Mrs. Snarr
Principal
I am excited to be the principal of Willow Canyon. My favorite part of teaching and being a principal is when I work with students! I love the honesty of students and building excitement to learn new things.
Being a grandma is one of my most favorite past times. I love to be silly and have a good time!
Something I look forward to most about next school year is spending time with students and teachers!
Mrs. Ballou
Kindergarten
I am Heidi Ballou. I teach the AM & PM half-day Kindergarten at Willow Canyon. My favorite part of teaching is singing songs, reading amazing books and finding interesting things to write about!
I love this school community, because this is my family’s neighborhood. My four daughters were all Wildcats! My family loves to roast s’mores in the canyon, go on fun vacations and play frisbee. I am finishing a Masters of Education in Culture & Society at the University of Utah this December.
I always love getting to know new students, who become my favorite people to see each day! Kindergarten is the best place to watch kids bloom. I love being right there with them, helping solidify early reading and writing skills!
Mrs. Clawson
Kindergarten
I will be teaching Supplemental Kindergarten. I love teaching Kindergarten! Not only do we have so much fun, but we also learn so much! It is so fun to see how much the students learn and grow during the year.
An interesting fact about me is that I have wanted to teach kindergarten since I was in kindergarten myself.
I am looking forward to another year at Willow Canyon. I have loved being here and I can’t wait to have another group of Kindergartners.
Mrs. Cameron
1st grade
My name is Michelle Cameron. I will be teaching first grade. One thing I love about first grade is the HUGE amount of knowledge students learn about reading and writing. It is so fun helping first graders learn how to figure out what letter combinations go together correctly in different words. Another thing I LOVE about first grade is watching students grow into independent learners. Their attention spans increase, they enjoy playing and interacting in more elaborate activities and are able to build stronger relationships with peers.
One interesting fact is that I have been teaching long enough that I have students I have taught that are graduating from college. Another fact is that I have two children of my own and they are both now in college.
I am excited to help kindergarten students transition into being at school all day. Being able to eat in the lunchroom, have 2 recesses a day and have your own desk makes first grade very special.
WELCOME to FIRST GRADE! I am looking forward to meeting you next year!
Ms. Hoffman
1st Grade
Hello! I am so excited to be teaching first grade again! My most favorite part of teaching is seeing the kids become a cooperative community and grow right before my eyes!
An interesting fact about me is some years ago I found a 2” section of a Stegosaurus bone on an archeological dig in Eastern Montana. How cool is that?!
I’m looking forward to another year of working with amazing teachers and awesome Wildcats!
Mrs. Christensen
2nd Grade
I will be teaching second grade. I love teaching second grade! One of my favorite things about teaching is being able to help create and celebrate success and achievement.
Something interesting about me is that I love to play pickle ball! I have been playing for over 20 years!
One thing that I am looking forward to in the upcoming year is working with and getting to know Mrs. Jensen better.
Mrs. Jensen
2nd Grade
I am so excited to be teaching second grade next year with Mrs. Christensen! My favorite part of teaching is teaching students and helping them learn and grow.
One interesting fact about me is that I am married to a pilot, and we have four amazing children. I am looking forward to learning all about second grade!
Mrs. Blanchat
3rd Grade
Hi, My name is Ms. Blanchat and I will be teaching 3rd grade. I have taught 3rd grade in the past here at Willow Canyon and in both Washington & Idaho. I LOVE third graders!
My favorite thing about teaching is helping kids achieve their highest potential and watching the amazing progress they make.
I love jogging, skiing and bicycling. Next year I am really looking forward to the new science curriculum.
Ms. Hardy-Smith
3rd Grade
I will be teaching 3rd grade next year.
My favorite part about teaching is watching the students what they finally understand a new topic and seeing the big smiles on their faces when they say, “I get it!”
An interesting fact about me is that when I was in my 20s I would perform on a big stage with 2,500 people watching, in Musicals, singing and dancing.
I am looking forward to meeting my new students and watching them grow and get excited about all the learning we do.
Mrs. Hilton
3rd Grade
I will be teaching 3rd grade next year. My favorite thing about teaching is working each day with students and celebrating their achievements as they tackle new concepts and challenges. I also enjoy each day as it is always different as we learn and grow together. I love when my students overcome challenges and continue to strive to do their very best.
One interesting fact about me is that I have a son who was a stunt double in a Disney movie filmed here in Utah.
The thing I am looking forward to the most is moving to a new grade and teaching students I had last year again this upcoming year! It will be amazing to see how much they grow and learn as we pick up where we left off.
Mrs. Comer
4th Grade
I am excited to be teaching 4th grade again. I love Willow Canyon! One of my favorite things about teaching is that everyday brings something new. I also love to see how proud students are when they work hard at something and finally catch on.
Something interesting about me is that I have gone skydiving. I loved every moment of it and would love to go again sometime.
Next school year I get to work with a new teammate, Mrs. Glauser. I am excited to get to know her better. I am also looking forward to getting to know each of my new students.
Mrs. Glauser
4th Grade
I am excited to be teaching 4th grade for the 2022-2023 school year.
My favorite part of teaching is watching a student apply the concepts and skills they have learned and connect them to their own lives. I also love when they can apply their knowledge and think outside of the box to solve problems. Lastly, I love when they keep pushing themselves to do better and then are able to achieve those goals they have set.
An interesting fact about me is that I love to create. When I have an idea in my head I like to see it come to life.
This coming year I am looking forward to meeting new faces and welcoming familiar ones to my classroom. I am excited to be able to see the student’s bright smiles as they walk into my classroom ready to learn, and then to see those lightbulbs going off in their heads when they understand what is being taught.
Mrs. Morrison
5th Grade
I will be teaching fifth grade next year and it will be my 27th year at Willow Canyon!
My favorite part of teaching is knowing that each day has something fabulous to offer. No two days of teaching are ever the same, so it keeps the job entertaining and never mundane. 😊 I also love watching the joy of learning through the eyes of my students.
A couple of interesting facts about me are: I married an identical twin and ended up having triplets.
This upcoming year, I look forward to having another great group of students enter my classroom. I have a hard time letting my kids leave and move on to middle school, but I always look forward to getting to know another fabulous class of fifth graders. I also always look forward to working with a great team of teachers to ensure success in our grade level.
Ms. Winter
5th Grade
Hello! I’m Ms. Winter and I am so excited to be teaching 5th grade this year. This will be my first year teaching 5th grade and I am so looking forward to moving up a grade after teaching 4th for quite a few years. I’m also super excited to teach a whole new curriculum!
My absolute favorite part of teaching is getting to know unique personalities of students and watching as they get excited to learn new concepts.
An interesting fact about me is that I have lived on three islands and love being by water!
Mrs. Winzenried
5th Grade
My name is Wendy Winzenried and I will be teaching fifth grade. My favorite part of teaching is that magic moment when I see that a student “gets it!” It is especially satisfying when it is a concept that the student has really been struggling with.
An interesting fact about me is I love to read and I have been known to finish a really good book in a day! I most look forward to getting to know a new group of students. Fifth grade is the absolute best and my favorite grade that I have ever taught!
Mrs. Blackman
Extended Core
I will be teaching the extended core class for 1st-3rd grade. I love seeing my students feel like they are king or queen of the world when they master new skills.
An interesting fact about me is that I can unwrap a starburst while doing a head stand. The thing I look forward to the most about next school year is helping my students reach their goals and providing an environment where my students feel safe and loved.
Mrs. Cox
Extended Core
I will be teaching the Extended Core Classroom Grades 3-5
I love being with kids and watching them learn and grow. Seeing their progress from the beginning of the year to the end of the year is always such a fun and rewarding experience for me.
One interesting fact about me is that I have 4 kids but have only been pregnant once. (Two step-kids, or as I prefer to call them my bonus kids and twin girls)
This year I am excited to be coming to Willow Canyon. I’m excited for the change and look forward to working with new people and gaining new insights and skills as we work together.
Mrs. Brown
Resource Teacher
Mrs. Oleson
Librarian
I’m the lucky librarian. I get to enjoy all grades from kindergarten to fifth grade.
My favorite part of teaching is finding that new book to read aloud and having the students love it!!
A fun fact about me is I have a twin brother named Kevin. We grew up with horses and I love to ride.
What I look most forward to this upcoming year…sparking an interest of reading that will last a lifetime.
Mrs. Ward
Engineering Technician
As the STEM teacher I get to interact with all of the wonderful students at Willow Canyon. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the student light up about new information and new ideas. Truly the students are the best part of teaching at the school. I enjoy spending time traveling and in the outdoors with my family, horseback riding, hiking, camping, and any time on the beach. I look forward to continuing to help the students gain a love and understanding of all of the fun and exciting opportunities that STEM involves.
Mrs. Ehninger
Playworks Technician
I am the Playworks PE Coach. This is my fourth-year teaching PE. Before teaching PE, I spent 11 years working in Special Education.
My last name is different, how you say it is vinegar without the “v” (vinegar, -inegar). I will be celebrating 34 years of marriage this summer. I have two sons that are married. Everyone in my family is 4 – 12 inches taller than me. In my family, they call me “Shorty.” Guess what, when you get taller than me and you are still a student at this school, you get to call me Mrs. Shorty too. This year we had 4 students that got to call me by my nickname.
Mr. Hanson
Art Teacher
As a Brain Booster Art Teacher I will have the opportunity to teach all grade levels from K to 5 as well as two extended core classes. My favorite part of teaching is seeing an element or principle of art become a part of a child’s ability to create. Often, these are real baby steps but just might trigger a love of art, as it did for me when I was in elementary school.
An interesting fact about me is that I have served in two branches of the military, I lived for two years in a foreign country and have a developed a great love for the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms and liberties we take for granted. I am so grateful that we stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning at Willow Canyon.
I look forward to a year of teaching without the cumbersome restrictions Covid-19 placed upon teachers and students.
Ms. VanTassel
Social Worker
I will be working with grades K-5. I love working in a school because it is exciting to celebrate student’s progress with their whole team (teachers, family, school staff).
Something interesting about me is that I love to go thrift shopping!
The thing I look forward to most about next school year is the Willow Canyon Food Pantry! Feel free to ask me if you have any questions about it.
Dr. Brown
School Psychologists
I earned my doctoral degree at Arizona State University and this will be my 10th year working as a school psychologist in the Canyons School District.
Some of my favorite things about working in an elementary school are book fairs and playing games with the students at recess or in the gym.
One interesting fact you may not know about me is that I won a car on a family trip as a part of Disneyland’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. I’m excited to be back at Willow Canyon this year, and I’m especially looking forward to spending time with our amazing Extended Core students.
Mrs. Watts
Speech Pathologist
I will be continuing to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist (aka “Speech Teacher”) during the upcoming school year. I love my profession and the best part of it is getting to know some wonderful students.
Of course, what I look forward to the most during the upcoming year is the chance to work with some of my former students and the opportunity I will have to meet new students.
One interesting fact about me is the I love to do genealogy and recently found out that my great-grandfather was born in 1808!
Mrs. Greene
Instructional Coach
Hello! My name is Jessica Greene and I am the Instructional Coach for all teachers and students at Willow Canyon. My favorite part of teaching is trying new things and making learning fun for students. I also like to make things easier for teachers, too.
An interesting fact about me is I ran in the Boston Marathon in 2014 – it’s a really long race that you have to be fast enough to qualify for. I am not that fast anymore. 😊
I am looking forward to meeting everyone at Willow Canyon and getting to know some of the Wildcat traditions. Can’t wait to be with you all in the fall!
