Welcome Our New Teachers to Westridge Elementary!

We’re excited to welcome several outstanding educators to the Westridge Elementary family this year! Each of these teachers brings unique experience, fresh enthusiasm, and a passion for helping students thrive. Read on to learn more about the amazing individuals joining our team:

Mrs. Barney – 6th Grade Teacher We’re thrilled to welcome Mrs. Barney to the 6th grade team! Although this is her first year teaching 6th grade, she brings over 15 years of classroom experience as a volunteer, paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and parent. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University and her Master’s in Teaching from Southern Oregon University.

Mrs. Barney and her husband have four children and a black cat named Vader. She enjoys playing games, watching movies, and spending time with family. She’s excited to help build a strong, supportive classroom where each student feels valued.

Miss Ariel George – Kindergarten Teacher Miss George is joining the Kindergarten team with six years of teaching experience, including three in Kindergarten. She grew up in Taylorsville, Utah, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and her master’s in English Language Learning from Western Governors University.

She enjoys reading, hot yoga, roller skating, singing, and spending time with friends and family. Miss George is passionate about helping young learners believe in themselves and realize their potential. She’s thrilled to be part of the Westridge community.

Ms. Egbert – 3rd Grade Teacher Ms. Egbert will be teaching 3rd grade this year, and we’re so excited to have her at Westridge! Originally from Portland, Oregon, she recently graduated from Brigham Young University and is beginning her first year of teaching.

She loves spending time outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, cross stitching, playing volleyball, and trying new restaurants. Ms. Egbert can’t wait to meet her students and build a fun, supportive classroom environment.

Mrs. Reiah Christensen – 1st Grade Teacher Mrs. Christensen is joining our 1st grade team with a strong passion for education and supporting student growth. She is originally from Oregon and graduated from BYU with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish.

She enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two younger brothers. Mrs. Christensen believes in the power of relationships and is eager to help her students learn and grow together this year at Westridge.

Mrs. Makenna Sprickerhoff – Teacher We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Sprickerhoff to Westridge! Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in Provo with her husband. She considers herself a jack of all trades—passionate about the arts, sports, board games, nature, movies, and dance parties!

She studied Elementary Education at BYU and is dedicated to creating a classroom where every student feels safe and supported, including students who are speakers of other languages. Mrs. Sprickerhoff is excited to begin this new chapter and connect with her students and the Westridge community.

We’re thrilled to have these incredible educators join our Westridge team. Be sure to give them a warm Wildcat welcome as we start another amazing year together! 🐾