July 2022 - Dan Bazan - Communications Director
As we approach our 20th Anniversary this year, we are constantly reminded of the individuals and families that helped make APA the amazing school it is today. Missy Bater is one of those individuals. She currently serves as the Assistant Academic Director - Elementary, supporting compliance, processing data, writing reports, and generally keeping the elementary academic program humming; however, she has had a unique journey through American Prep that can only be described as extraordinary.
Missy began teaching in inner-city Milwaukee while her husband attended grad school. After a few years, they moved to Salt Lake City due to his internship at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Missy was working four part-time teaching jobs when another extraordinary American Prep teacher, Jean Beifuss, asked her if she was interested in a permanent teaching position at APA. Missy jumped at the chance and said, "YES!" meeting with Carolyn Sharette in Salt Lake City later that week. Missy began working at Draper 1 a few days later. 
Throughout Missy's life, she has run toward challenges, not knowing what to expect but having faith that in the end that she would be right where she was needed. She applied this attitude to her time in the classroom. "Give me the most challenging students. Load my class with them. I always requested that my director give me the highest rep reading class with the students who struggled the most. Bring me your difficult parents and your spirited staff members. I'm a softie for the tough ones." - Missy Bater
An opportunity presented itself in 2009 when American Prep West Valley 1 opened. West Valley 1 was the first public charter school to serve Title 1 students in Utah, and being the first to launch, it came with many obstacles. Missy was up for the task and transferred to the new campus, where she would teach first grade until 2011.
When described by peers, Missy is regarded as a "behind the scenes warrior" with an amazing love for each student, instilling confidence in their ability to succeed. Her peers admire her for endlessly serving others with a smile and holding high classroom management standards, creating a classroom example that teachers-in-training and new families can rely on.
Seeking a new teaching challenge, Missy transferred to West Valley 2 in 2012 and later became the K-3 Lead, also serving as the First-Grade District Lead. She brought the K-3 team to APA standard within one year. Both Lead roles require a love of teaching and coaching, organization, and patience. Missy's efforts as a lead continue to benefit APA to this day. Many of our current standards and processes are inspired by the work done in those early years.
Missy went on to serve as the West Valley 2 Academic Director for several years. Her team remembers her as a fantastic director and admired her dedication, work ethic, care, and compassion for everyone.
Missy left West Valley 2 to start her family but has supported all APA campuses remotely as the Assistant District Academic Director. She works tirelessly, processing the district's mastery and staff compliance data. Missy also created the elementary administrative handbook and provides updates regularly.
Missy may not refer to her career or personal achievements as extraordinary; however, she was the teacher every student wanted to have and was a peer everyone wanted to work with. In her personal life, Missy is just as extraordinary and a force to be reckoned with. 
Here is a short list of things Missy has done that might make most people squirm.
- Run a Spartan Beast race, completing all the obstacles? Check.
- Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out on the most difficult trail with an 80-pound pack? Done.
- Bench my own weight (don't you dare ask how much)? Yup.
- Go down that black diamond run my first time on skis? Not my wisest decision, but I stayed upright the whole time.
- Start the school year with a half-finished classroom, not enough desks, and no indoor toilets? Bring it on.
- Teach with a "donkey" braying in the back of my classroom? All day, baby.
Missy is an outstanding wife and mother of three adorable kids. Her husband, who is also her high school sweetheart, is now a Pastor. Together, they serve their church and social community with grace and love.
"I was drawn to APA out of desperation for full-time work; I stayed because I absolutely fell in love with the mission and vision. APA truly does what's best for kids, and there is such an amazing support system put in place to accomplish that. My favorite phrase is, 'How can I help?'
The administration and staff at APA are built from this same spirit. When staff members and teachers have the knowledge and tools they need to do their work, the ones who benefit are the students. And we just happen to be in the business of student achievement.
If you need tech help, ask.
If you have HR questions, ask.
If you need classroom support, ask.
I would not have been successful in the classroom without the support I received from the entire APA team.
At APA, there is no such thing as a job too small. An insignificant position does not exist at our school. Every person plays a pivotal role in the success of APA and the achievement of our students. You matter. Your work matters." - Missy Bater
April 2022 - Lisa Denning - Character Development Director - Salem Campus
Lisa Denning is the Character Development Director at APA Salem Campus. Lisa has been with APA since we opened the Salem campus and is an integral and enduring part of our APA family! What you may not know is that she also serves the Salem community as an EMT. Lisa is an inspiring example of selfless service.
We asked Mrs. Denning to share her story with all of our APA families because she inspires us to work hard, believe in ourselves, and serve when and where we can.
Q: How did you start in education and eventually begin working with American Prep?
A: I started homeschooling 3 of my 5 children in 1998. When Liberty Academy opened in 2005, I moved my children there and began my educational adventure in charter schools. I have enjoyed being a parent volunteer, an interim director, a business director, a second-grade teacher, and a secondary teacher. I stayed with Liberty as they transitioned to APA in 2013, where I became the Character Development Director.
Q: What do you love about your role in Character Development?
A: I get to interact with students in kindergarten through 9th grade. I have loved watching the kids grow. I have been at the school long enough to see some of our former APA students send their children to our school. I also love seeing students have successes in social and civic situations.
Q: What led you to become an EMT and what inspires you to continue in this field?
A: EMS (Emergency Medical Services) started for me in 2015. I have always loved the medical field. I love the intensity of running a "hot" call and using my knowledge and training to work through a tough situation. It is my own form of adrenaline rush. My teaching spirit continues as I now teach EMS and CPR certification classes every Wednesday night and some weekends.
Q: How have you managed your EMS experience and family?
A: My family has learned the importance of public service from a young age. My husband is a police officer. I have three boys in the military, a firefighter, a daughter who is a stay-at-home mom but taught at APA for three years, and one getting ready to graduate from high school and wants to teach Agricultural sciences in high school.
I believe a balance of work, play, and family is essential. My kids "keep me in check" if I am overextending in any area, reminding me where my priority needs to be placed.
Fun fact - I had the opportunity to run EMS in Elk Ridge during the Pole Creek Fire in 2018. I led our department in the care of 175 firefighters (one of which was my son and son-in-law, a Blackhawk pilot dropping water) and many other volunteers managing the fire.
Q: What is your philosophy about emergency medicine and taking care of those in need?
A: Not everyone can do EMS, so I do something others cannot do for themselves. I have been trained in SWAT situations for clearing schools and high target areas. I am so grateful for the education and training available to me, and I take every opportunity to participate in preparing for the "it will never happen here" scenarios.
Q: What would you encourage students to research or study if they want to pursue medicine or emergency medical services?
A: Start now. Go to CPR, first aid, and lifeguard classes. These are great for understanding water rescue. When it comes to EMS training, I believe we are all high-rep learners and that practice and more practice make you great. I recommend going to fire departments and observing training. It is fantastic how EMS workers will encourage you to pursue this field.
Q: What can the average person do to help our first responders?
A: Although not everyone can do EMS as a job, I believe it is important that everyone is trained in basic first aid and CPR. Understanding the "basics" can help the average person improve the chances for EMS to help someone in need and potentially save a life.
There has been an overwhelming need for EMS workers in the past few years, and Lisa demonstrates why volunteering, training, and putting others first is crucial to our society.
More about Mrs. Denning
Q: Who are you inspired by?
A: My family encourages me to be better than I thought I could be, especially my dad.
Q: What are your hobbies and other interests?
A: I love gardening and knitting. And I love my time on a motorcycle and horses.
We are proud of Mrs. Denning for her service to our students and community. If you would like to learn more about Emergency Medical Service training, please reach out to Mrs. Denning at ldenning@apamail.org.
Gwen Knight is passionate about education, the welfare of children and families, and giving back to her community. When she decided to step back after working in child welfare for thirty years (25 years for the Utah State Court System and three years with an educational non-profit), she was looking for a job where she could continue using her experiences and skills to encourage and validate children. A friend told her about American Preparatory Academy, and now, when asked where she works, she replies that she has her “dream” job at an amazing school with individuals who respect and support one another and the students they serve.
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As a Front Office Secretary and Registrar at Draper 1, Gwen’s day is full of variety, challenges, and fun. Whether it’s taking care of a child injured on the playground, enrolling a new family, advising Hope Squad, removing a snake from a classroom, or assisting a parent, teacher, or student, Gwen’s mantra is “kindness matters .”She loves both the academic and character development pillars of APA and strives to be a Builder every day at work and home. 
She will tell you that the happiest moments of her life have included spending time with her husband and family, graduating from Southern Utah University with a BS and MPA, and being selected as Builder of the Year in 2020-21.
In Gwen’s spare time, she loves to play with family, including her 34 grandchildren, kayak and fish, and ride her tandem bike with her husband. She also enjoys a fun game of Top Golf and mothering her Golden Doodle, Cindy Lou. Giving back to the community is a must. She serves on the Advisory Council for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Southern Utah University and mentors youth and young adults. She is an Adjunct Instructor for the Masters of Public Administration Program at SUU and has taught online classes summer semester, including Administrative and Constitutional Law.
