EXECUTIVE TEAM

Jon Larsen, M.S. LMFT

Executive Director

Jon received his Master of Science Degree from Auburn University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to coming to Mountain Springs Academy, he worked as a therapist and clinical director at two different residential treatment centers (one large co-ed facility and one smaller girls-only facility). 

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Jon Larsen, M.S. LMFT

Jon Larsen, M.S. LMFT

Executive Director

Shawnale Wilson

Admission's Director

Shawnale has over two decades of experience in Admissions for adolescent treatment programs and is excited to work with families and students at Mountain Springs.  

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Shawnale Wilson

Shawnale Wilson

Admission's Director

Becca Black, BS

Academic Director

Becca was born and raised in Blanding, Utah. She attended Southern Utah University here in Cedar City, where she received a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Physics.

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Becca Black, BS

Becca Black, BS

Academic Director

Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Assistant Executive Director

Ariel has worked at Mountain Springs since 2006.  She is dedicated to helping youth transform their lives through meaningful relationships and experiences. She has always worked—and plans to always work—with youth in both educational and recreational settings. 

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Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Assistant Executive Director

Megan Henningson

Director of Operations

Megan has been with Mountain Springs since 2006.  She began her MSPA career as a line staff/mentor, has cooked for the students, was the Morning Team Leader, Staff Manager and now the Director of Operations.  Megan graduated Southern Utah University in May 2007 with a Bachelor's in Psychology.  

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Megan Henningson

Megan Henningson

Director of Operations

Taylor Krumm

Program Manager

Taylor joined the Mountain Springs Team in 2020. She started as a Mentor, then was our Bridge Manager for two years, and is now working as our Program Manager. Taylor discovered her passion in serving troubled youth when she worked at an agency for disabled youth. 

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Taylor Krumm

Taylor Krumm

Program Manager

Tawny Thomas, LCSW

CERTS Chief Operating Officer

Tawny is CERTS Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to this position, Tawny served in other capacities at CERTS.  She was the Executive Director of Kolob Canyon and Moonridge Academy for over 10 years.  Most recently she was the CERTS Director of Marketing and Business Development.

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Tawny Thomas, LCSW

Tawny Thomas, LCSW

CERTS Chief Operating Officer

Marcy Clark

Director of Marketing and Outreach

After raising her kids to the age of elementary school, Marcy decided to put some time and energy into being a part of something bigger.  She started working as a mentor in a residential setting.  Shortly after that she transitioned to the admission team and then to the position of Admissions Director. 

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Marcy Clark

Marcy Clark

Director of Marketing and Outreach

 

 ADVISORS 

Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Assistant Executive Director

Ariel has worked at Mountain Springs since 2006.  She is dedicated to helping youth transform their lives through meaningful relationships and experiences. She has always worked—and plans to always work—with youth in both educational and recreational settings.

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Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Ariel Rhoades, M.Ed.

Assistant Executive Director

Kensie Savage

Advisor

Kensie graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Family Life and Human Development and a minor in Psychology. Kensie has worked with children and teenagers at DCFS and in a Residential Treatment Center, working with students who come from many different backgrounds. All have experienced various types of trauma and struggle to find the best versions of themselves. 

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Kensie Savage

Kensie Savage

Advisor

Russell Cowley, MFA

Advisor

Russell began his own adult journey by earning a degree in Music Performance from DePaul University, and an MFA from the California Institute of the arts. Since then, he has worked with teens as a teacher and mentor. He first began teaching college music courses at CalArts, and as a private music instructor. 

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Russell Cowley, MFA

Russell Cowley, MFA

Advisor

Brooklyn Blanchard

Advisor

Brooklyn carries an unwavering passion for empowering youth to triumph over life’s hurdle. Brooklyn’s mission is to guide, support, and uplift youth to help them conquer challenges and embark on a journey towards success...

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Brooklyn Blanchard

Brooklyn Blanchard

Advisor

TJ Penrod

Advisor

TJ Penrod has worked mentoring teens for over 20 years in residential programs and in the community.  Prior to joining the Advisor Team at Mountain Springs, TJ worked as a Residential Director at another one of the CERTS Programs.  At that same program, TJ taught Social Studies for a few years.  

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TJ Penrod

TJ Penrod

Advisor

 

ACADEMICS

Becca Black, BS

Academic Director/Physics Teacher

Becca was born and raised in Blanding, Utah. She is received her Bachelor's degree through Southern Utah University, where she is majored in Mathematics. She is also receiving a minor in Physics as it is her “guilty pleasure”. Becca is passionate about math and science and loves making these subjects fun for her students.

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Becca Black, BS

Becca Black, BS

Academic Director/Physics Teacher

Mark Howard, BS

Social Studies Teacher

Mark graduated from Utah State University with a B.S. in History and Geography. He has taught Social Studies, computers, language, and coached sports teams and academic teams for 35 years in Nevada. While teaching there he received Teacher of the Year award from the district and his academic team won two state championships. 

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Mark Howard, BS

Mark Howard, BS

Social Studies Teacher

Denice Daughton, BS

Science Teacher

Denice graduated from Southern Utah University with Bachelor's in Science in Science & Health with an emphasis in teaching. In 2012 she was awarded Outstanding Educator of the Year. Denice's philosophy on education is "I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day". 

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Denice Daughton, BS

Denice Daughton, BS

Science Teacher

Rebecca Jorgensen, M. Ed.

English Teacher

Rebecca built her career teaching English in Iron County School District’s alternative programs where her passion for helping at-risk teens develop skills in literacy and critical thinking was honored with the prestigious Power of the Dream award. She has a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design from Southern Utah University.

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Rebecca Jorgensen, M. Ed.

Rebecca Jorgensen, M. Ed.

English Teacher

Carlie Hulet, BS

Art and Special Education Teacher

Carlie Hulet is from Hurricane, Utah. She received her Bachelor's in Math Education with an Art minor from Southern Utah University in 2009 and has been teaching in Iron County ever since. Carlie has a passion for learning and continued her education taking masters classes at SUU and received a Special Education Endorsement during her first year of teaching. 

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Carlie Hulet, BS

Carlie Hulet, BS

Art and Special Education Teacher

Erin Ashdown, M.Ed.

Math Teacher

Erin has built her professional career working with adolescents in both the Residential Treatment setting and in the public schools of Oregon, Utah and Arizona. She graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology, and in 2008 with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education

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Erin Ashdown, M.Ed.

Erin Ashdown, M.Ed.

Math Teacher

Nancy Ward, BS

Math Teacher

Nancy was born and raised in Southern California, she moved to Cedar to attend college at Southern Utah University and pursue a degree in Pure Mathematics. 

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Nancy Ward, BS

Nancy Ward, BS

Math Teacher

Diana Mitchell, BS

Spanish Teacher

Diana is a native of Southern California. She came to Cedar City on a track and cross country scholarship and was a star runner during her years at Southern Utah University. She was a five time NCAA all academic athlete. She graduated with a math education major and Spanish minor. She is fluent in Spanish and loves teaching her native language to her students. 

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Diana Mitchell, BS

Diana Mitchell, BS

Spanish Teacher

Emma Jo Adams

Admissions Counselor/Registrar

Emma Jo began her career at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy in 2020. She attended the culinary program at Southwest Tech and started out as a weekend cook at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. She transitioned into the mentor position, eventually becoming the morning team leader and held that position for over 2 years.

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Emma Jo Adams

Emma Jo Adams

Admissions Counselor/Registrar

 

MEDICAL

Samantha Tiul, RN

Nurse

Sam graduated from Southern Utah University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Psychology. She loves mental health as well as working with teenagers. Born and raised in a small town in Connecticut, Sam enjoys hiking through the scenic views southern Utah has to offer. She also loves spending time with her family, friends, dogs, and cats.

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Samantha Tiul, RN

Samantha Tiul, RN

Nurse

Dr. Ryan Williams, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Williams is board certified in both psychiatry and pediatrics and has also completed training in child psychiatry as well as child abuse and neglect. He completed his adult and adolescent psychiatric as well as pediatric training at Tufts University in Boston MA, where he worked for two years as the chief resident. There he learned from prominent members of the field of psychiatry. 

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Dr. Ryan Williams, MD

Dr. Ryan Williams, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Lisa Anderson, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Lise is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and is licensed in Utah and Arizona as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

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Lisa Anderson, PMHNP-BC

Lisa Anderson, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

 

Student Life

Taylor Krumm

Program Manager

Taylor joined the Mountain Springs Team in 2020. She started as a Mentor, then was our Bridge Manager for two years, and is now working as our Program Manager. Taylor discovered her passion in serving troubled youth when she worked at an agency for disabled youth. 

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Taylor Krumm

Taylor Krumm

Program Manager

Destry Griffiths

Staff Manager

Destry comes to Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy with over 20 years of prior experience in the law enforcement community. While a police officer, he taught D.A.R.E. for 14 years. He was involved in N.O.V.A. 

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Destry Griffiths

Destry Griffiths

Staff Manager

DeeDee Mitchell

Office Manager

Deidra, known as Deedee by most, moved to Cedar City with her family, from southern California in 1993, graduating from Cedar High School.  Deedee and her husband have raised 3 sons together.

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DeeDee Mitchell

DeeDee Mitchell

Office Manager

Jacob Almeida

Bridge Coach

Jake Almeida joined the Mountain Springs team in 2022 and started as a mentor. He then transitioned to the Team Coach position. During his year at MSPA, Jake has gained a passion for helping our students grow into the best version of themselves. 

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Jacob Almeida

Jacob Almeida

Bridge Coach

Karli Orton

Chef

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Karli Orton

Karli Orton

Chef