We are a school built on a foundation that seeks to teach the whole child, nurturing the spiritual and emotional, as well as the academic, while recognizing different learning styles, talents, gifts, and abilities.

School Lunch

Gradelink

Staff

In an environment where student-teacher relationships are important, we are family here at David O. McKay Academy. Our teachers strive to understand the needs of each student individually and help them achieve their potential academically and spiritually.

Stephen Wood

Head of School

Steve was born in Berkeley, California and moved to Las Vegas during high school. He graduated from Valley High School and enrolled at BYU before serving in the Uruguay-Paraguay Portuguese Mission.

Marbara Payne

Office Manager

A former BYU Cougar, Marbara has been in Education for 21 years. She has worked worked in special education in Utah, taught first and second grade in Las Vegas, and was most recently an office manager at Nevada Virtual Academy before coming to work as the Office Manager of David O McKay Academy.

Dan Pelton

Security and Maintenance

Dan’s background is in the field of security and maintenance with over 12 years experience. He has also taught students in a charter school, and held positions in the church teaching the youth. He enjoys being around kids and feels so blessed to have this opportunity to interact with our students and keep them safe within David O. McKay Academy.

Kelly Miller

Kindergarten (Green Valley)

With ten years experience of teaching preschool through first grade in private schools, she can now say she teaches at an LDS based school that teaches the Savior's way. What an opportunity! And every teacher has a story
about being led to the academy as well. What unity! Sister Miller is currently working on a Masters in early childhood education at UNLV and her goal is to write songs and poems for her Kindergarten.

JulieAnn Pelton

Speech and Special Ed. Services

A former BYU Cougar, Marbara has been in Education for 21 years. She has worked worked in special education in Utah, taught first and second grade in Las Vegas, and was most recently an office manager at Nevada Virtual Academy before coming to work as the Office Manager of David O McKay Academy.

Krystal Whipple

Social Work

JulieAnn’s passion is making a difference in the lives of those children within Special Education. Each child brings happiness and light to my life! Pres. Eyring shares: "You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify
becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands."

Leah Tippetts

Grades 1-3 (Green Valley)

Sister Tippetts served a mission in the South Africa Cape Town Mission
from 2003-2005. She graduated from Southern Utah University in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Reading Instruction in 2007. Since then she has taught in both Utah and Nevada public schools. She has many hobbies including quilting, singing, writing, and spending time with loved ones. The most important achievement in Leah's life is being a wife and a mother to her beautiful family.

Howard Garrard

Grades 4-6

Brother Garrard has an Associate of Arts degree from Ricks College, a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University, a Masters of Educa-tion from Lesley University (Curriculum & Instruction) and a second Masters of Education from UNLV (Educational Leadership).

David L. Drysdale

Grades 7-8

A graduate of Brigham Young University, he earned a BA in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications and a BA in Portuguese. He also completed his MA in Teaching from Sierra Nevada College. He has been teaching in Las Vegas for just over 10 years.

Michael E. Talbot

History

Brother Talbot served an LDS Mission in Colombia, South America, from 1972-1974. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Utah in 1976. In 1980, Brother Talbot obtained a Law Degree from the Seattle University Law School. For the past 35 years, Brother Talbot has engaged in private law practice, the last 10 years of which was with a national law firm with offices in 40 cities and 26 states, specializing in civil litigation (insurance defense).

Amandalynn Lemon

Mathematics

Amandalynn received her associates at Ricks College. Took two years off, got married. Then Ricks college was turned into a 4-year school and renamed BYU-Idaho they decided to move back to Rexburg, Idaho where she got her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Minors in Mathematics.

Lori Jayme

Computers and Technology

Sister Jayme was born and raised in Las Vegas. She attended BYU-Idaho for her B.S. in Elementary Education. She has six years experience teaching com-puters; most recently at Desert Torah Academy. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, couponing, doing puzzles and building Legos.

Giovanna Raccosta

Art

Sister Raccosta is an acclaimed portrait artist. Born and raised in Italy; her passion for art has deep roots in her childhood. Since a young girl, Giovanna loved to travel throughout Italy to study the masters of the Renaissance. At age 9, she was already competing in the town’s art shows. At age 15, she left the comforts of her home to attend the prestigious Art School of Palermo

Susan Harris

Band and Orchestrav

Susan Harris is a 1998 graduate of Southern Utah University where she earned a B.A. in viola performance and also completed a K-12 music teaching endorsement. She has taught in the public school system and maintains a studio of private string and piano students.

Annie Tintle

Drama and English

Annie Valentine Tintle is our resident Drama-mama. She moved here with her family from Germany in 2014. Annie graduated from Brigham Young University in journalism and has taught musical theater for 15 years. As a writer, Annie has been published internationally in newspapers and major parenting blogs.

Jacquelyn Holt

Physical Education

Sister Holt is a lover of all things sports. Maybe more importantly she is passionate about family and the gospel. After serving a mission in Tokyo Japan, she graduated with a bachelor's in Physical Education and Health.

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We commit to providing a challenging, engaging, and varied curriculum program that meets rigorous national standards, prepares students for higher education, and opens doors to lifelong success. We will provide the best tools, staff, and service possible to assist you in your family’s educational goals.