Claire Nelson- 2nd Grade Traditional

Hi! I’m Claire Nelson. I grew up in both San Clemente, California, and Provo, Utah. I graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I’m currently in my first year of teaching with the Provo School District, and I absolutely love it! I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade — working with kids brings me so much joy. When I’m not teaching, I love spending time outdoors, whether that’s hiking or going for walks. I also enjoy exercising, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. I’ve been married for almost two years, and my husband and I love exploring new places and playing card games.

Olivia Baldwin- 3rd Grade DLI English

Hello! My name is Olivia Baldwin, and I’m excited to be teaching 3rd grade this year. I’m originally from Vancouver, Washington. I attended Utah Tech University for a few years before transferring to Utah Valley University, where I’m finishing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. My interest in teaching began while working at a middle school in St. George, and I’m grateful for the experience that sparked my passion for education.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, and trying new food. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and can’t wait to work with my students!

Katie Stout- 3rd Grade Traditional

Hello! My name is Katie Stout, and I am super excited to be a Canyon Crest Cub next year! I’m from California and love being outdoors. Some of my favorite activities include swimming, skiing, hiking, playing pickleball, and traveling with my husband and dog! If I can’t be outside, I’m probably inside baking. One of my favorite things about being a teacher is learning from my students! I believe that each student has something unique and valuable to bring to my classroom and I look forward to getting to know my Canyon Crest family this next year!

Teresa Toluta-u- 4th Grade DLI English

Aloha! My name is Mrs. Toluta’u (aka “Mrs. T”). I am excited to be the new 4th grade DLI English teacher at Canyon Crest! I have 30 years of teaching experience between St. George and Provo, Utah. I love teaching 4th graders about the great state of Utah! Whether it’s through an exciting book, creative STEM activity, or engaging classroom project, I strive to make learning fun and memorable for every student. When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me spending time with family, finishing creative projects, and always making time to read a good book! I look forward to the new school year and working alongside all of the amazing children, families, and personnel at Canyon Crest!

Emma Garner- 5th Grade Traditional

I’m so excited to be joining Canyon Crest for the 2025-2026 school year! I’ve spent the last four years teaching fifth grade in Provo and am passionate about creating a classroom where students feel valued, inspired, and excited to learn.

When I’m not teaching, I’m busy being a mom to two amazing kids—with baby number three arriving in April! I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone at Canyon Crest and being part of all the great things happening here.

Paula Ward- 5th Grade DLI Spanish

Paula earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the Instituto de Educación Superior Leopoldo Marechal in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She holds a Bilingual Endorsement from Weber State, an ESL Endorsement from BYU, and a Master’s in Spanish Pedagogy from BYU. 

As a passionate advocate for second language acquisition and the Dual Immersion (DLI) program, Paula has dedicated much of her career to professional development and teacher training. She has presented workshops at BYU and the annual DLI conference (AUDI), and has worked closely with both new and experienced teachers. She has also served as a mentor for DLI educators and BYU interns, participated in panel discussions addressing the needs of struggling students, and held the role of district instructional coach. Additionally, Paula is the creator and former director of the Spanish Summer Camps, which offer immersive language experiences to young learners.

Paula’s teaching philosophy centers on engaging students in activities that activate their prior knowledge and foster a love of learning. She ensures that the input is comprehensible, the activities are meaningful, and students are encouraged to use the language in authentic contexts aligned with the curriculum.

Originally from Argentina, Paula is in her 20th year of teaching. She is the proud mother of three bilingual children: Jennifer (27), Nicole (25), and David (21).

Jac Trunk- SPED Teacher Leader

Hi, Canyon Crest!  I’m so excited to join your team!!  A little about my professional background — I’ve been teaching in Provo since 2020, including various roles at our elementary behavior unit, secondary settings, and elementary schools. I have both an Elementary Education teaching license and a Special Education teaching license, as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I’m passionate about early behavioral intervention, specifically in ways that are readily implementable and sustainable. My guiding teaching mantra is that collaboration will get us there.

A little about me — I have four daughters that are students in Provo:  17, 16-year-old twins, and 11. To say my house is full of makeup, rogue hair brushes, and ongoing fights about who-stole-whose-clothes-without-asking is an understatement!  Our girls keep us busy, laughing, and well-versed in phrases like in my petty era, or it’s giving aura points, or what the skibidi, bruh?!  I’ve been married for 20 years, and it’s been anything but boring — we’ve lived in Florida, New York, Jersey, Mississippi, Texas, and Utah. We love cold weather, the mountains, campfires, sports, and good food. My husband works in finance, and is a stand-up comedian in his spare time. I love laughing, and try really hard not to take life too seriously. 

Fun facts — my first degree is in Musical Theatre, and my one and only leading role was Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. I’m a diehard Atlanta Braves fan, and watch every single game of every season. I love to say “I love camping!” but the truth is I like the idea of camping, and lowkey hate it a solid 50% of the time I’m there. I coached a highly-competitive club soccer team for several years, and may or may not have gotten my fair share of coach yellow cards. And finally, I’ll be visiting California for the first time ever over Spring Break; we’re headed to watch the Braves crush the Dodgers! 

Can’t wait to get to know each of you!

Tammy Zundel- Social Worker

Hello, My name is Tammy Zundel. I am a school Social Worker and I am so excited to meet all of you at Canyon Crest Elementary School. I have heard so many great things about your school. I  am the mother of four children and my first grandbaby was born a few months ago. I adore being a grandma. I love to garden and love to try new and exciting things. I’ve been skydiving, several zipline runs, snorkeling, and many other adventures. I cannot wait to meet all of you soon.