MEET OUR STAFF
Jana Roberts: Founder, Director, & Mentor for Beacons of Light
Jana Roberts has had a desire to start up a school since college and is thrilled and humbled to feel the Lord's hand guide her in this endeavor at this time. She’s always had a deep love of learning. She was the kid you’d find asleep with encyclopedias all over her bed and reading in the car on the way to piano lessons. After getting a B.A. in Humanities at Brigham Young University, she did graduate work at George Wythe College, a college founded by Oliver DeMille (author of A Thomas Jefferson Education). Going to school there was a profound learning experience that changed her life and gave her first-hand experience what a leadership education is like. She then taught English, U.S. government and Humanities at Paradigm High School, a TJEd charter school. When she left, the director said he was losing one of his best mentors. She recently wrote (and carried out) the Miracle of America class which was a wonderful experience for her and the students alike. She also has licensed the curriculum to other learning institutions to help distribute it to more students. This inspired her to create and organize more classes to serve more students and to form this mircoschool. Jana has a wonderful husband and four beautiful children whom she has homeschooled from the beginning. She also loves the outdoors, holistic medicine, gardening, playing the piano, good conversations, and the temple.
Steven Roberts: Co-Founder & Financial Director
Steven has a passion for teaching and has had many teaching opportunities throughout his life such as positions as a tutor, research assistant, teaching assistant, gospel doctrine teacher, and teacher of a college finance course he created. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he spoke Spanish and found joy in connecting with people through food, humor, and the gospel. Steven is a published author and has written on finance and religious topics. He also loves public speaking and has won first place in regional awards with Toastmaster’s International and has also been an I.E.E.E. Distinguished Speaker. Steven attended Brigham Young University where he was honored with the Hinckley Scholarship. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and minored in Mathematics. He currently works as an electrical engineer, but his great love is teaching, especially teaching the gospel and is grateful to be the gospel doctrine teacher of his ward at this time. He also enjoys cooking, studying religion, hiking, patriotism, and helping people.
Varci Figuerres: Assistant Director & Mentor for Leadership
Varci Smedley Figuerres enjoys playing the piano, singing, traveling, dabbling with learning languages, and going on walks in nature. She is married with three beautiful daughters ages 12, 10 and 10. She currently teaches Let’s Play Music, tutors with the RISE Reading Program, and teaches the The Signers of the Declaration of Independence class through Belle Ame at Home clubs. She wrote the curriculum for the previously mentioned class and has enjoyed learning more about all 56 signers of the Declaration and all their inspiring stories! She has a passion for history - especially Colonial/early American history. She earned a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University with a double major in history and Russian, and a minor in music. She received a masters degree from the University of Utah and taught elementary school at a private school and public school until she had kids. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia and taught English in China. Varci is full of life, connects well with the students and brings a brightness and energy to the classroom.
Brooke Stephens: Mentor for Key of Liberty
Brooke Stephens is an experienced teacher, entrepreneur and parental rights advocate dedicated to reviving America's civic spirit. She is the Director of Utah Moms for America, the founder of Amplify-USA, a mobile app that empowers citizens, and StoryLabs, a platform that provides civics, history, family-centered sex ed, and language curricula for K-12. Her work is guided by a Master's degree in Critical and Creative Thinking and eight years of experience teaching middle school. More importantly, Brooke’s principles are forged through twenty years of marriage and raising four adopted children. Brooke's teaching approach is built on the belief that strong families and student-centered support are key to raising virtuous individuals. Brooke is honored to mentor your children as they discover the principles of liberty and their role as future leaders.
Courtney Huffman: Mentor for Miracle of America
Courtney is a devoted student and teacher of American history, faith, and freedom and has spent the past decade teaching and mentoring young people in formal and informal settings. As a homeschooling mother, she instills in her children a deep appreciation for liberty, self-governance, and God-given rights. Her daughters compete annually in the Constitution Bee where they have competed at the state level with confidence and are active in the Freedoms Light Foundation. Within her community and church, she has served in various teaching roles that deepen her love for Christ-centered education. She has written tributes, organized projects, and spoken publicly on faith, freedom, and responsibility. Her passion lies in helping young people discover their divine potential, stand boldly for their Savior, and defend the liberties that make this nation unique.
Courtney Whelchel: Mentor for Around the Hearth
Courtney Whelchel was born in Ketchikan, Alaska where she learned to enjoy many summers of 'family vacation' on her father's fishing troller. This experience taught her how to work hard and gave her hour after hour of reading time. Music has always been an important part of her life—she grew up playing the piano and alto saxophone, and has since taken some voice lessons, has learned how to play the organ (with pedals!), and enjoys singing with her family (especially when they do it voluntarily). She teaches piano, currently accompanies Zion’s Youth Choir, and has led a children’s choir. While studying at Brigham Young University, Courtney earned her degree and license in elementary education and, more importantly, met her remarkable other half. Together, they are raising six children and she has homeschooled them for the past 5 years. She has taught in a wide variety of settings, developing creative lesson plans and guiding both small and large groups across multiple subjects. Courtney has a deep love of learning and is passionate about sharing that excitement with others—especially children.
Brittany Keil: Mentor for Science
Brittany Keil began her path in education by teaching Joy School to her young children and neighborhood friends. She later homeschooled her four daughters including teaching her daughters and their friends advanced science which she came to love. She has taught private piano and music theory for many years, nurturing a love for music and learning in her students. In public schools, Brittany has served as a substitute teacher and physical education specialist, managed library programs, organized literacy events, and supported special education students. She is known for creating a positive, inclusive environment where students feel seen, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them. Outside the classroom, Brittany loves hiking, biking, and reading with her husband. She is a proud mother of four daughters, two of whom are now adults—one preparing to serve a mission in Peru. She currently serves in her ward as organist, Primary pianist, and Relief Society teacher. Her life and work reflect a deep commitment to education, faith, family, and lifelong learning.
Jennifer Ouderkirk: Mentor for Wonders of Earth
Jennifer is so excited to be part of Aspire Mountain Academy! She is a mother to two adult boys who attended a Montessori charter school all through elementary (one son through Junior High as well), and a younger daughter whom she has homeschooled for 8 years. Jennifer was also homeschooled herself through Junior High and went on to attend the local community college her Junior & Senior years of High School. After moving to Utah, she completed an Associate of Arts at Weber State. She knows first-hand the value of choosing your own education path and how that can look different for everyone. At the Montessori charter school, she was an active volunteer and substitute teacher for 8 years and loved learning the organic, hands-on, child-led philosophy of Maria Montessori. She has served almost exclusively in primary and scouting at church and has loved it! Jennifer loves gardening, crafting, creating, hiking, nature, history, stories, music, dancing and sharing the joy of learning with children.