Administration/Student Support
Meet the Team
Heidi Long
Executive Director
Heidi Long
Heidi Long always knew she'd make a lifelong career in education. It is what motivates and inspires her. She strives to create an ideal setting for children. This environment includes a place where students feel safe enough to take risks, challenge themselves, and explore what interests them. It is an environment where teachers are empowered to create a place of learning that is student-centered and encourages exploration and discovery. Her professional background includes 25 years of service in a variety of educational environments, including being a classroom teacher, a curriculum coordinator, a smaller learning communities director, and a school administrator, where she has had experiences in both the elementary and secondary settings as both a principal and vice-principal. She holds a Bachelor's of Education in English and Speech Communications and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Heidi loves spending time with her family, especially doing anything involving any activities that involve sunny skies, beaches, and beautiful lakes and oceans!
hlong@igniteutah.org
hlong@igniteutah.org
Kimberly Nahinu
Assistant Principal
Kimberly Nahinu
Kim Nahinu has a passion for education and striving for students' intellectual development and achievement in a supportive, positive climate where children feel safe, loved, and respected. Her education, coupled with years of teaching experience, has inspired her to join the administration team. The bulk of her teaching was spent in primary grades and special education. She was also a high school volleyball coach. Ms. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education, and a Masters in Administrative Leadership. When she’s not busy at school, Ms. Kim and her husband spend their weekends cheering on their three children in football, volleyball, tennis, and orchestra. Her family also enjoys traveling, especially to Hawaii and Las Vegas, to see their family and friends. Ms. Kim considers it a great privilege and responsibility to be your child’s assistant principal this year and is looking forward to a new adventure as an administrator at Ignite full of learning, growing, and fun! She is proud to be a firebird!
knahinu@igniteutah.org
knahinu@igniteutah.org
Danni Buttermore
Special Education Director
Danni Buttermore
Danni Buttermore holds a MAT in Special Education and an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. She believes in the power of special education and the irreplaceable potential of each student. She is grateful to work with the amazing IEA SpEd team! Danni is the mother of three adorable, angelic, humorous, strong, kind, and joyful children. They love the beach, reading at night, watching movies, and eating cookies and s'mores. Mission Statement = Challenges create Courage Compassion Critical Thinking "Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." - Christopher Reeves
dbuttermore@igniteutah.org
dbuttermore@igniteutah.org
Breanne Petersen
Student Support Director
Breanne Petersen
Breanne is excited to be a part of the Ignite family. She holds a MAT in special education and a masters in educational psychology and is currently working on her doctorate in School Psychology. Breanne has been privileged to work with students with special needs for 15 years, and loves helping students find their drive and passions to grow and learn. Breanne is a lover of all things Disney and outdoors. Chances are when she isn't at school, she is either at Disneyland or hiking in the mountains. Breanne is looking forward to helping the students at Ignite become lifelong learners in such a positive educational environment.mailto:bpetersen@igniteutah.org">bpetersen@igniteutah.org
Gary Adams
Finance/Human Resources Director
Gary Adams
Gary Adams is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, tax and business services. He celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and is excited about the possibilities that Ignite will provide for young people. His career has been spent mainly with small businesses, helping new and emerging companies with high quality financial services. Gary graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He worked with Ernst & Whinney in Sacramento, CA and later returned to Utah where he has been a partner in a CPA firm and Chief Financial Officer of several businesses. He currently owns his own accounting practice in Spanish Fork. Gary and his wife, Gini, are the parents of four children and grandparents of seven.
gadams@igniteutah.org
gadams@igniteutah.org
Amanda Stafford
Literacy/Math Specialist
Amanda Stafford
Amanda loves seeing children find their love of learning. Her desire is for every student in her class to become a lifelong learner as well as gain confidence in their individual abilities. She has eight years of experience teaching first and second grade. Since becoming a teacher she has earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. When not in the classroom Amanda is enjoying life with her family. She loves camping, hiking or anything outdoors. She also enjoys snuggling her kids while reading a good book or watching a movie together. They enjoy finding an adventure everywhere they go and had the opportunity to spend the past year in Nashville. br>astafford@igniteutah.org
Andrea Bingham
Counseling Intern
Andrea Bingham
Andrea is excited to start her school counseling career with Ignite She is currently completing her master's degree in Professional School Counseling with Utah State University. As a school counselor, Ms. Bingham is passionate about supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of every student. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family on the boat, ski slopes, and going on road trips.
abingham@igniteutah.org
abingham@igniteutah.org