Welcome New Administrators
Jessica Grabe
Primary School Assistant Principal
As an experienced, culturally responsive educator of twenty plus years who believes in educating the whole child, I am happy to be joining the team at Elizabeth Academy. I have a degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Social Studies. I have a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Principal Certification, but that is not where my educational experience began. At 16 months old, my parents strongly believed in the Montessori philosophy and that is where I began my love of learning and exploring. My first teaching job was in High School when I became a certified ski instructor and taught the youngest adventurers. At the time, I never thought I would be a teacher. But 20 plus years later having taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades and having been an instructional coach and Assistant Principal, including 7 years at Seward Montessori, I know I have found my place. I feel excited and privileged to begin this new adventure with all of you.
On a personal note, I’m coming to Salt Lake City from Minneapolis with my very favorite people and fur babies, my husband Todd of 18 years, my daughter Olive (16), and my son Porter (14). We also have two dogs, Lucy and Spencer, that are joining us on our new adventure. When not at school, I love to be outside running, walking the dogs, biking, paddle boarding, or snowboarding. I spent my first few years of college in Bozeman, and I can’t wait to be back in the mountains.
Emily Anderson
Secondary School Assistant Principal
Emily Andersen is a seasoned educator and administrator with a distinguished 22-year career spanning various educational settings, including public, private, charter, and online schools. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Teaching English Language Arts with a minor in History, earned from Brigham Young University and a Master of Science in Education Leadership from Southern Utah University.
Emily has garnered recognition for her exceptional contributions to curriculum development, educational leadership, and community service, amassing 18 awards. Her commitment to innovation and excellence is evident through the successful acquisition of two project grants and her invitation to present at national education conferences on 15 occasions.
Emily's expertise extends to instructional design, where she has authored six courses and overseen the development of numerous others. Beyond her roles in the classroom, Emily has dedicated herself to mentoring three administrative interns, contributing to the next generation of educational leaders.
Colleagues consistently describe Emily as an "innovative" and "visionary" leader, recognizing her ability to drive positive change in educational environments. However, Emily's true passion lies in the individualized educational experiences she tailors to each student, an approach she believes is paramount to fostering their success.
Lindsay Baird
Special Education Director
Lindsay Baird's dedication to education spans over 17 years, characterized by her commitment to shaping young minds and cultivating inclusive learning environments. She began her journey by earning a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education (K-12) Mild/Moderate Disabilities from Utah State University. Her first assignment was teaching kindergarten through second grade to students with social, emotional, and academic challenges. Lindsay embraced creativity as a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy.
After her third year of teaching, she was tasked with creating an early childhood classroom that addressed the individual needs of students with disabilities. She went back to school and earned Special Education Birth-5 Endorsement from Utah State University. From crafting milk jug igloos to transforming the classroom into imaginative settings like Mrs. Claus's bakery, she ensured that learning was always an exciting adventure.
Her innovative approach yielded remarkable results, with her students experiencing significant gains both academically and socially. Lindsay's ability to blend explicit instruction with engaging activities provided her students with valuable opportunities to practice skills in dynamic and interactive ways.
She went back to Utah State University for a third time earning a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision. Transitioning into school administration after six years in the classroom, Lindsay continued to champion excellence in education. Over eight years, she played a pivotal role in supporting teachers, refining curriculum, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within her school community.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a passion for professional development, Lindsay embraced a new challenge as an Early Literacy Coach. In this role, she shared her expertise in developmentally appropriate literacy strategies, cognitive processes, data analysis, and reflective teaching practices with fellow educators. She is currently working on completing an Instructional Coaching Endorsement and a Science of Reading training course.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Lindsay finds fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother to two wonderful sons, Justin, and Marshall. Together with her husband Jason, she relishes the opportunity to embark on adventures with her family, creating cherished memories along the way.