Our Faculty

Our staff is selected not only for their educational background and work experience in the field of early childhood development, but also for their personal qualities such as warmth, empathy, and the ability to relate positively to others.

Our preschool teachers have at minimum an Associate’s Degree in a child-related field. At present, 99% of all staff have at least a Bachelor’s Degree with some holding their Master’s as well. Teachers are responsible for curriculum planning, instruction, guidance, and monitoring the progress of students.

All staff receive on-going training in the areas of child development and developmentally appropriate practices through conferences, outside agencies, and staff meetings.

Our Administration

Our Teachers

Caitlin Collins ~ 2-3 year olds, 3-4 year olds, Yoga and Music & Movement

I started as a teacher's aide at Hilltop Christian School in 2013 and have been a teacher here since 2014. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and spent most of my free time there volunteering in different programs for children. During and immediately after college, I had the privilege to work with young children from many different backgrounds and some with special needs. I am also a certified yoga instructor. When I’m not at Hilltop, I enjoy hiking, singing, and curling up with a good book.

Lisa Pope ~ 3-4 year olds, Art History

I am one of four sisters, originally from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in northern England. After qualifying as a teacher many years ago, I taught 4th and 5th grade near London. Since then, my husband, Alasdaire, has been employed by an international mining company which has sent us to different wonderful locations around the world.

We lived in Newfoundland, Canada for a little over a year; Chile for 7 years, where our children Eleanor and Patrick were born; 3 years in Guadalajara, Mexico, where I began my career in Early Childhood Education; and over 5 years in Tucson, Arizona, where our youngest son Jonathan was born.

We moved to Sandy in 2007 and I hope we’ll stay!

In my spare time I like to read and relax, listen to music, walk our dog Max, and I have always been a keen ornithologist. Most of all I love to spend time with my two young grandsons, Philip and Miles.

I have been teaching at Hilltop since 2010 and I am extremely happy to be here.

Jennifer Willie ~ 3-4 year olds

I am so excited to be joining the Hilltop team this year! I have my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Utah in elementary education and curriculum design. I have taught first and third grades, and worked at the U as a supervisor for student teachers. 

My husband, Don, and I are the proud parents of four kids. We love to travel, cook and explore national parks together. I can’t wait to spend the school year with you and your student! 

Elisabeth Osborne ~ 4-5 year olds, Intro to Spanish

I’m so excited to be joining the Hilltop team this year!  My daughter attended Hilltop in 2019 and now my son will be coming this fall for Pre-K.

I was born and have spent the majority of my life in Sweet Home Alabama (Birmingham and Huntsville). My husband, Jonathan, and our 3 kids (Caroline- 10, Abigail-8, and Samuel- 4) lived in Utah from 2019-2021 before returning to Alabama for work and family.  By God’s direction and grace, we have now returned to the beautiful mountains and are so thrilled to be back!  We have fallen in love with camping, hiking, and skiing in this great state! 

I received my Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Samford University in Birmingham, AL in 2007. I have taught first grade, preschool, and dance classes during my career as a teacher, and I can say that 4 year olds are my favorite! 

Besides adventuring outdoors, my family and I love to watch Alabama football in the fall (Roll Tide!), serve at our church, have backyard cookouts, play Nintendo together, and eat Haribo gummy bears on road trips! I can’t wait to get to know your precious children this year!

Lezlie Hargrave ~ 4-5 year olds

Hello everyone! My name is Lezlie Hargrave, and I am teaching Monday – Thursday Kindergarten Readiness for the 2024-2025 school year, I could not be more excited! I am currently a student at Utah Valley University studying Elementary Education.

Teaching is truly a passion for me. I taught Pre – Kindergarten at a private Christian school for 7 years; it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. My favorite thing about teaching is building relationships with my students and their families. I also love to see the spark in a student’s eye when they have mastered a new skill.

I look forward to meeting your family!

Deborah Anderson ~ Kindergarten/First Grade

Hi, my name is Deborah Anderson; I have taught the kindergarten class at Hilltop since 2011. Children have such a love for learning, and I love making learning fun for them. For as long as I can remember my answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was always “a teacher”.  I have been working with children for 30+ years now.  I started in an infant room in California right out of high school, moved to a Pre-K classroom and then when my husband and I moved to Arizona, I oversaw an after-school program as I attended The University of Arizona to obtain my bachelor’s degree in education. My husband had a great job opportunity with Northwest Airlines (now Delta), so we left behind family and friends and moved to Minnesota. It was a far cry from “Sunny California” or the “Hot Desert” of Arizona. There I taught in a private school for 12 years. I worked as a Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade teacher, summer camp teacher and summer camp director. I have also worked in administration, where I learned new aspects of school dynamics.  With the closing of the school, our family found ourselves moving closer to family. Delta Airlines had an opening for my husband here in Salt Lake City, so we moved here during the summer of 2011.  My husband, our son Jack, and our dog Rogal love our life here in Utah and our families love the one-day drive to visit from California, Arizona, Idaho, or Colorado.

YenHsin Lee ~ 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

Hi, my name is YenHsin Lee. I am passionate about education and the power of language. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting with a minor in Teaching. My journey in education has led me to embrace teaching as a way of life, striving to make learning enjoyable and impactful for students.

My professional experience started in 2016 when I started teaching middle school students at a learning center. Since then, I’ve taken on various roles, including tutoring and teaching in the 4th-grade Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. I have also extended my teaching to online platforms, connecting with students across different age groups and backgrounds.

Outside the classroom, I am passionate about skiing, hiking and exploring diverse cuisine. These experiences inspire me and enrich my teaching, fostering a love for learning and diversity in my students.

Currently, I am a 2nd and 3rd-grade teacher at Hilltop Christian School, where I continue to pursue my passion for education. I ensure that students learn in a safe and enjoyable environment. I love teaching at Hilltop!