Meet Our Staff

Trisha Duersch

Position at North Park: Principal

Favorite Subject in School: Math 

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? USU

Past Teaching Assignments: 5th Grade, 1st Grade, Literacy Facilitator, Instructional Coach, School Support Leader

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I LOVE working with kids. It is so rewarding to see them learn and grow. I know they have taught me so much over the years! 

Favorite Food: Anything with noodles:)

Favorite Candy Bar: Milky Way

Favorite Color: Turquoise

Favorite Book: You Are Special by Max Lucado

Where did you grow up? On Hollow Road in Nibley!

Family: I am the youngest of five kids, and I have all brothers! I am married to Eric Duersch, and we have two beautiful children, Makenna and Cooper:)

Hobbies/Interests: I love to go for walks with my friends and family. I enjoy crocheting baby blankets with the really soft yarn. I like to decorate my house for the seasons and enjoy trying new things.

Teresa Kendrick

Position at North Park:   School Support Leader

Favorite Subject in School: Reading

Where did you go to college to become a teacher?  USU

Past Teaching Assignments:  First Grade Teacher

Why did you decide to become a teacher?  Offered a full ride scholarship in the field

Favorite Food:  Ice cream if that counts as a food, if not, watermelon

Favorite Candy Bar:  Almond Joy

Favorite Color:  red

Favorite Book:  The Nightingale

Where did you grow up?  Smithfield

Family:  One husband, one daughter, one dog.

Hobbies/Interests:  hiking and skiing

Vardee Cole

Position at North Park: Secretary 

Favorite Subject in School:  Math & Reading

Why did you decide to work at the school?  Love working with kids and teachers and parents

Favorite Food:  All kinds except sea food

Favorite Candy Bar:  Anything Chocolate usually. Licorice too. Maybe most sweets?

Favorite Color:  Green and Purple

Favorite Book:  Usually what ever I am reading at the time

Where did you grow up? Hawaii

Family:  I have 5 daughters and 15 grand kids.

Hobbies/Interests? 

Jessica Hatch

Position at North Park: Health Aide

Dani Gilsdorf

Position at North Park: School Counselor

Favorite Subject in School: Math/ Science/ Art/ PE 

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? Undergraduate- Colorado State University for 2 years and then I graduated from Utah State University! Go AGGIES!!!! I got my masters in School Counseling at the University of Phoenix. 

Past Teaching Assignments:  worked in Weber School District for the past 5 years as Special Education Student Support Staff. I helped students with challenging behaviors navigate their school days to the best of their abilities. I was an advocate for students, parents, teachers, and school staff.  This is my 5th year at North Park and I have loved every minute of it. 

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I decided to become a school counselor because I love helping others and working with kids. I am here to be a support and advocate to all. 

Favorite Food: Mexican Food, Chips and dips

Favorite Candy Bar: Extra Dark Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Sea Salt

Favorite Color: Maroon, Yellow, Bright Corals

Favorite Book:  I don't have a favorite book but I enjoy reading murder mysteries and fantasy. 

Where did you grow up? Brighton, CO

Family: I am married and have 4 kids.  

Hobbies/Interests:  Former college pitcher who never lost the love for the game! Nowadays, my time is spent playing slow pitch, working out, watching my kids games, and enjoying the outdoors. I'm a big fan of gardening, fall weather, Bear Lake trips, crafting, and spending every extra minute with my family and dogs.

Natalie Darley

Position at North Park: First Grade Teacher

Favorite Subject in School: I love teaching reading.

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? USU

Past Teaching Assignments: 3rd at McKinley Elementary in Tremonton, 1st at Nibley Elementary , 2nd at Providence Elementary 

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I had an amazing 3rd grade teacher and I wanted to help kids like she did.

Favorite Food: Southwestern egg rolls from Chili’s 

Favorite Candy Bar: Snickers

Favorite Color: no favorite

Favorite Book: Whatever I’m currently reading

Where did you grow up? American Fork in Utah County

Family: My husband and I have 4 sons. The youngest is a junior at Green Canyon

Hobbies/Interests: I love playing games with my family, reading, and camping. 

Shelby Olson

Position at North Park: First grade teacher

Favorite Subject in School:  Reading 

Where did you go to college to become a teacher?  Utah State 

Past Teaching Assignments: Sped teacher at MLMS, preschool teacher

Why did you decide to become a teacher?  My first grade teacher was amazing. I knew she cared about me and ever since then, I wanted to be just like her! 

Favorite Food:  Mexican 

Favorite Candy Bar:  Almond Joy or Caramello

Favorite Color:  All colors 

Favorite Book: The rent collector

Where did you grow up?  I grew up in Logan Utah

Family:  I have a husband, Reed who is a 5th grade teacher, Jonah who is a 7th grade teacher and his wife Missy, Isaac who does private equity in Lehi, Luke who works at Patrick in Bountiful and his wife Rain, and my daughter Avi who works at Sally’s Beauty Supply and Great Clips  in Bountiful. 

Hobbies/Interests: I love to watch Aggie football and basketball games, read, and play games with my family.

Camille Taylor

Favorite Subject in School: English

Where did you go to college to become a teacher:  I got my undergrad from Utah State University and am currently pursuing a Master's of Education in School Counseling from USU as well! Go Aggies!

Past Teaching Assignments:  I am in my second year teaching at North Park, and I also work as a counselor at Juniper Ridge Middle School.

Why did you decide to become a teacher:  I decided to be a teacher and study School Counseling because I love education and more importantly I am passionate about helping students achieve their fullest potential. I want to support them all and help them accomplish their dreams!

Favorite Food: Thai food

Favorite Candy Bar: Trader Joe's dark chocolate PB cups, Swedish candy, Reese's Take 5

Favorite Color: Pink, royal/cobalt blue, emerald green, bright red

Favorite Book:  Anything historical fiction or regency romance!

Where did you grow up: Hooper, UT

Family: I am the oldest of 5 siblings and live with 5 roommates who I love so much!

Hobbies/Interests:  I love boating with my family in the summer and all watersports behind the boat, singing/playing the piano, being outdoors, hiking, and running.

Erin Mikkelsen

Position at North Park: Physical Education teacher

Favorite Subject in School: PE!! History is a close second along with chemistry. 

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? Utah State University, BA History and BS Physical Education (Secondary Education Endorsement) Go Aggies!!

Past Teaching Assignments: Over 20yrs of coaching experience primarily Cheer, tumbling, gymnastics, and track & field. Coached track and field at GCHS, and currently a ski instructor at Cherry Peak Resort. 

Why did you decide to become a teacher? Teaching is fun! Watching a student learn a new skill and find a love for sports and fitness is incredibly rewarding. 

Favorite Food: Lobster, seafood, fresh fruits and veggies

Favorite Candy Bar: Utah mint truffles

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Book: Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl

Where did you grow up? Arvada Colorado

Family: My husband is Corey, he works for Utah State as the Executive VP of Recruitment & Enrollment. We have 4 sons; Bryce serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and will attend USU, Cache & Colt (Twins) sophomores GCHS, CJ 6th grade Juniper Ridge MS. Maizey is my dog, a German Shorthair pointer. 

Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, I love to ski and get out about 70 plus times a season. Camping, hiking, and mountain biking. I love the outdoors and just being outside. Going to the Aggie football and basketball games with my family. 

Hannah Israelsen

Position at North Park: BTSALP Art Teacher

Favorite Subject in School: Art, reading, writing, and social studies 

Where did you go to college to become a teacher: USU (Go Aggies!)  

Past Teaching Assignments: From 2014-2016 I was the Art Specialist at Greenville Elementary. It is so fun that now I currently teach the younger siblings of some of my former students from Greenville!

Why did you decide to become a teacher: I always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. There are many teachers in my family—my mom, my grandpa, both of my grandmas—and I was inspired by them and also the incredible teachers I had in elementary school. They made school so much fun and I loved learning! My 5th grade teacher, Sandy Wallentine, made a big impact on me too. While I was in her class, my dad lost his job and was out of work for several months, so that brought a lot of worry and uncertainty into my life, and I was also navigating the changing dynamics of friendships that sometimes make that age tricky. Mrs. Wallentine was so kind to me and always made me feel so special and smart and loved. I absolutely loved school and learned so much from her, and the hard things in that year were overshadowed by so many good and joyful things that she brought into my days at school. Even though Mrs. Wallentine was diagnosed with cancer later in that school year, it didn’t stop her from being exactly the kind of teacher we needed as her students because of the way she cared about us individually whenever she was able to be with us, and we adored her for it. After she passed away, I felt even more committed to becoming a teacher because I wanted to be like Mrs. Wallentine when I grew up, I wanted to help students the way she helped me.

Favorite Food: Costa Vida sweet pork salad

Favorite Candy Bar: Reese’s Pieces

Favorite Color: I’m an artist so I can’t pick a favorite color! I love them all!!

Favorite Book: I have soooo many favorite books but if I really had to choose just one it would be The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Where did you grow up: I grew up in Logan and North Logan! I went to Woodruff for K-2 grades and then my family moved to North Logan. I went to Greenville for 3-5 grades back when it was split K-2 at North Park and 3-5 at Greenville. So I wasn’t a North Park Knight as a kid but all my younger siblings were. 

Family: I have a husband and one little girl and I love them so much! We love to play games together, bike around the neighborhood, and go camping and hiking together. Both of them are such a big help and support to me with teaching art, they have spent many hours helping me organize my classroom or get supplies prepared for upcoming art projects.

Hobbies/Interests: Most of the time I am pretty busy juggling teaching and being a mom, I don’t have a whole lot of “spare time” but these are the things I love to do in my spare time when I can, or that I run myself ragged to fit them into my schedule somehow because I love them so much (Pumpkin Walk, I’m looking at you! Haha) Making Pumpkin Walk scenes, reading books, sewing, crafting, and DIY projects, gardening, hiking, camping, and huckleberry picking in the mountains, photography, home improvement projects 

Katie Simmonds

Position at North Park: Music Specialist

Favorite Subject in School: Reading and Writing

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? Western Wyoming Community College, Utah State University, Western Governors University

Past Teaching Assignments: Special Education Paraprofessional

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I get to share my love of music with my students every single day and help them grow their appreciation for music.

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Candy Bar: Dove Dark Chocolate

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Book: Harry Potter

Where did you grow up? Wyoming

Family: My husband and I have 3 kids

Hobbies/Interests: Cake decorating, baking, cooking, making music

Stacey Wright

Position at North Park: Librarian

Favorite Subject in School:  Reading!

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? Utah State University

Why did you decide to become a librarian?  I worked at a library all through college and should have recognized how much I loved it and changed my major.  When my kids were all in school I wanted to go back to work doing something I love and I knew I should be a librarian this time.  So, here I am!

Favorite Food: Ice cream

Favorite Candy Bar: Dark Chocolate

Favorite Color:  Yellow

Favorite Book:  The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

Where did you grow up? Plain City

Family:  4 kids and a husband and a cat

Hobbies/Interests:  Walking, working in my yard, playing tennis, reading books

Taylor Hepworth

Position at North Park: Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Favorite Subject in School: Science

Where did you go to college to become a teacher? University of Utah, Utah State University

Past Teaching Assignments: Just North Park!

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I love helping kids learn to communicate effectively and watch them progress as they gain confidence in their skills!

Favorite Food: Thai curry

Favorite Candy Bar: Snickers

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Where did you grow up? Brigham City, UT

Family:  I have a mom, dad, 2 sisters and brothers-in-law, and 8 nieces and nephews

Hobbies/Interests: I love hiking, running, playing guitar, going to concerts, and watching Survivor

Nancy Poulsen

Position at North Park: ESL Teacher

Favorite Subject in School: Language Arts

Where did you go to college to become a teacher?  Utah State University (Go Aggies!)

Past Teaching Assignments: 6 years teaching 4th grade at North Park, 3 years as a Literacy Facilitator in Cache District, and 1 year teaching 1st grade at River Heights Elementary.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? Working with kids brings me joy!

Favorite Food: Mexican

Favorite Candy Bar: Hershey's Cookies and Cream

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Book: Poppy

Where did you grow up? Alaska, Idaho and Utah

Family: My husband, Kirt, and I have 4 adult children (Evan, Emily, Kristen and Alan) and 5 super cute grandkids.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, music, learning, walking, and having fun with family and friends

Jensen Kleven

Position at North Park: Essential Elements Teacher

Favorite Subject in School: Math

Where did you go to college to become a teacher: Utah State University (Go Aggies!)

Past Teaching Assignments: 3rd year at North Park

Why did you decide to become a teacher: I fell in love with working with individuals with disabilities at a young age. Getting to experience them working hard to understand or learn a new skill is my favorite thing. Making a difference, being their advocate, helping them see what they are capable of, are all parts of why I am so passionate about education.

Favorite Food: Mexican food

Favorite Candy Bar: Sour Patch Kids (I know it’s not a bar)

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance

Where did you grow up: Cache Valley

Family: I am married to my best friend Austin, and we have the sweetest baby girl ever. We also have the bestest, naughtiest dog. I am the middle child of 3 and all of my family is in Cache Valley. I am very blessed to be close to all of them.

Hobbies/Interest: Exercise, boating, traveling, CONCERTS!

Nikie Elwood

Position at North Park: SEM teacher

Loni Bender

Position at North Park:  Resource Teacher

Favorite Subject in School: History

Where did you go to college to become a teacher:  Western Governors University

Past Teaching Assignments: Resource ELA at Spring Creek Middle School

Why did you decide to become a teacher: I want to make a difference in the lives of students

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Candy Bar: Milky Way

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Book: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Where did you grow up: Davis County

Family: My husband and three daughters

Hobbies/Interest: walks/runs, read books, attend my daughters sporting events, and performances.

Suggested Donation List

Amy Prestwich

Position at North Park:  Kitchen Manager