McGillis School

Mary-Brook Townsend, Librarian

Teaching children to explore and investigate library resources while encouraging them to read and imagine through books will help them view the library as a usable sea of information! The smiles, energy, and laughter of children and teens should be the fuel that brings a school library to life.

5 Years Teaching Experienc (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
M.S., Information, University of Michigan (2007)
B.A., English, Vanderbilt University (2004)

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Cazzie Brown, Lower & Middle School Physical Education Teacher

8 Years Teaching Experience (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., Education, Idaho State University.
Cazzie has taught and coached for seven years in Catholic schools and is a former pro-football player.

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Ann Davis, Lower School Spanish Teacher Grades K-3rd

Ann loves reading, Spanish, gardening, black and white photography, and organizing things. She is enrolled in Masters level Reading Endorsement classes at the U and is volunteering at the South Main Clinic as part of the Reach Out and Read program. Ann believes that children should be enthusiastically engaged in their learning with meaningful hands-on learning activities.

14 Years Teaching Experience (14 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., Spanish, University of Utah
Teaching Certification, University of Phoenix

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Josh Goldberg, Lower School Ethics & Cultures Teacher, Middle School Hebrew Teacher, Middle School Foundations Teacher, 6th Grade Advisor

Josh believes that it is the duty of every person to make the world a better place. Through his teaching, he is able to create connections with students, teachers, and school community members, which make that belief a reality. The work he does every day is to make learning meaningful, by being the teacher and the learner. Teaching is his passion.

5 Years Teaching Experience (2 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., History and German, University of Utah
Ulpan Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, Israel
Ulpan (Hebrew Language School), Beersheva, Israel
M.Ed. Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Click here for Mr. Goldberg's professional portfolio

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Jordan McCormack, Lower School Spanish Grades 4 & 5

Jordan believes it is the responsibility of the teacher to help his or her students understand the importance of community and diversity within the community. He has a passion for world languages and cultures and desires to foster that same enthusiasm in students so that teacher and students can enjoy the benefits of learning together.

10 Years Teaching Experience (first at Mcgillis)

Education:
B.A., English and Spanish Literature, Michigan State  (2000)
TEFL/TOEFL/TESL Teaching Certificate from Oxford Seminars
Forth coming degreein Teaching Spanish from the University of Utah.

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Deborah McDermott, Lower & Middle School Visual Arts Teacher

As an art specialist at the McGillis School, Deborah hopes to model creativity, dedication, and persistence for her students. Her goal is to provide authentic art-making experiences and compelling information that helps young people appreciate and enjoy art and what artists do, while they go through the process of making it themselves.

16 Years Teaching Experience (16 years at McGillis/JCC Elementary School)

Education:
B.F.A., University of Utah (1975)
M.F.A., Queens College (1985)

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Tom Moyer, Science Specialist

Tom believes that children are natural scientists and that the best way for them to learn science is to discover how the world works by doing hands-on science. Tom is an engineering designer with a background in robotics. He once worked as an engineer for Lego. He has also designed animated dinosaurs, strength-amplifying "cobots", and most recently a brain-controlled prosthetic hand. Tom enjoys backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountain unicycling.

1 Year Teaching Experience (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992)
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (1989)

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Karen Nielsen-Anson, Drama Specialist

Karen has discovered that the great majority of children want to express themselves through theatre, and that there seems to be an almost innate drive within them to create, to be a part of a production in a number of ways, to act, to sing, to paint, to make scenery and to make meaning of life through drama. Karen believes every child has a spark that longs to shine on stage and that her job is to create an environment of trust, openness, and creativity.

6 Years Teaching Experience (1 year at McGillis)

Karen worked professionally as an actor for ten years in Salt Lake City, Utah primarilymusical theatre. Some of her favorite roles are: Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors," Sonia in "They're Playing our Song," and Winifred in "Once Upon A Mattress."

Education:
B.A., Theatre, Weber State University
M.S.W., University of Utah

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Mazal Peterson, Lower School Hebrew Teacher

Mazal is passionate about sharing her native language and Jewish heritage with American children.

18 Years Teaching Experience (16 years at McGillis/JCC Elementary School)

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Dianne Sanchez, Lower & Middle School Visual Arts Teacher

Dianne believes in creating an art environment that supports risk-taking and a sharing of ideas. In her classroom, she encourages mutual learning where both teacher and students learn through one another. Her ultimate dream at The McGillis School is to successfully teach a comprehensive and balanced art program that not only draws social and personal connections for each child, but also produces artwork that authentically reflects their identity and role as a valuable part of their community.

3 Years Teaching Experience (first year at McGillis)

Education:
B.F.A., Art Teaching-Photography Specialization, University of Utah (2010)
Ed.M., Arts in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2011)

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Teresa Totorica, Athletics Director, Physical Education Teacher, Middle School Foundations Teacher

In her free time, she enjoys skiing, reading, biking and remodeling homes. She also enjoys the time she spends with her two sons.

Number of Years as a Professional Educator: 15

Education:
B.S., Political Science, University of Utah

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John Walker, Lower & Middle School Music Teacher

John believes that music provides a creative opportunity for children from diverse backgrounds and beliefs to discover that differences are essential to making great music.

1 Year Teaching Experience (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., Choral Conducting, University of Utah
Director of Young Choral Artists East/Salt Lake Choral Artists

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