Welcome New Faculty/Staff
Jackie Abrams, Fifth Grade. Jackie Abrams comes to American Heritage School from Rexburg, Idaho, where she taught Fifth Grade for Madison Middle School. With five children and fourteen grandchildren, and having received a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University-Idaho, Mrs. Abrams has devoted her life to children and teaching. Raised in California, she attended Ricks College where she initially received an associate’s degree in Child Care Specialization. Upon graduation Jackie returned to California to work until her sweetheart, Tony, returned from his mission. They were married shortly thereafter and began their family. Jackie has had her own daycare and preschool for many years, and has taught all ages in Primary, Sunday School, Young Women’s, and Relief Society. Her abiding love for teaching and children brought her back to Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2006, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education in April of 2009. Jackie and Tony are the parents of five children, four of whom are married. Other degrees that Jackie has earned include AAS Child Care Specialization from Ricks College, and an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) from Idaho State University. Welcome, Mrs. Abrams!
Vivian M. Adams, LDS Church History & Doctrine (AHS Distance Education). Vivian M. Adams served twelve years on the Chicago Region Public Communications Council of the Church appearing in numerous media interviews, and speaking to schools, colleges, and community groups on LDS doctrine and history. She was then called by the Church to serve as media representative in the Midwest on controversial issues. She has been active in state and national politics, and civic and public service organizations, and is a recipient of the Brigham Young University Alumni Community Service Award. She has been a presenter at BYU Education Week and BYU Women's Conference, and in women's conferences across the country. She has published several articles and electronic media on Church related subjects. She is currently Historian and Educational Outreach chairman for the Joseph Smith Sr./Lucy Mack Smith Foundation. She has taught Institute at Harvard, Boston College, and BYU. She and her husband, Carlos, have six children and thirty-two grandchildren, and an adorable great granddaughter. Welcome, Mrs. Adams!
Doug Andersen, AP Human Geography (AHS Distance Education). After working in Utah public schools for 19 years, Doug Andersen is excited to work with American Heritage School Distance Education. Doug received a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education Social Science Teaching from Brigham Young University with minors in Geography, History, and Anthropology. He later received a Masters degree from Utah State University in Geography. He has taught World Geography, World History, US History and AP Human Geography in Wasatch and Alpine School Districts. He loves to discover the world through travel and has special interest in Asia. After serving a mission in the Philippines, he has been able to learn in Japan, Korea, India and Nepal. He currently teaches AP Human Geography at Oak Canyon Junior High and works full time in the McKay School of Education at BYU. He currently serves as the vice-president of the Utah Geographic Alliance, a non-profit organization that works to improve geographic literacy in Utah. He is excited to help students discover the world that they “may be prepared in all things.” Mr. and Mrs. Andersen are the parents of five children ages 6 to 16 and are very excited to be associated with American Heritage School. Welcome, Mr. Andersen!
Mike Bohn, Asst. Development Director, Asst. Family Education Center Director, Family Science Instructor, Student Government Mentor. Mike Bohn relocated his family to Utah in 2010 joining the Administration and Faculty of American Heritage School. He is passionate about Christ-centered living, loving, and education as a firm foundation. Originally from California, he has also lived in Texas, Hawaii, Missouri, Arkansas, and Arizona. He served in the China, Hong Kong Mission. Mr. Bohn earned his BS in Psychology from BYU and Masters in Family, Human Development from USU. He is the author of two relationship books and a weekly newspaper relationship column, teaches relationship classes, and is a motivational speaker. He was a Seminary/Institute Religious Educator for many years and professor/administrator for several colleges – most recently at SVU. He and his wife, Amy, have been married for more than 10 years, have two boys, and are expecting their third child this year. Welcome, Mr. Bohn
Julie Bouche, Tenth-Grade English (AHS Distance Education). Mrs. Bouche joins the faculty of American Heritage School with a bachelor's degree in English Teaching and History Teaching from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University. The greatest joy in her life is being with her husband of ten years (and who has been her best friend for twenty) and three amazing boys. She has a passion for traveling, particularly the British Isles where she spent a semester studying. It was while serving a mission in Santiago, Chile, that she discovered a love of the ocean and a reverence for the grandeur of God's creations. As a self-proclaimed "English nerd", she loves reading and analyzing, and has a great deal of respect for those who change the world through their words. If you ask her what her favorite book or movie is, she will ask you to pick a genre first. She is excited to be teaching at American Heritage where she can use the gospel she loves to help her students to find truth wherever it can be found. Most recently she has been working with girls suffering from eating disorders at a small private high school in Orem. Welcome, Mrs. Bouche!
Crystal Budge, Physics. Crystal Budge's interest in science manifested itself early in the form of many childhood experiments such as jumping off taller and taller objects, playing with her father's welder, studying lightning bugs in captivity, and charting the progress of healing bruises. She survived long enough to graduate with a B.S. in Physics and a Mathematics minor from Brigham Young University, before working in biophysics laser and protein research at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, home of the atomic bomb (which she had nothing to do with, honest). After falling head over heels for the brilliant and handsome Matthew Budge, she found more adventure than she'd ever dreamed possible in building with him a family of six fire-breathing, homeschooled children. Matt's untimely death from a rare and rapid cancer put a serious crimp in everybody's plans, but families are forever- so the intrepid crew relocated from Texas to Utah and Crystal began teaching mathematics to middle schoolers while earning a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She is delighted to bring her enthusiasm for science, for life, and especially for the miracle of the restored gospel to American Heritage School and its amazing families. Welcome, Mrs. Budge!
William Duncan, U.S. Constitution (AHS Distance Education). Bill Duncan brings to his teaching about the United States Constitution experience in constitutional cases related to marriage, parents and the family. He has served as the acting director of the Marriage Law Project at the Catholic University of America, visiting professor at the J. Reuben Clark Jr. Law School at Brigham Young University, and is currently the director of the Marriage Law Foundation. He also teaches family law classes to undergraduate students at BYU as an adjunct professor. Bill has published numerous articles in law journals, as well as other academic and popular publication on family and constitutional law issues. Recently, he was invited to write two essays on specific numbers of the Federalist Papers for the Constituting America project. Bill and his wife, Catherine, are the parents of four daughters and three sons whom they home school. Welcome, Mr. Duncan!
David Hancock, Journalism, Yearbook, Debate, Athletic Director, Ninth-Grade English (AHS Distance Education). David Hancock graduated from BYU in 1991 with a degree in English. He then went back to school and received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from BYU in 1994. After graduation, Mr. Hancock and his family moved to Southern California where he practiced law for 14 years. In 2008, Mr. Hancock returned to Utah in order to begin a career in teaching. He has taught high school and middle school in Eagle Mountain, Utah, providing instruction in 7th through 10th grade English, Debate, Creative Writing, and Chess. Mr. Hancock currently lives in Eagle Mountain with his wife and four children. His oldest daughter is married and lives with her husband in Southern California. Welcome, Mr. Hancock!
Vachelle A. Johnson, Administrative Assistant. Vachelle joined American Heritage School in April 2010. She grew up in California, but has lived in Utah for most of her life. She came to AHS with thirty years experience in management, event planning/marketing, and administration. Vachelle has given thousands of hours in volunteer service to the United Way, Boy Scouts of America , schools and various hospitals. She attended Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) and has taken continuing education courses at Brigham Young University. She is the mother of one daughter — her miracle! Vachelle's favorite place to travel is the British Isles where her mother was born and raised. She loves music and is an alumna of the Mormon Youth Chorus. She has taught art, guitar, and has served in many different capacities in the Church. She served a full-time Spanish speaking mission in Texas. Vachelle, her husband, Webb, daughter and parents all live together in Orem. Welcome, Mrs. Johnson!
Jeff Meade, Middle & High School Mathematics. Jeff Meade comes to American Heritage School with over a decade of Saxon math teaching experience in middle and high school levels as well as experience in civil and mechanical engineering. Prior to joining American Heritage, Mr. Meade taught all levels of middle school math at American Preparatory Academy in West Valley City, UT, and all levels of high school math, physics and chemistry for a tutoring service and homeschool cooperative that he and his wife Wendy successfully administered for over ten years in Portland, Oregon (class sizes of 15-25 students per year). With a masters degree in Civil Engineering and a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, Mr. Meade taught math and engineering as a grduate teaching assistant at BYU, and has also worked professionally as a process engineer and surveyor. He and his wife Wendy (yes, our very own Mrs. Wendy Meade - who teaches Seventh Grade core!) are the parents of five children and live in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Mr. & Mrs. Meade are both thrilled to be working together again and feel like they are "home" at American Heritage where they can instruct students together in the light of the restored Gospel. Welcome, Mr. Meade!
Nancy Morrill, Third Grade. Having worked as a frequent and long-term substitute teacher at American Heritage School from 2008 to 2010, and with two children currently enrolled at AHS, many teachers, parents, and students already know and love Mrs. Nancy Morrill! Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Brigham Young University and has worked as a Substitute Teacher for American Heritage School, Highland Elementary, and in the Franklin, Massachusetts school district. She has also been actively involved with the Utah State Office of Education’s efforts in the areas of accelerated learners, special education, and accommodated learning. Prior to her work in teaching, Nancy was a high-tech recruiter and also worked in public television. She has taught and led in LDS primaries and Young Women organizations for many years. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys quilting, family history work and spending time with her family. Nancy and her husband, Greg, are the parents of twins, Chloe and Ethan, who both attend American Heritage School. Mrs. Morrill will teach third grade along with Mrs. McIntyre and Miss DeSoto. Welcome, Mrs. Morrill!
Monica Orcutt, Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III (On-Campus), and Spanish (AHS Distance Education). Monica Bausset-Orcutt is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mrs. Bausset moved to the United States after her High School graduation to attend BYU-Provo and has live here since. Monica holds a Master’s degree in Spanish from BYU-Provo and has completed post-graduate studies at the University of Utah and at the University of Texas-Austin in Latin American Literature, Jewish Studies, and Comparative Cultural Studies. She enjoys Theater and Poetry, Humanities and Medieval Literature. Mrs. Baussett also has an Endorsement in English as a Second Language and Mediation. Monica has spent many years teaching all levels of Spanish in different teaching environments: MTC, college, high school, concurrent enrollment, AP, military refresher courses, private tutoring and online. She has also been engaged in research and publications that include a book and many scholarly articles. Additionally, she has worked in the business world as an International Marketing /Cultural Consultant and as an Employment and Career Counselor. Monica loves to travel. Her trips include Europe, Puerto Rico and the West Indies, Mexico, South America, Canada and all over the US. She also enjoys reading and writing, foreign films, walking, hiking, cooking, gardening, art museums, cultural events and learning foreign languages. She served a full time mission in Argentina-Cordoba, a Stake mission in Utah Valley and a Welfare Mission at the American Fork Employment Center. She is the mother of five wonderful accomplished children. Welcome, Mrs. Orcutt!
Miriam Robertson, Literature (AHS Distance Education). Miriam Robertson graduated from BYU with a B.S in Sociology and a minor in English. She distinguished herself as a scholar by accepting the honor of Valedictorian of the Sociology Department. She continued her education by earning a M.A. from Grand Canyon University. She has worked for 12 years in public education working in several high schools in Utah County. She also taught at Neumont University in the General Education Department. During her career, she has served as College Dean and Department, Chair. She has presented at professional conferences on various topics. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where she is actively involved in the Young Women organization in her ward. Additionally, her love of family history and journaling has led her to be an Independent Consultant for Heritage Makers; a company that celebrates families and provides ways for people to record their own stories. Miriam enjoys outdoor recreational activities with her family including hiking, four-wheel riding, and gardening. Welcome, Mrs. Robertson!
Patrick Wright, Financial Literacy (AHS Distance Education). Patrick Wright's love for the faith-based teaching approach and lessons on self government are what brought him to American Heritage. As a business professional, Patrick brings a unique perspective to the school. Currently the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for a health and wellness company, Patrick serves part time as an independent study professor. Patrick received his bachelors from BYU in marketing and is currently finishing his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Dallas. Patrick is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and resides in Utah County with his lovely wife and their three beautiful children.
