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Academics - Certified Teachers
Name: Ashley Riddle Position: Teacher - English Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to participate in such things as 4-H, American Legion Auxiliary, and Girls State. These opportunities helped to shape me into the adult that I am today. I am still involved in the American Legion Auxiliary and just finished my 5th year as a counselor at Girls State. My spare time is spent with my family, 4-wheelers, fishing with my dad, reading, sewing, and spending quality time with my pug, Nazhonie. As for teaching, I am committed to helping each student entering my class to achieve everything that they are capable of. I know that this is different for each student and it has been a learning experience for me to look for new and different ways to teach something that I was taught through lecture and notes. Comments on DRA: Being able to work at DRA has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a person. I know that I am the one who supposed to be instructing the young people, but they have had a huge impact on me and how I live my life. One of the greatest rewards I have is watching the writing of the students change and evolve as they grow into young adults that are ready to face the world with new found self-esteem and courage. 
Name: Doug Heideman Position: Teacher - History Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I grew up in Southern Utah and married my college sweetheart. We have been married for 33 years and I am the proud father of three successful sons and a beautiful daughter. Our oldest son is a graduate of law school; the second one has just completed dental school, and the third son graduated from college, and is preparing to go on to the medical school. Our daughter is attending college next year and plans to be a dental hygienist. Comments on DRA: I firmly believe that I am a teacher who is dedicated to the success of my students and that I don't just teach a subject, but that I teach young people skills that they will need to succeed when they are adults. Education is a life long process and helping a student learn how to learn is something I work toward. Diamond Ranch Academy is an excellent place to help young people reach within themselves and develop the skills necessary for them to succeed in today's ever changing and challenging world. 
Name: Gary Ferguson Position: Teacher - Vocational Education Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: Born and raised in northern Utah, raising and training horses, camping, dutch oven cooking, skiing, scouting. My personal philosophy is helping youth discover their talents and interests, then exposing them to careers were they can use these skills to enjoy working the rest of their lives. Comments on DRA: For the past 35 years, I have dedicated my life to the betterment of youth through volunteer and professional work. Working at DRA allows me to continue mu lifes persuit of exposing youth to a better way of life through increasing their self-esteem, confidence, skills and talents. 
Name: Geoff Wilson Position: Teacher - History Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I'm originally from San Diego. I lived there the first 18 years of my life. During High School I spent most of my time playing three different sports. After High School, I moved to Cedar City, Utah to attend Southern Utah University. While there, I played one year of Baseball. It was also at SUU, that I joined Sigma Nu International Fraternity. The fraternity helped teach me what it meant to be part of a team, and that hard work can be very rewarding (Sigma Nu hosts the largest Easter Egg Hunt in Utah, and the third best Haunted House). It was also at SUU that I met my wife. We've been married for 6 years now. We have two beautiful children. They are the love of my life. Comments on DRA: I've been very blessed to be employed by Diamond Ranch. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity for my first teaching job. The atmosphere here is amazing. Every employee is excited to be here and they all genuinely care for the youth. I enjoy the fact that the youth are not only nurtured emotionally and socially, they are kept healthy by a strict diet and rigorous recreational time (running miles, hiking etc…). In society, accountability is a growing term. At DRA, students are held accountable for their schooling and behavior. This was the part of DRA that attracted me to this school. I've enjoyed working with the youth here. I feel that every student brings something unique to this school. Discovering these talents and skills is my reward. I want to thank DRA for giving me this opportunity. 
Name: Jodie M. Frandsen Position: Teacher - Science Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: I enjoy working with youth. I have couched youth basketball for four years and have worked with residential treatment youth for about seven years. I enjoy learning and hope to instill in youth a life long desire to learn. I like hands on learning and try to incorporate as many activities as possible. I think that physical fitness is important and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, wakeboarding, and running. Comments on DRA: I enjoy working at Diamond Ranch Academy. I feel that the administration and staff really do care about the youth and have a desire to heal and help families. I am grateful to be part of this process and to watch youth develop into respectful and productive young adults. 
Name: Steve Force Position: Teacher - Science Education:
Professional Work Experience:
Interests: My hobbies include a rock shop, sports, and my family. I am a master gardener and an herbalist. Comments on DRA: DRA is a great place to work with the great youth we have here. I like to do experiential "hands on" activities. We have planted a garden, and thinned, picked, and bottled fruit. We have shot off rockets, made taffy candy, carved sandstone art, and several more projects. Working with our youth is the best job on earth. I should pay to have so much fun. Professional Certified TeachersWarning: opendir(inc/staff/03-Academics) [function.opendir]: failed to open dir: Invalid argument in C:\htdocs\strugglingTeens.us\teachers.php on line 23 Warning: readdir(): supplied argument is not a valid Directory resource in C:\htdocs\strugglingTeens.us\teachers.php on line 24
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