Utah Preparatory Academy - Boy's Ranch

Diana's passion has always been as an advocate to improve a child's life. After receiving her Master's in Social Work from Brigham Young University, Diana set out on a 19 year career working as a licensed clinical social worker with the Utah's Division of Child and Family Services. Initially working on the frontline of finding the best placement for a child in crisis and then advancing into the department that licenses and supervises Utah's schools and programs, Diana understands the importance of matching a student to the appropriate school or program. After seeing first-hand the gaps in specialty educational services, Diana embarked on a mission to create a comprehensive environment that provides a student with the structure and safety to achieve emotional growth, along with top-notch academic support. While Utah Preparatory Academy has been a lifelong dream fulfilled, Diana's heart and soul belong to her four children, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, she loves the chance to spend time in the mountains and traveling in the company of her children (and a good book on her porch!).

Email Diana at: Diana@utahprepacademy.com

Aaron believes in the strength of integrating life with therapy and whether it's helping a student explore how the challenges of family can parallel the challenge of a sinking a good putt on the golf course, or the personal satisfaction achieved from meeting the test of a ropes course, his sessions with students are not your traditional 'office visit'. Aaron leads a student through developing their self-esteem from the beginning of enrollment at Utah Prep and helps the student take a hands-on approach to resolving the challenges they are facing. After completing his Master's in Social Work from the University of Wyoming, Aaron has pursued a life that demonstrates the value of helping yourself through helping others. From his experience of counseling the victims at Ground Zero in NYC after 9-11, to his years spent in private practice specializing in helping people develop the skills to live with and overcome post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and abuse related issues, Aaron knows the value of integrating a structured, supportive environment like Utah Prep into the life of a child who finds themselves failing. Always ready to toss a baseball or take his family of four children for a hike in the Wasatch Range, Aaron also volunteers for the Manti Ambulance Association as an EMT so he can continue serving on both the local and national levels.

Email Aaron at: Aaron@utahprepacademy.com

She's a country-school teacher and then some! Marilee's love for children and education has taken her in a variety of directions, including serving on Utah State's PTA Board, lobbying for those issues valuable to both child and parent in the public school system. Marilee lives the concept that if a child can experience success in their academic life, that positive energy will flow over into their family and social lives. Within the classroom of Utah Prep, Marilee takes the lead in helping a student design their educational plan. Outside the classroom, she is facilitating the communication between therapists, parents and the Sanpete School District, ensuring that when a student is ready to transition home, their confidence in schoolwork is at an all-time high. A Southern California native, it was during her college years when Marilee fell in love with both Utah and her husband Rick. With four children of their own and a love of sports, Marilee can often being found sitting on the sidelines, cheering her kids on, and having fun in the outdoors.

Email Marilee at: Marilee@utahprepacademy.com