MSA Charter Council

Lisa was born, raised, and until very recently, lived in the South.  She is so passionate about Waldorf Education that her family moved from South Carolina to Utah so her two children can attend Mountain Sunrise Academy.  

Lisa homeschooled her children for five years transitioning from a “traditional approach” to a Waldorf-inspired curriculum.  She also taught for four years at a local Waldorf co-op.  Coming from a family of public school educators, the transition to Waldorf felt foreign and uncomfortable at times, but the more she studied and experienced it for herself, the more Waldorf’s whole-child approach to education resonated with her.  She is excited to be a part of the MSA family and spread her love of Waldorf Education.

Prior to homeschooling, Lisa worked for over 15 years in IT roles ranging from Software Developer to Project Manager. She earned her BBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia and her MBA from Coastal Carolina University. 

Lisa enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, skiing, tennis, yoga, and all things involving handwork.

Sienna is a lover of the Arts and Education. Theater has had a major impact on her life. Her love of theater followed her through college, where she earned a BA in Theater and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah. She worked as a reading specialist for the Granite School District for 4 years. Later she combined her two passions in her children’s theater studio where she guides elementary aged children in learning about the theater process and performing. Sienna has 3 beautiful children that keep her busy all the time. When she isn’t busy with mom duties she enjoys hiking, camping and practicing yoga. She is so excited to be a part of this amazing school whose education philosophy aligns so much with her own.

Alyssa was raised in Seattle and Sandy, Utah and now lives in Lehi with her husband and three children. 

She attended Chapman University and completed her degree in Human Development and Family Studies

at the University of Utah. She appreciates the emphasis that Waldorf places on nature and spends as 

much time as possible gardening and playing outdoors with her kids. 

Emily grew up barefoot in the sunshine of southern Indiana, Her interests include reading good books, gardening, laughing at Dad jokes, going on adventures with her three children, dance parties in her living room and eating ice cream for breakfast.

The love of all things Waldorf began with the birth of her first child as she researched a more holistic approach to life.

She graduated with a Bachelors degree in a communications with an emphasis in visual media. She currently enjoys throwing axes with her husband at their business in American Fork.

Emily graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science In Hospitality Management. She is a lifetime Lehi resident. She loves this community and along with her sister is carrying on her Mother’s 56 year established Bridal Center. Emily loves the outdoors and nature and is a facilitator with Utah county’s Free Forest School. Above all her favorite time is in nature or traveling with her husband and two children.

Samantha grew up in Virginia and Montana, which helped her cultivate a love for the trees. She spent the majority of her childhood in the woods, playing in the river, catching frogs, and exploring. She moved to Utah in junior high, where she developed lifelong friends and an appreciation for the mountains. She discovered Waldorf Education while researching alternative education methods for her two young boys, and fell in love with it. And she is excited to be a part of Mountain Sunrise Academy's growth of the Waldorf philosophy. 

Samantha has worked as a High School Lacrosse Coach and a Content Creator for many years, but most recently is a private business owner in the health and wellness industry. 

Samantha spends her free time in nature with her family, playing lacrosse, taking muay thai classes, and LOVES to cook. 

Gina Troop was born and raised in Austin, Texas - which she always thought it was way too hot! So when she visited her sister who attended school in Utah, she knew she found her new home. She lives here now with her husband, 4 children and Mr. Kyle, their canine companion. They love hiking, swimming, exploring, and family trips.

Gina loves education and teaching, and was often on the path to find the right approach for her children and those she taught. She taught for years at performing arts preschools in Texas and Utah. She also taught dance and music for over 20 years.  She loves theater and has directed and choreographed shows for local theaters and arts councils. She holds a communications degree with theater and anthropology minors. She also spent time pursuing a second degree in therapeutic recreation and music.

As kiddos with special needs joined their family, Gina became more involved in special education. She substituted and volunteered often, taught adult literacy, and used movement & music to help struggling students gain new skills. She served as the chair of the Utah Interagency Coordinating Council for early intervention, and still serves on the Utah Special Education Advisory Panel. 

Finding Waldorf education has been a tremendous gift. As a foster mom of 12+ years, she has sought out a nurturing approach that addresses the whole child with a focus on establishing rhythms, well-roundedness, and hands on/movement-based learning.  She believes it's important to incorporate nature/gardening, the arts, handwork, etc., and has seen the benefits of these areas in her home to bring joy and calm.

Gina is thrilled to be a part of Mountain Sunrise Academy and looks forward to serving the school community.