Teachers

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Tracy Davis

Tracy 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 Bachelors in Science and a teaching certificate. Later, she went back to SUU and graduated with a Master in Education Leadership and Special Education. Tracy has been working in treatment facilities and teaching troubled teens for over 20 years. Her progressive teaching ideas have increased her students’ performance so they have been able to complete their high school education. She believes every student is unique in their learning styles. Tracy has the knowledge and energy to assist her students in the mode they learn best. As an educational leader, Tracy has helped develop a curriculum and policy that complies with state and local policies. Among her responsibilities in this regard has been for licensing treatment centers in accordance with state bylaws and school accreditation. Most recently she is studying the epigenetics of trauma and genetic traits that affect the unborn child to adulthood and how it affects their academic performance. In her spare time, she loves to read all kinds of books, crochet, sew quilts and barbie clothes, garden, camping, and most of all hanging out with the grandkids.

Joseph Gubler

Joe Gubler graduated from Southern Utah University with a major in “Level 4 Math” and a Minor in Chemistry. He recently retired from Washington County School District located in Southern Utah where he taught at Snow Canyon High School for the past 21 years. Joe has a teaching certificate and has taught math for 25 years to teenagers at the high school level. Joe is excited about tutoring the young men at Liahona Treatment Center. In his spare time, Joe enjoys fishing, watching sports on television and most importantly gardening.

Phillip Moore

Phillip Moore has been an educator for more than 35 years. He taught locally in the Washington County School District for 25 years. Some of the subjects he has taught are earth science, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and algebra. In addition to his current teaching position at Liahona Academy, he is a instructor for Utah Tech University. One of his passions is music; he has been playing in a variety of bands for the last 50 years. It’s not unusual to see him making music across the intermountain west at various events. We are fortunate to have Phil as one of our science teachers at Liahona Academy.

Maria Henry

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 July of 2017, she joined Liahona Treatment Center 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 towards 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.

Chris Piazza

Chris is from Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1999 with a BA in Education (Language Arts). He proudly served in the United States Army National Guard from 1992-1998, where he achieved the rank of E-5 SGT. He has been a resident of Utah for 4 years. In his free time he enjoys sports, reading, and music.

Kathy Tanner

Kathy 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 11 years and is happy she can continue to do so at Liahona. 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.

Christy McAffee

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 took a position working at an International school located at the California State University, Northridge campus where she remained for the next five years teaching history, English and American Culture while also becoming its Academic Director. She has taught academic writing at Argosy University California campuses as an adjunct faculty member for over 13 years. 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 Utah in 2016 to be near her family.

Linda Crosby

Linda Crosby graduated in 1984 from Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID with a BA in 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. Linda has been teaching for about 26 years.

Claine Tanner

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.

Thearon Crosby

Mr. Crosby received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Utah University where he studied History, Business Administration, and English while completing his degree in Political Science. He served 29 years in the military, returning to Southern Utah to teach military leadership and physical fitness at the SUU Army ROTC program. He joined Liahona after retiring from the military.

Andrew Garcia

Andrew Garcia was born in California, but has lived most of his life in St. George, Utah. He graduated from Hurricane High School and then attended Dixie State University. Where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with an emphasis in natural sciences. He has been employed as a teacher/staff by Liahona Academy since June 2021 where he has taught biology, human anatomy, earth science, and math. Andrew enjoys hiking, climbing, photography, and anything else outside.

Moshood Osinusi

Moshood Osinusi was born in Nigeria. He completed his high school there before moving. He moved to the United States in 2016. He graduated with biological sciences and a minor in chemistry from Utah Tech. He really enjoys helping and is really excited about teaching the kids here at the facility. He always wants to bring out the full potential in every kid. He loves hiking, soccer and reading in his free time.

Michaela Sili

Michalea was born and raised in Liverpool, England. She attended Canterbury Christ Church University and earned an Associate Degree in English. She is working towards getting her Bachelor's Degree in Creative and Professional Writing at Southern Utah University. She spent her early adult years traveling around the world. She taught English as a second language in Guatemala, Zambia, and Germany. Michaela came to Utah in 2021, where she met and married her husband. In her spare time she likes to read, crochet, bake and explore new areas.

Zoie Brooks

Zoie Brooks graduated Summa Cum Laude in June 2020 from Brigham Young University-Hawaii with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and minors in Cultural Anthropology and New Media Journalism. She has a passion for learning about the natural world and helping students discover how fascinating it is. She enjoys encouraging curiosity and investigation into how things work and why. She teaches Biology, Human Anatomy, and Middle School sciences at Liahona Academy. In her free time, Zoie enjoys adventuring outdoors, hunting, photography, reading, and spending time with family.

Truman Burgess

Truman Burgess is a journalist and educator from Washington and Virginia. He studied world literature and criticism at BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Idaho, graduating with a bachelor's degree in English. Before starting at Liahona in 2022, Truman was a daily reporter for "St. George News," covering stories ranging from governor interviews to leech infestations. Truman was an international English tutor in Hawaii and student-taught grammar to undergraduate classes in Idaho. Outside of work, he enjoys Latin dancing with his wife and climbing trees with his five kids.

McKay Starr

McKay is from Salt Lake City and works as a tutor for math and special education students. He will soon be graduating from Utah Tech University with his bachelor’s in history. He is the oldest of 10 children, including four adopted siblings and enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, playing basketball, reading, hiking, eating, sleeping, and watching sports.

Rebecca McNeil

Rebecca McNeil was born in New Hampshire but raised in Vermont and Ohio. She met her husband Chris in California where they lived and raised their family for 32 years. After her husband’s retirement, Rebecca and her family moved to Utah. She is the mother of 3 and nana to 6 grandchildren. Family is Rebecca’s first love, followed by English and Art. When given the opportunity to teach English at Liahona Academy, Rebecca was honored to accept. A favorite quote from John F. Kennedy, which encapsulates the definition of a good education is: “The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.” Rebecca believes students at Liahona Academy have a thirst for knowledge, and she is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of treatment program’s teaching and learning process.

Adriana Gallegos

Adriana was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. She was raised in the city of Oxnard, California where she graduated high school. Soon after she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she worked in the beverage industry for over 15 years. She has always enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and scenery of southern Utah so in early 2022 she decided to call it her home. When she’s not at school she loves to spend time with her daughter exploring different parks and trails. Her favorite pastimes are cooking, painting and reading. She joined the Liahona Academy in November of 2022.