uac preschool faculty

Amy Corry is a licensed elementary educator in the state of Utah and a graduate of Brigham Young University, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career as a 4th grade teacher in Wasatch County before bringing her passion for early childhood education to Utah Arts Collective Preschool, where she has been teaching for the past four years.

Amy is also a proud mom of three energetic young boys, and she brings that same energy, patience, and enthusiasm into the classroom. Her background in elementary education, combined with her love for children, creates a warm and engaging learning environment where young students can thrive.

Camie Kelson has been teaching the 2-year-old preschool classes at UAC for the past eight years. With a degree in Psychology from the University of Utah, she brings a thoughtful and nurturing approach to early childhood education. Camie has also served on multiple PTA and WPN boards, including as PTA President at Midway Elementary, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to supporting young learners.

As a proud mother of one daughter and three sons, Camie understands the importance of creating a safe, engaging, and joyful space for children to begin their educational journey. She brings a special sparkle to her classroom—making each child feel welcomed, valued, and excited to learn.

Debbie Chappell holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing from the University of Utah and brings over 20 years of teaching experience in both preschool and dance education. She has been a valued member of the UAC preschool faculty for the past 10 years, where she is known for her nurturing approach and creative teaching style.

Debbie is the proud mother of three beautiful daughters and has a true passion for working with young children. Her ability to connect with students and make learning joyful helps create a classroom environment where curiosity and confidence thrive.

Ev Wood brings over 20 years of experience to the Utah Arts Collective, where she has been instrumental in developing and writing curriculum for the preschool’s art and music programs. With a strong background in early childhood education and curriculum design, Ev has studied various child development programs and continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing online coursework with Brigham Young University–Idaho.

In addition to her educational expertise, Ev holds a Master Gardener Certificate and has professional experience in landscape design—skills that bring a creative and nature-inspired touch to her teaching. Her passion for the arts and commitment to nurturing young minds make her a cherished part of the UAC team.

Heidi Furner earned her degree in Elementary Education from Dixie College. With over 10 years of preschool teaching experience, she brings passion and dedication to every classroom she leads.

Heidi is a proud mom to a 13-year-old son and enjoys traveling with her family, dancing, long walks, and spending time with friends. Teaching is her true passion, and she lives by the motto: “Behind every child who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first.”

Nothing brings Heidi more joy than building strong bonds with her students, creating a loving and safe environment, and watching each child learn and grow. She truly loves her role as a UAC preschool teacher and cherishes every moment with her students.

Jamie Giles brings over 30 years of teaching experience to Utah Arts Collective, with specialized training in early childhood education and a deep passion for working with young dancers. She currently serves as Director of both the Academy Competition Teams and the UAC Children's Dance Program, where she leads with creativity, structure, and heart.

Jamie is a strong advocate for the power of dance education in building self-esteem, confidence, and discipline in children. Her wealth of experience and dedication to nurturing young talent make her an inspiring leader and beloved teacher within the UAC community.

Nicole Walton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in photography, bringing creativity, energy, and an upbeat approach to the preschool classroom. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she has a natural ability to connect with young learners and make each day fun, engaging, and inspiring.

In addition to her work in early childhood education, Nicole has coached high school drill teams for the past 15 years and is a professional photographer, proudly running her own business, Nicole Walton Photo. Outside the classroom, she stays very busy as a proud mom of four children, balancing her creative passions with the joys of family life.

Tiffany Erickson holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and brings a diverse and well-rounded teaching background to the UAC team. She taught 5th grade for five years, homeschooled her own children for eight years, and has been teaching preschool since 2017. She also brings experience in physical education, having taught PE to students in grades K–6 for one year.

Tiffany is a certified Creation Coach, a role similar to a life coach, which complements her engaging and supportive teaching style. As UAC’s Reading Specialist, she creates a classroom environment that is both creative and fun — inspiring a love of learning while building essential early literacy skills.

Tina Bolingbroke is the Director of the UAC Preschool Program and brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her role. She holds both a Child Development Certificate and a Nursing Assistant Certificate, reflecting her deep commitment to early childhood education and care.

As a proud mother of nine and grandmother to many, Tina brings both professional expertise and personal wisdom to her leadership. Her passion for working with children is matched by her love for creativity and connection—both of which are reflected in her classroom and throughout the program.

In her free time, Tina enjoys scrapbooking, genealogy, and traveling. Her warmth, dedication, and decades of experience make her a guiding light for both students and staff at UAC.

Zaude Jenkins has been teaching Introduction to Spanish at UAC for over seven years. Originally from Santiago, Chile, she has called the Heber Valley home for the past 12 years.

Zaude inspires her students through catchy songs, vivid illustrations, engaging books, and fun crafts. Her goal is to create a joyful and supportive learning environment where children gain confidence and effortlessly incorporate new language skills into their everyday lives.

She embraces the philosophy, “Children are not distractions from important work. They are the most important work.” — C.S. Lewis. As a proud mother of four bilingual children who have thrived in their education, Zaude brings both personal experience and passion to her teaching.