going on road trips. Elaine was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jonathan Montgomery, BS
Teacher
Jonathan joined Discovery Academy in 2012 after obtaining his degree from Western Governors University. He also completed a degree at Snow College. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi National Education Association. Before Discovery Academy, Jonathan worked for eight years investigating and preventing Internet fraud. He followed his passion for science into the education field where he now encourages critical thinking, exploration, and hands-on activities to help students gain a rich appreciation for the natural world. Jonathan is from Utah, has been a martial arts instructor, and often explores the night sky with his telescope.
Thomas Richards, MA
Teacher
Thomas Richards joined Discovery Academy in 2011 and holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in biochemistry. He’s been teaching in Utah for more than 18 years. When he’s not in the classroom, he enjoys fishing, backpacking and spending time with his family.
Courtney Wikle
Teacher
Courtney came to Discovery Academy in 2012 after graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics Education from Brigham Young University. She has taught Pre-Calculus and Secondary Math 2 at the high school level. Growing up near Portland, Oregon, Courtney has developed a passion for the outdoors. She enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, wakeboarding, and almost anything else that can be done outside. She played tennis and volleyball in high school and still tries to play as often as she can. More than anything, however, Courtney loves hanging out with her family. She is the seventh out of eight children and currently has 25 nieces and nephews.
Robert Stoddard, BS
Teacher
Robert came to Discovery Academy in 2005. He earned his associate’s degree from Utah Valley University and his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. He is currently a master’s candidate at the University of Utah. After high school, Robert spent some time overseas in Portugal and the Cape Verde Islands. Before joining the faculty at Discovery Academy, Robert taught for several years in the public school system. Robert and his wife have been married since 1994 and have four children: two boys and two girls. Robert loves to spend time with his family, reading history books, and playing or coaching sports. He grew up near Seattle, Washington.
Debbie Heselton, BS
Special Education
Deborah came to Discovery Academy in 2012 after working with troubled youth at Discovery Ranch for three years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Utah Valley University, and taught and practiced master aesthetics. She also has experience with teaching students that have special challenges within the public school system, as well as teaching in the private business sector. She raised her five children in Utah and has six grandchildren, who are the light of her life. A New England native from Massachusetts; she’s lived in New York, Idaho, California and Hawaii. Deborah enjoys cooking, reading, photography, hiking and spending time with family.
Michelle Bishop, BS
Teacher
Michelle came to Discovery Academy in the summer of 2013 after working with students in a treatment setting for the past three years teaching Geometry and Algebra II . Michelle graduated from Utah State University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics Secondary Education. She loves teaching and helping students understand and enjoy math. Michelle has lived in Utah her entire life and loves the different seasons that come each year. In the summer she loves to hike, boat and camp. During the winters she loves to go snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sledding. Michelle also loves to travel and hopes to make it to all seven continents one day.
Delicia Barker, BA
Teacher
Delicia joined the team at Discovery Academy in 2014 after graduating from Utah Valley University with her bachelor’s degree in English Education. Before becoming the English and Social Studies teacher at Discovery Academy, Delicia enjoyed teaching beginning and intermediate piano lessons and spent some of her spare time tutoring students in English, history, and other various subjects. When she is not in class, Delicia loves to camp, play classical music on the piano, and practice calligraphy.
Luda Antujchow
Food Services Director
Luda Antujchow has been with Discovery Academy since 1994. She received a degree from a culinary college in the Ukraine and spent 15 years as a professional chef in one of the most prominent restaurants in her Ukrainian home town. She is passionate about cooking and adds a little bit of love to every dish she prepares. Luda credits Discovery Academy students (and television) with helping her learn to speak English. She says one of the proudest days of her life was when she received her full American citizenship in 2009.
Oleg Antujchow
Facilities Manager
Oleg Antujchow came to work at the Academy in 1994. He graduated a Ukrainian technical college and left his wife and daughters in the Ukraine to forge a new life for the family in America. He had no way of knowing he would be joining another family – the Discovery Academy family. As facilities manager, Oleg keeps mechanical systems running properly and the grounds and buildings beautifully maintained. He feels it is important for Discovery students to learn basic maintenance and repair skills and he enjoys teaching them. (He also loves accompanying students on fishing trips.) Nine months after joining Discovery Academy, Oleg was able to send for his wife and daughters. He says mastering English and the American culture was difficult but he feels proud to be an American citizen.
Allie Taylor, CSW
Therapist
Allie was born and raised in the south, her enjoyment for the arts, particularly singing and dancing, came at a young age. By the time Allie graduated from high school, she had been in over two dozen musicals and productions. Allie received her BA in psychology and a minor in music at Brigham Young University-Idaho. While there, she learned to teach piano and voice as well as learned a greater love for the arts. Allie then went on to receive her Master’s of social work from Brigham Young University. Before joining the team at Discovery Academy she worked with struggling adolescents and helping families become a cohesive team. She has a passion for finding the positive qualities in others and helping them reach their true potential. Her hobbies include hiking, trips to the dog park, anything in the arts, and cuddling up on the couch with a good book or movie.