MSA Charter Council

Mindy lives in Highland, Utah with her husband and 3 children who all attend Mountain Sunrise Academy. She is a huge proponent of Waldorf Education and is thrilled to have a Waldorf school in the area. She has done many Waldorf trainings and conferences and loves the emphasis on Whole Child Development. Mindy graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in horticulture. Her ideal afternoon is spent embroidering (or any other form of handwork) on her front porch surrounded by nature with friends.

Bill was raised in the Pacific Northwest, and he now lives in Draper with his family. Three of his five children are adults, and his youngest child attends Mountain Sunrise Academy. He holds a degree in psychology and law. He runs a civil practice and provides executive coaching.

Experienced in various education methods, he champions Waldorf Education. He is dedicated to Mountain Sunrise Academy's mission and vision. He loves the Utah wilderness and enjoys skiing, backpacking, and mountain biking.

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. 

Bryn was raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah and grew up with an appreciation for this beautiful state. She received her B.A.in Cello Performance from Utah State University and a M.A. in Cello Performance from the University of Akron. She taught orchestra in the Provo School District for three years, and has maintained a Cello studio for over 15 years.

She now resides in Orem, Utah with her husband and three children. She loves hiking, reading, meaningful conversations and musical collaborations. She is dreadful at handwork, but hopes to learn alongside her children as they progress through Mountain Sunrise Academy. She is inspired by Waldorf’s whole child philosophy and is thrilled to be a part of the community at Mountain Sunrise Academy.

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. 

Shandice had a wonderful childhood in a close-knit community in Kearns, Utah. Growing up, her family instilled in her the belief that education is transformative. She earned a B.S. in Computer Science at the University of Utah. Later, she received an M.S. in Data Analytics from Western Governor's University, where she currently works as an engineer.

A few years ago, Shandice, along with her husband, two children, and their little dog, moved to Saratoga Springs, primarily because of Mountain Sunrise Academy. They enjoy biking, traveling, creating things, and being together.

Shandice believes that every child deserves access to a quality, equitable education. Shandice is a strong advocate of the Waldorf philosophy and is committed to its principles, which she believes provide a close community to grow in and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Steve Southwick grew up in Orem and currently lives in Lehi with his wife and three children, 
where the oldest two attend Mountain Sunrise Academy. He has degrees from BYU and the 
University of Chicago.

He is the founder of an education publishing company that provides career and elective 
curriculum to high schools.

Seeing the positive impact that a Waldorf Education has had in his children’s lives, 
he is excited to contribute to the Mountain Sunrise Community.