Our Teachers

Stephanie Parish

Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Stephanie Parish and I LOVE kindergarten! This year will be my 20th year teaching kindergarten! I think kindergarten is magical! 
I grew up in South Ogden and moved to Cache Valley in 2008. I live in Mendon and can't think of a better place to raise kids! I have four children ranging in ages from 14-25 years old. I was lucky to be a stay at home mom for 8 years when they were little. As a family we enjoy exploring National Parks, visiting the Oregon Coast and we especially love Disney vacations. I have a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I'm excited for another fun year!

Kindergarten Class Supply List

My Favorites:

Color: Red
Drink: Dr. Pepper
Treat/Snack: Twix & Almond Joy
Food/Restaurant: Chicken & Seafood
Books: I love all children's picture books
Season: Spring

Teresa Myers

First Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Teresa Myers. I grew up in Mendon and graduated from Mountain Crest and Utah State. I have three children and four grand children. We lived in Colorado for 24 years and I love exploring the outdoors, hiking, biking, and spending time with my family. It's a dream come true to teach school in my beloved hometown of Mendon. I cherish the opportunity to teach young minds to be life long learners.

My Favorites:

Color: Green
Flower: Poppies
Drink: Diet Coke
Treat/Snack: Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears
Food/Restaurant: Mexican
Season: Fall

Larissa Swasey

First Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Larissa Swasey and I live in Mendon and this is my 11th year teaching first grade at Mountainside. My husband and I raised our 2 sons and 2 daughters here in Mendon. We've since added 2 daughter-in-laws and 1 son-in-law, as well as 3 grandsons to our family. (It's a THRILL to finally be a grandma)! My #1 happy place is spending time with my grown children and my grandchildren. I also love hiking, gardening, flowers, traveling, reading, time outdoors, and crocheting. I LOVE teaching 1st grade, and my #2 happy place is teaching little people! I'm so grateful to teach right here in my own little town of Mendon.

My Favorites:

Color: Purple
Flower: All of them!
Drink: Olipop/Poppi
Food/Restaurant: Mexican Food
Treats/Snacks: Riesens/mixed nuts
Season: Fall, Spring, and Summer!

Melissa Anderson

Second Grade Teacher

Hi! I’m Mrs. M Anderson (there’s a few Andersons here). I was born in Canada and lived in North Carolina before moving to Utah to go to Utah State University. I got married 4 years ago to Luke and we have 2 girls and a boy on the way! I’m a big volleyball player and love pickleball too. My family loves to go camping, play games, and you’ll see me at parks. I taught art, 4th, and 3rd grade at River Heights Elementary for 7 years before getting to move out to Mendon and teach at mountainside where I’ve taught 2nd and 3rd grade. I love finding the fun in learning with my students! 

2nd Grade Class Supply List

My Favorites:

Color: Green
Drink: Dr. Pepper
Treat/Snack: Crumble Cookies
Food/Restaurant: Super Chix and Chick Fil-A
Hobbies: Sports, Sipping Soda at the Parks, and Baking
Books: Harry Potter
Season: Summer and Fall

Eva Milligan

Second Grade Teacher

Hello! I am Eva Milligan. I've enjoyed teaching 2nd grade at Mountainside Elementary, where I love helping young learners discover their curiosity and confidence. I grew up in beautiful Cache Valley and graduated from Mountain Crest High School. I'm a parent to two wonderful humans and a few lovable pets who keep life busy and fun. I enjoy playing all types of games-from video games to card and board games-which inspires creativity and teamwork in my classroom. Outside of school, you'll often find me reading traveling, or working on creative projects. I'm grateful to be part of this vibrant school community and look forward to every new adventure with my students!

2nd Grade Class Supply List

My Favorites:

Color: Turquoise (as well as blues and greens)
Flower: I love house plants
Drink: Water mix-ins, Mtn. Dew, Dr. Pepper
Treat/Snack: Sour stuff, Jerky, Ice cream, candy bars
Food/Restaurant: Thai, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Pizza, Sushi
Books: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

Megan Lambert

Third Grade Teacher

I was born and raised in Cache Valley. I went to Logan High and Utah Start University. I love being active - boating, running, skiing, hiking - and when I'm home, you'll often find me baking, gardening, or working on a project around the house. My favorite things are Diet Dr. Pepper, ice cream, and being with my nieces and nephews. One quote I try to live by is: "Life is a marathon, not a sprint."

3rd Grade Class Supply List

My Favorites:

Color: Blue
Flower: Daisy
Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper
Hobbies: Reading, Photography, Sewing
Season: Summer
Animal: Moose

Kim Turnbow

Third Grade Teacher

In the beginning of my teaching career I taught Kindergarten, Special Education Preschool and Second Grade. Then I was fortunate to stay home with my four daughters for 10 years. This will be my 13th year teaching 3rd Grade at Mountainside Elementary and I LOVE it. Third Graders are the absolute BEST!

I was raised in Salem, Utah but Cache Valley is definitely my HOME. I met my husband Matt while attending USU and we were lucky enough to be able to stay in the valley. I love spending time with my family and our vacations and outings are usually planned around sports and FOOD. 

I feel very blessed to live in Wellsville where I can have my chickens, goats, cats, and dog. I enjoy taking my dog, Poppy, for walks, reading, thrifting, and decorating my house with old treasures. 

I love teaching at Mountainside where the teachers and staff have become my family. I enjoy my summer but always look forward to having a great new year with awesome students and parents.

3rd Grade Class Supply List

My Favorites:

Flower: Daisy
Drink: Dr. Pepper
Food/Restaurant: Angies
Hobbies: Thrifting
Books: Harry Potter Series
Season: Summer

Becky Shelton

Fourth Grade Teacher

In my "free" time I like to do any outdoor activity. I like to hike, go fishing, walk, or work in my garden. I grew up in Providence, Utah. I went to Providence Elementary and graduated from Mountain Crest High School. I have 4 of the best kids in the WORLD!

My Favorites:

Color: Blue
Flower: Gerber Daisy
Drink: Dr. Pepper/Lemonade
Treat/Snack: anything without coconut
Food/Restaurant: anything
Season: Summer 

Penny Thigpen

Fifth Grade Teacher

My name is Penny Thigpen and I am so excited to return to Mountainside Elementary. I have taught for 22 years including the first 13 years that mountainside was open. I have been away and feel like I am returning home now. I feel very blessed to be part of the mountainside family and to be teaching fifth grade in this beautiful community again. 

I have been married to my amazing husband Kelly for 43 years. We have five sons and 13 grandchildren! 

I am a teacher, wife, grandma, mom, daughter, sister, neighbor and friend. I love being all of these and try to fulfill each roll with my best efforts! I also love singing, reading, working in my yard, traveling in our RV and experiencing amazing places and having way cool experiences (like skydiving)to keep life exciting!

I truly appreciate being able to continue to learn, create and have new adventures with my family and all my friends at school. 

I am looking forward to the best school year ever at Mountainside!

My Favorites:

Color: Pink
Books: Historical Fiction and Fiction. “Goose Girl”, “The War That Saved My Life”.
Drink: Diet Coke, Crystal Light Pink Lemonade.
Snack/Food: Chocolate, Peaches, Steak
Hobbies: Family, Reading, Singing, Planning for School & Shopping
Animal: Dogs, Chickens & Frogs

Karina Wooden

Fifth Grade Teacher

Hello Mountainside friends, my name is Karina Wooden and I teach fifth grade. I love Mountainside Elementary and I am so so excited to teach at such a great school. I have worked at the school since it opened. I was the music specialist for many years.

I was born and raised in Sweden and still spend my summers there. I have three adult children who I love very much; a daughter and two sons. I am very excited about a grandson who will soon join the family and make me a first time grandma. I have two adorable dogs and a cute cat.

I love traveling; the ocean and Disneyland as well Walt Disney World are some of my happy places. I also love reading a good book, going to the movies and spending time with my family. I love teaching!

My Favorites:

Color: Turquoise/ red
Flower: all flowers
Animal: Cats, dogs and dolphins
Drink: Coke Zero
Treat: Chocolate, ice cream and Crumbl cookies 
Book: Harry Potter
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, Disneyland/ Disney World

Jackie Butler

Resource Teacher

I was born in Layton, UT but have lived in Logan since high school graduation. So I think of Logan as my home now. I graduated from Utah State with a dual degree in special education and elementary education. I was so lucky to get a job at the best school in the valley right out of college and going into my 8th year at Mountainside teaching K-5th grade Resource. I am married and have 2 beautiful girls. We love to spend time together and you will often find us camping as much as possible in the summer.

My Favorites:

Color: Blue
Flower: Daisies
Drink: Coke
Treat/Snack: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Hobbies: Camping
Season: Fall

Megan Robertson

Essential Elements Teacher

Hello! My name is Megan Robertson (aka Miss Megan). I grew up in West Jordan and moved to Logan to attend Utah State University. I graduated from USU in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education with a emphasis in Severe Disabilities. I returned to USU and completed my Masters of Science degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis in 2021. My daughter was born in 2022 and is our whole world! I'm a homebody and like to spend my free time relaxing as much as possible. I love teaching special education and watching my students make progress in all areas of their lives.

My Favorites:

Color: Purple
Drink: Pepsi
Treat: Anything chocolate and peanut butter
Food: Steak
Season: Summer
Animal: Elephant

Emily Anne Day

Music Teacher

Hi Mountainside! My name is EmilyAnne Day and I love teaching music! I am from Cache Valley and I love it so much I've stuck around. I got my degree in Elementary Education from Utah State and have been learning about and making music since I was little. I play a variety of instruments including flute, piano, and ukulele! If I'm not making music. You might find me baking treats or breads, watching a good show, reading or trying a new craft. Music is for everyone and I am so excited to see all the creativity each student brings to my classroom!

My Favorites:

Color: Pastel Blues, Pinks, & Greens
Flower: Peonies
Treat/Snack: Popcorn, Chocolate
Food/Restaurant: Chick-fil-a
Hobbies: Baking, Reading, Making Music, Crafting
Books: Harry Potter, Dragon Slippers

Gina Hadfield

Computers Teacher

I grew up in Southern California and graduated from USU. My senior year of Hight School I was presenting a project and writing on the board. Mrs. LeShay exclaimed, "You can write and talk at the same time?! You should be a teacher!" I thought, "oh, no, no, no."

My Favorites:

Color: Blue
Treat/Snack: Pretzels
Food/Restaurant: Anything Italian
Hobbies: Gardening & Baking
Books: Paper Bug Princess
Season: Fall

Karen LeFevre

Library Specialist

This past year, as the librarian, has been so much fun. I've named our library "Matilda", and we have enjoyed the creative energy, the imaginations, and joy the students have brought to the biggest classroom in the school. I was born in California, grew up in Washington State. My husband and I have 4 children and 1 grandchild. We have lived in Cache Valley for about 28 years. I have a Bachelors in interior Design, and I'm a certified Pharmacy Technician, and yet, I have found being at Mountainside my true calling. My goal is that the library is a safe, happy place where students feel welcome and positive about who they are, plus the possibilities that are discovered from a book. Everyone is welcome to stop by, say hi to "Matilda" and together we can discover your new favorite story.

My Favorites:

Color: Purple
Flower: Zinnias, Peonies
Drink: Coke Zero
Treat/Snack: Anything with Coconut in it.
Hobbies: Golf, side by side riding, Walking, Photography
Books: Charlotte's Web
Season: Summer
Animal: No current pets. Love Monkeys.