Faculty
Administration
Jordan Long
Administrator / Fine Arts Chair
Jordan Long
Brother Long holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Child and Human Development with emphasized study in History and Theatre Arts. While at BYU, Jordan toured with the Young Theatre Company and has performed, directed, and produced in theatre at the community, college, and semi-professional level his entire life. Jordan has been an administrator at Liahona since 2014 where his true passion is to help students realize the true potential of a Restoration Education. Jordan has been teaching Drama at Liahona since 2011 and believes that theatre is crucial in helping change people’s lives. He is a Liahona alumnus and served as Student Body President his senior year. Married to Aubrey Johnson, also a former Liahona student, they are the happy parents of three beautiful children. He loves his family, his students, and Liahona.
Jeanine Loukota
Administrator
Jeanine Loukota
Sister Jeanine Loukota graduated from Ricks College (now BYU-I) with an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Over her 20+ years in education, she has taught in the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th grades, as well as upper-level math classes.
She currently lives in Alpine. She has 4 children, Megan (Tim son-in-law), Brendon, Caden (Miranda daughter-in-law), Corbin. She also has 3 adorable grandchildren, Oliver, Phillip, and Evelyn.
Sister Loukota enjoys being the Assistant Administer over the Elementary and teaches the 3rd & 4th graders part-time. She feels blessed to be a part of the Liahona Preparatory Academy family and Restoration Education.
Breanne Dedrickson
Principal / Accreditation
Breanne Dedrickson
Breanne Dedrickson attended Utah State University, where she majored in English Teaching and minored in English as a Second Language (ESL). She graduated from USU with a Bachelor of Science Degree and then received a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. Breanne taught high school English for six years and was an assistant principal for two years before joining Liahona Preparatory Academy. Breanne loves to learn and recently earned a K-12 Reading Endorsement through Southern Utah University. In addition to education, Breanne loves chocolate, the outdoors, and most of all her handsome husband, Andrew, and their sweet children, Mazie and Duke.
Staff
John Orgill
IT Director, Elective Teacher, Fast Track Teacher
John Orgill
Merry Simmons
Front Office / Registrar
Merry Simmons
Sister Simmons graduated from Dixie College (now Dixie State University) and Murdock Travel School. She has worked as a travel agent for various agencies; most recently, for the LDS Church, arranging travel and visas for missionaries serving in Europe. Sister Simmons loves traveling, gardening, piano, crafts, cooking, and helping others.
Alicia Apgood
Front Office
Alicia Apgood
Sister Apgood graduated from American Fork High-School and went on to study at Utah State University. She loves the mountains and going camping, hiking, four-wheeling and boating. She loves history and traveling. In 2008 she knocked off one of her all time favorite bucket list destinations by traveling to France. She would love to visit Greece and Jerusalem some day. She is the oldest of six and does a lot with her family. She is the proud aunt of 3 nieces and a nephew who she loves to spoil.
Jeannie Bell
Finances
Jeannie Bell
Jeannie attended Weber State College and worked several years at Nest Entertainment (subsidiary of Living Scriptures) as the assistant finance controller and later at Young Electric Sign Company as the billing and payroll manager. Sister Bell has over 20 years experience in bookkeeping/finances.
Laura Jackson
Social Media Director / English Language Learners / Life Skills / Yearbook
Laura Jackson
Sister Jackson achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Teaching with an Editing minor from Brigham Young University. Additionally, Sister Jackson has an Associate of Arts degree from College of Southern Nevada. In addition to English, she enjoys using her editing skills to guide the Yearbook students in creating the school yearbook. Sister Jackson takes into account the real world application of the skills taught in her classes as she strives to pass along her enthusiasm and expertise to the students.
Teachers
Teachers at Liahona are some of the finest to be found in any educational system. Our teachers are passionate about including gospel truth along with their academic subjects. They are excited about learning and impart that attitude to their students. They believe that learning can be fun as well as educational, and at Liahona, it is!
Liahona conducts criminal background checks on all teachers and staff.
Karen Erickson
Elementary Teacher
Karen Erickson
Melody Hadfield
5/6 grade Academy Teacher
Melody Hadfield
It is Sister Hadfields 2nd year teaching at Liahona. She taught 3/4 last year and is excited for another year. She is supported by her amazing husband Brother Brian Hadfield who teaches Stage Crew at Liahona. A mother to 8 beautiful children and 2 have graduated from Liahona.
Chris Jones
History Teacher
Chris Jones
Christopher Jones (alias Mr. C) has for several years taught classes on history, civics, speech, and logic
both on- and off-line as part of the growing private/homeschool movement. He is currently on the
faculty of four schools across the Intermountain West, teaching everything from Shakespeare to
Defense Against the Dark Arts. One of his favorite gigs is Game Master in weeklong summer camps from
Virginia to Utah. Mr. C graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.A. in Classics (Roman History).
He was a campaign manager and public relations specialist for several congressional campaigns and
National Field Director for the Alan Keyes presidential campaign in 2000. A prolific writer, Mr. C has
published dozens of articles in several newspapers and magazines, as well as ten books (fiction and non-
), including the just-released short novel collection The Bones Stand Up.
Gina McGirr
Elective Teacher / Theatre Administrator
Gina McGirr
John Orgill
IT Director, Elective Teacher, Fast Track Teacher
John Orgill
Laura Jackson
Social Media Director / English Language Learners / Life Skills / Yearbook
Laura Jackson
Sister Jackson achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Teaching with an Editing minor from Brigham Young University. Additionally, Sister Jackson has an Associate of Arts degree from College of Southern Nevada. In addition to English, she enjoys using her editing skills to guide the Yearbook students in creating the school yearbook. Sister Jackson takes into account the real world application of the skills taught in her classes as she strives to pass along her enthusiasm and expertise to the students.
Rochelle Rudd
English Teacher
Rochelle Rudd
Rochelle Rudd attended Liahona Preparatory Academy for 2 years before graduating in 2009. In the year after graduating, she was a TA and substitute teacher at Liahona Academy and discovered her love for teaching. After attending Southern Utah University, Sis. Rudd graduated in 2014 with honors and earned a degree and licensure in Secondary English Education. She served a mission in the Philippines and finally returned to her home at Liahona, where she combines her passions for English and the gospel. Sis. Rudd worked as a Writing Center tutor during college and loves helping people learn how to write and present their ideas well. She speaks Tagalog and Spanish and enjoys making fun of English’s quirks.
Katie Merril
Math Teacher
Katie Merril
Although students have a difficult time understanding that I detested math as a young girl, they seem to appreciate that I am here to assist them in succeeding in learning mathematical concepts. For me, I enjoy seeing a boy or girl understand and have that feeling of accomplishment when an assignment or test is understood and finished. I feel that my Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Masters in Education are put to good use daily!