Teachers
Teachers
Tracy Davis
Special Education Specialist
Tracy Davis was born in Cedar City, Utah. She attended grade school in Las Vegas, Nevada, then her family moved to Beaver, Utah, where she completed high school. She attended Southern Utah University, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Science and a teaching certificate. Later, she went back to SUU and graduated with a Master’s in Education Leadership and Special Education. Tracy has been working in treatment facilities and teaching troubled teens for over 20 years. She believes every student is unique in their learning styles. She came to work at Liahona in 2023. In her spare time, she loves to read all kinds of books, crochet, sew quilts and Barbie clothes, gardening, camping, and most of all, hanging out with the grandkids.
Gail Faumui
Special Education Specialist
Gail grew up in Spokane WA. Graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelors of Science in 1990. She moved to St George in 1992. She decided to go back to school and received her teaching endorsement for Special Education from University of Utah in 2006. She is a highly qualified in teaching K-12. She worked as an Special Education Elementary teacher for most of her career. Then switched to High School Special Education. Gail absolutely loves teaching, and she enjoys the challenge of Special Education. Gail joined the Liahona team in 2025. She is married and has 4 grown children and 1 grandson. She enjoys traveling.
Christy McAffee
Social Studies Teacher
Christy McAffee, Ed.D. began her professional career as an English teacher working in Inchon, South Korea. When she returned to the U.S. she worked for 5 years at California State University, Northridge campus, where she taught History, English and American Culture. Later she became the Academic Director. She taught for 13 years at Argosy University California campuses. After obtaining a B.A. in History, at California State University, Fullerton, she received her Master’s and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, Orange County. She has taught History, English, Academic Writing, and related subjects since 1995. She relocated to St. George. She began teaching at Liahona in 2018.
Alex Braunberger
Social Studies Teacher
Alex Braunberger grew up in Sandy, UT. He graduated from Alta High School in 2004. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Brigham Young University in 2011. He received a Master of Arts in History from American Public University in 2020. He also received his teaching endorsement. He came to work at Liahona in 2026 after moving to Hurricane. He enjoys walking, reading military history, visiting history and art museums, and is currently writing a book about the world’s first empire builder.
Erin Shupe
Math Teacher
Erin Shupe is originally from Southern California. She attended University of California Davis, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Genetics, with a minor in Art History. She began substitute teaching and found her love for education. Erin went back to school to earn her Master’s in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. She was a high school math teacher for 8 years before stepping away to focus on her family and 3 children. After 9 years, Erin is excited to enter back into the education world and joined Liahona in 2023.
Maria Henry
Spanish Teacher
Maria Henry received an Elementary Teaching License in her home country of El Salvador before moving to the United States of America. Her passion for education is very strong. She decided to become a Secondary school teacher and pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at Dixie State University in 2014. She also attended Southern Utah University to earn a professional Educator License for Secondary Education in Spanish in 2016. She began working as a substitute teacher at Kelly Services immediately after she graduated. In 2017, she joined Liahona as a Spanish teacher. Her goal is to encourage students to attain a high level of second language proficiency. She also expects the students to learn, be more aware of and show more positive attitudes toward other cultures, and appreciation of other people. She is happily married and has three sons. In her free time, she does aerobics and enjoys cooking for her family.
Kathy Tanner
Math Teacher
Kathy Tanner received a B.A. degree in Accounting from California State University at Fullerton, but always wondered how far she could go if she attempted a Math degree. After raising four children she decided to attempt that math challenge. Four years later she received a B.S. degree in Math Education from the University of Utah. She has taught math to troubled teens for many years, and is happy she can continue to do so at Liahona. She has worked at Liahona since 2020. Kathy hopes to help her students see their potential and gain confidence in their ability to do math and understand how skills learned in math will help in all aspects of their lives.
Tutors
Linda Crosby
English Tutor
Linda Crosby graduated in 1984 from Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Early Education. She later took Post Graduate courses from Morehead State University KY, College of Southern ID, Boise State University, and Northwest Nazarene College from 1985-1992. She began teaching at Liahona in 2007.
Thearon Crosby
Social Studies & Electives Tutor
Thearon Crosby received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Utah University in Political Science, with minors in Military Science and Business Administration. He served 29 years in the military, returning to Southern Utah to teach military leadership and physical fitness at the Southern Utah University Army ROTC program. He joined Liahona in 2017, after retiring from the military.
Tim Lohrey
English Tutor
Timothy Lohrey was born in Clark County, Nevada, but moved to Southern Utah when he was 15. He graduated from Utah Tech University in 2022 with a B.S in Applied Sociology with a Psychology minor. During his time at Utah Tech he worked as a Tutor at the Writing Center, and shortly after graduating college he started working at Liahona Academy. Timothy finds sincere meaning in helping students develop their academic abilities. His gratitude in working for Liahona Academy comes from a desire to give back to the communities around him. In his spare time he likes to make music, hang out with friends, and spend time learning and researching about topics that interest him.
Alec Benbeneck
English Tutor
Alec Benbenek is a graduate of California State University, Channel Islands, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. Born and raised in Southern California, he relocated to Southern Utah at the beginning of 2025, embracing a new landscape and community while carrying forward the values shaped by his upbringing. His professional experience spans sales and marketing, complemented by a deeply personal role as a caretaker for his father, who has AL amyloidosis—an experience that strengthened his empathy, resilience, and sense of responsibility. In his free time, Alec enjoys lifting weights, mountain biking, volunteering at animal shelters, and writing fictional stories, pursuits that reflect both his active lifestyle and creative spirit. He is committed to the belief that everyone deserves access to quality education regardless of their background, and he continually strives to turn that belief into meaningful action.
Kimberly Fair
Science Tutor
Kimberly was born in Louisiana and grew up in various locations as part of an Air Force family. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Utah. After graduating, she spent time on the East Coast before relocating to Hurricane to be closer to family. She is married and has one son. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and baking.
Nichole Sair
Math Tutor
Nichole was raised in Northern California and graduated from Cal State Hayward with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. She and her husband moved to Southern Utah in 1997 and have raised 7 amazing children. She has been teaching/mentoring youth from ages 8-17 for over 17 years and has loved the journey. Her passions include spending time with her family, outdoor sports/activities (currently ultimate frisbee), creating educational projects, gardening, and anything else that catches her fancy. She is thrilled to be working at Liahona Academy (since 2024) and grateful for the opportunity to share her love of learning with these strong and valiant young men.
Claine Tanner
Social Studies, Electives Tutor
Claine Tanner received an Associate of Arts Degree from Weber State in 1973. Throughout college Claine was a teacher and director of Ebronix Learning Systems where he worked for around 3-4 years. He then decided to switch careers into the finance business in which he stayed for over 35 years. He ended up retiring from Cache Valley Bank as a Senior Credit Officer in 2010, and has established his own Horse Training business on the side. He came to work at Liahona in 2015.
Claine Tanner
Social Studies, Electives Tutor
Claine Tanner received an Associate of Arts Degree from Weber State in 1973. Throughout college Claine was a teacher and director of Ebronix Learning Systems where he worked for around 3-4 years. He then decided to switch careers into the finance business in which he stayed for over 35 years. He ended up retiring from Cache Valley Bank as a Senior Credit Officer in 2010, and has established his own Horse Training business on the side. He came to work at Liahona in 2015.
Emily Libertor
Math Tutor
Emily Libertor was born and raised in Hurricane UT. She graduated from Hurricane High School in 2020. She received her Associates degree in the Arts from Utah Tech University in 2024, and is currently working to earn her Bachelor’s degree in English. Emily came to work at Liahona in 2023. She enjoys baking, traveling, learning Japanese, and hanging out with her cat.
Saige Anderson
Math Tutor
Saige Anderson was born and raised in Hurricane UT. She graduated from Hurricane High School with high honors in 2020. She is currently attending Utah Tech University and received her Associates degree in general studies in 2024, and is currently working to earn her Bachelor’s degree. Saige started at Liahona at the end of 2023. She enjoys singing, volleyball, swimming, learning ASL, and hanging out with her friends.
Aspen Wood
Science Tutor
Aspen Wood is a Southern Utah native. She graduated from Beaver High School in 2021 and later earned her associate’s degree in General Sciences from Utah Tech University. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She has several years of experience working in academic and educational environments, including teaching with the U.S. Navy’s Child and Youth Programs (CYP) and leading youth workshops through Utah State University. She is passionate about science, art, and the outdoors. Aspen joined Liahona in 2026
Inger Durkin
Science Tutor
Inger Durkin moved to the Hurricane Valley 20 years ago from San Diego. Raising a family with her husband has been the focus of her life. She studied communications at BYU and at Cuesta College in California. She finds great fulfillment in the learning process. She has served in the community in many capacities including PTVO president at Three Falls Elementary, and as a mentor in the 12 Step Program in the Hurricane area. Working alongside the students at Liahona has been a meaningful chapter as she watches the students do the work that helps them advance in their personal growth.
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