Lower Elementary
Meet the Team
Amber Mortensen
Lead Teacher
Amber Mortensen
Amber grew up in Fillmore, Utah, but lived in the Midwest for roughly half of her adult life, including time in Michigan, Ohio, and a decade in Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor’s
of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Master of Arts in Montessori Leadership from Sarasota University. During her thirteen year career teaching young children, her emphasis in the classroom has been on nurturing emotional intelligence,
curiosity and wonder in a trauma-informed environment. Her husband of 24 years and their five children are her best friends. They are a quirky, nerdy family who enjoys all things geek, being together in nature, fostering their unique talents, and laughing
and playing together.
amortensen@igniteutah.org
amortensen@igniteutah.org
Andrea Pierotti
Lead Teacher
Andrea Pierotti
Since 2006, Andrea has been joyfully working to foster education worthy of their children she teaches. She sees education as preparation for the future but also as a way to create a vibrant, curious life right now, today, together.
Andrea and her family recently returned to Utah from 13 years in Richmond, VA where she spent her days helping to pioneer the Reggio Emelia philosophy into the elementary grades. She has taught kindergarten, first, second and third grades over the years but the grade that has her heart is always the one she is with. Andrea is passionate about working with children to help influence the vision of child-centered, creative, and engaging educational experiences that honor the brilliance of each individual while also challenging them to stretch and grow.
apierotti@igniteutah.org
apierotti@igniteutah.org
Chelsi Ostergaard
Lead Teacher
Chelsi Ostergaard
Chelsi has been a Montessori teacher since 2007. She has taught many years in Early childhood and Lower Elementary. Chelsi loves working closely with children and loves seeing them succeed. She wants nothing but the best for every child in her classroom and she enjoys getting to know each child as an individual. Chelsi has completed her Bachelor's degree in Special Education at Westminster College. She has also earned her MACTE Early Childhood Montessori credential through MEPI (Montessori Education Programs International) and her Lower Elementary Montessori AMS credential through the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. When she is not teaching, Chelsi loves golfing, spending time with her family, camping and being outdoors.
costergaard@igniteutah.org
costergaard@igniteutah.org
Elise Staker
Lead Teacher/Team Lead
Elise Staker
Elise has been with Ignite since its opening year in 2018 and couldn't imagine a better place to be. She has always loved learning and has worked with children from a young age. When she learned about Ignite and its unique approach to education, she decided to switch paths and pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education at Western Governor's University. Elise prioritizes making students feel welcome in the classroom despite any challenges or differences and finds value in encouraging mindfulness and curiosity in every child. Outside of teaching, she loves to read, spend time outdoors, and try new things as often as possible. She is looking forward to many more adventures at Ignite!
estaker@igniteutah.org
estaker@igniteutah.org
Roxana Santana
Lead Teacher
Roxana Santana
My name is Roxana Santana and I am originally from Los Angeles, California. I have a bachelors degree from the University of California Riverside. Moving to Utah has been the best decision I have made because I am able to give me family a better style of living. I have always loved children and now that I have my own child I have realized that teaching is the career I want to be in. I have been teaching PreK for 2 years and loved every second of it. I am looking forward to learning and gaining more experiences with Ignite.
rsantana@igniteutah.org
rsantana@igniteutah.org
Abby VanUitert
Teacher Assistant
Abby VanUitert
Abby was born in Salt Lake City and currently lives in Orem, Utah. She is attending Utah Valley University and majoring in family science. Abby has always had a love for children and spent several years working at Blooming Minds Montessori where she taught a variety of ages and grew a genuine love for teaching and watching children grow and learn individually. Abby is passionate about what she does and looks at every day as an opportunity to become better. She loves the way that Ignite allows children to dive deep into the curriculum and truly understand what they are being taught. She could not be more excited to teach and bond with the students at Ignite
aseamons@igniteutah.org
aseamons@igniteutah.org
Adriana Santana
Teacher Assistant
Adriana Santana
Adriana Santana moved to Utah three years ago after originally living in California her whole life. Her education background includes 3 years of working in the field of education as a support teacher in a childcare center. Working in education is her passion. Her goal is to encourage students to feel confident that all their dreams and educational goals can be accomplished. It is such a joy for Adriana to be working at Ignite Academy as a teacher assistant in a lower elementary class setting, to support the teacher, and most importantly, to help our Ignite kids see that they are more than capable of learning and attaining all of their dreams! Lastly, she's
passionate about helping others feel confident, which is why she worked hard to get through her state board exams and get licensed in the state of Utah as an Esthetician and enjoys doing manicures as a hobby.
asantana@igniteutah.org
asantana@igniteutah.org
Koa Nahinu
Teacher Assistant
Koa Nahinu
Koa Nahinu first moved to Utah in 2018. He was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Some of his passions are art, fashion design, and music. He has been volunteering at Ignite since it’s opening year. He has been a Summer Bridge assistant, sub, and volunteered in several other areas. He is very passionate about building individuality in students and creating a classroom where they feel safe and ready to take on day-to-day challenges. He wants every child to walk away from this year with confidence in themselves and respect for those around them.
koanahinu@igniteutah.org
koanahinu@igniteutah.org
Hannah Macfarlane
Teacher Assistant
Hannah Mafarlane
Hannah Macfarlane has lived Utah her entire life and cannot imagine living anywhere besides this wonderful place! She has had the pleasure of working with kids of all ages-whether that be in an afterschool program, summer camp, elementary school, preschool, and Kindergarten Prep! Hannah originally went to school to become a Master Esthetician. While working toward her certification, she worked at an elementary school and shortly after graduating, realized her true passion was working with kids! She loves being a part of their adventures in learning and growing! There is something so incredible about them and it is so fulfilling to her to be part of this. She has been married to her sweet husband since April 2018 and we love going to movies, concerts, camping, and being together!
hmacfarlane@igniteutah.org
hmacfarlane@igniteutah.org
Jennifer Moulton
Teacher Assistant
Jennifer Moulton
Jennifer (Jenni) Moulton has worked at Ignite since it first opened its doors in 2018. She is excited to be part of this amazing Lower Elementary team and is looking forward to a great year. Jenni has worked in the education field for 11 years, in roles that included preschool teacher, special education paraprofessional, assistant to the special education director and teacher assistant. She loves working with children and seeing their excitement for learning grow. Jenni has a bachelor’s of Science degree in English Literature and is passionate about helping children learn to read She has three children, two of which have Dyslexia and other learning challenges. Jenni enjoys watching plays, musicals, movies and whatever her children are performing in. She also enjoys being outdoors hiking, kayaking and going for walks.
jmoulton@igniteutah.org
jmoulton@igniteutah.org