How did Thriving Day come to be?
The journey for this school began when Ms. Stevie started elementary school and started disliking school.
Why should any young child dislike learning and school?
Education begins at home but teachers and school play a huge role in the foundation of our children. It's time that schools start to focus on the individual needs of our children and less on how children do on a standardized test.
Throughout Stevie's search to find an education style that ignites a child's natural curiosity she found Montessori. A unique style that meets the needs of the child through a custom curriculum that supports each child's independence, self-esteem, and confidence.
We invite you to schedule a tour and learn more about a school that aims to inspire children to thrive from the inside out and enjoy the learning journey.
A Little About Our Team
Mrs. Stevie Clark
AMS, M.Ed, B.S
Founder, Director, Lead Teacher (Fox Den Class)
Stevie grew up in Heber and Park City, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah in 2007 and shortly after she fell in love with the Montessori method. She believes it empowers both teachers and students to know what they stand for and claim their uniqueness. This is exactly the type of environment she wants to raise her own daughter in, and she knows that she's meant to share these gifts with a world full of children who are craving a learning environment just like this.
Mrs. Stevie earned her American Montessori Society credential in 2009 and her master’s degree in education in 2014 all while teaching (and learning) in a Montessori classroom. And now she has the honor of sharing these gifts with families in Wasatch County at Thriving Day Academy.
When she's not pouring her heart into the school, she enjoys skiing, running, hiking, camping, and anything outdoors with her family!
Mrs. Alicia Pratt
AMS Early Childhood
Lead Teacher (Owls Class)
Administrative Team
Mrs. Alicia was born and raised in Park City, Utah. After graduating from Park City High School, she moved to Truckee, CA, to live, play and enjoy beautiful Lake Tahoe. Within days of moving to Lake Tahoe, she met her husband Jeff and quickly settled into her new home away from home. They lived happily in Tahoe for ten years, spending as much time as possible skiing, biking, snowboarding, hiking, swimming, and welcoming their oldest son Finn into their family.
Next, they moved to Poulsbo, WA, where they spent countless hours wandering the shores of Hood Canal searching for crabs and oysters, hiking the rainforests of the Olympic Mountains, surfing the cold waters of Washington's Pacific Coast, and gardening in the fruitful PNW summers.
Soon enough, their second son Odin joined the family, and his endless humor and energy keep the whole family entertained.
Finally, after five beautiful years in the Pacific Northwest, they moved back to Heber City, Utah, for a welcome return to the mountains, Utah sunshine, and to be closer to their family.
Mrs. Alicia and her family stay active throughout the year in the Wasatch mountains. In the winter, you'll find the whole family skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. When they're not enjoying the snow, they'll be out exploring all the wonders of Utah with friends and family: camping, hiking, biking, swimming, and paddle boarding. Outside of adventuring, Mrs. Alicia loves yoga, gardening, baking, dinner parties with friends, and relaxing with her wonderful family.
Mrs. Alicia is currently training with the Center for Montessori Studies (GCMS) and can't wait to be a part of your child's educational journey.
Mrs. Jamie Harmon
Assistant Teacher (Owls Class)
Jamie grew up in Mapleton, UT and has always had a love for children and teaching! She graduated from Utah State University with a BS in Psychology and received her Teaching Certificate from Brigham Young University in Provo.
Jamie is an experienced heart-centered educator and possesses a unique ability to connect with children, building relationships of trust, helping children build their self- confidence, and gaining a love for learning!
Recently Jamie had her first book published, My Divine Identity; A Guided Journal For Girls, and also conducts workshops for moms and daughters based on the principles of her book.
When she is not in the classroom, Jamie loves spending time with her husband, four amazing kids and their Labradoodle Grizz. She enjoys hiking, chocolate, cozying up with a good book, writing, and kayaking. Jamie is also currently volunteering as a leader/mentor in a local young women’s organization.
Miss Breanne Hyde
Assistant Teacher (Owls Class)
Miss Anna Shepherd
Lead Teacher (Chickadees Class)
Mrs. Gretta Harris
Lead Teacher (Chickadees Class)
Mrs. Gretta grew up in Las Vegas, NV until the age of 8 and then moved to Spanish Fork, UT. Shortly after graduating high school, she moved to beautiful Park City to follow her love for snowboarding and being outdoors. In her 20s, she was lucky to have been able to travel to Brazil, Peru, and El Salvador, and she lived in Argentina and Hawaii for some time. Between traveling and starting college, she realized how much she loved to learn and explore the world and wondered why she hadn’t felt this way during her school-age years. After finishing a Business degree and starting her family, Mrs. Gretta realized she had an enduring passion for explorative and lifelong learning, and she wanted to serve as a guide in helping children discover this in themselves.
Miss Emily Cortopassi
Lead Toddler Teacher (Honeybee Class)
Administrative Team
Miss Emily was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Her family moved to Heber City in her junior year of high school and she instantly fell in love with the mountains and the people. Since her youth, Emily has been passionate about one thing: people. Thriving on connection and compassion, she knew whatever she did in life would have to include being surrounded by others and helping them however she could. Growing up with three younger siblings and babysitting often, she specifically grew fond of helping young children.
She found teaching in her college years and has felt "at home" since deciding on education as a career path. While attending school for her bachelor's in Elementary Education, Emily worked for Wasatch County School District at Timpanogos Middle School in the special needs classroom. Learning invaluable information and feeling excited about the future, she decided to join Thriving Day Academy to gain experience and knowledge in the early childhood education world and the Montessori method. Teaching fills her with energy and she can't imagine another path in life than helping children love to learn. She is now currently earning her Montessori certification for ages Newborn-3 years
Besides her passion for tiny humans, Emily enjoys reading, music, the outdoors, time with friends and family, organizing, traveling and baking!
Alli Klein
B.A Elementary Education with concentration in Mathematics, Utah Elementary Educator License
Assistant Teacher (Honeybees Class)
Alli and her husband, Jonathon are originally from Chicago. They met while Alli was pursuing her degree in elementary education. After graduating, Jonathon and Alli got married, and Alli started her career teaching eighth-grade mathematics and then fourth-grade general education in the same school district she went to as a child. Eventually, they wanted to experience living in a new place and moved to Los Angeles in 2015 for Jonathon’s journalism career.
While in Los Angeles, Alli continued her teaching career at a charter school and earned her teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification. Their careers were going well and they wanted to start a family. They tried on their own and eventually sought medical help, but all efforts were unsuccessful. Even though they were disappointed about not being able to have their biological children, they still wanted to grow their family. They had many family and friend connections with adoption and they always intended to adopt after having their biological children.
In 2017 they became foster parents. After caring for a few premie babies, they found their forever ones. A beautiful little girl (born May 2018) and one year later, her spunky younger brother (born July 2019). Soon after signing the adoption paperwork, they got another surprise, this time a biological baby boy was due to arrive in July 2020. With three little ones so close in age, they wanted to give their kids room to grow and be near family. Alli’s brother and his family had lived in Heber City for a few years and loved it, so Alli’s family followed them. They moved to Timber Lakes in 2021. Jonathon was able to work from home and Alli initially became a stay-at-home mom for Gigi, Milo, and Liam.
However, Alli missed teaching and being part of a team but wasn’t ready to be in the classroom full-time. She worked at the Boys and Girls Club during the 2022-2023 school year. It was a great opportunity, but it was too late at night for her little family. Alli’s nephews attended Thriving Day and suggested that she would be a great fit. She didn’t have much Montessori experience, but she was excited about learning something new. Thriving Day has become a great outlet for Alli’s passion, while still taking care of her young family's needs.
When Alli isn’t hanging with the adorable Honeybees, you can find her participating in numerous family activities around town, at a local park/lake, hiking, off-roading, thrifting, or eating out. She also enjoys relaxing at home with family movie nights, dance parties, watching F1, or having some quiet time in the tub.
Mrs. Sue Antolik
Administrative Team
Sue grew up and lived most of her life in Norristown, PA – (a suburb of Philadelphia). She is the middle child of three girls. Sue and her husband, Mark, moved to Midway in December 2021. Having skied the Park City Valley for decades; their two daughters were drawn to this beautiful area, as first one daughter then the other moved to Midway and Park City years ago. Now, being the proud grandparents of four awesome grandchildren (2 girls & 2 boys), and another grandson on the way; the time was right to make the move and reunite the family.
Sue always had a love of nurturing and sharing her knowledge. As a young mother, she attended classes to teach her two toddlers hands-on learning. There were many “homemade” teaching aids, of which some still exist to this day and are being used with her grandchildren. Sue was a volunteer at her daughters’ school as "room-mom", library aid, Girl Scout leader and also an assistant teacher at her parish church. Sue graduated Magna Cum Laude with an AAS Degree in Accounting, and also earned her Real Estate License in the state of Pennsylvania. Interacting with people
in real estate transactions, afforded her the skills of patience, compassion and empathy. Later Sue joined a Pharmaceutical Marketing Company where she went from an entry level Data Analyst to a Data Integrity Management position. Her analytical skills and love of sharing knowledge afforded her the opportunity to teach and train internal co-workers, as well as external clients. Sue always had an
open door policy to answer any and all clarifying follow-up questions.
Upon retiring and relocating to Midway, Sue is excited to share her knowledge and nurturing skills; first with her grandchildren, and now as a member of the Thriving Day Community. The Montessori approach is second nature to her.
We believe an independent child is a confident child. A child who is independent and confident is primed for academic success and a deep love of learning.
Independence
We practice skills from pouring, preparing snack, putting away belongings, dressing oneself, and learning how to be a cordial part of a community that respects all living things.
Confidence
An independent child naturally becomes confident. The Montessori philosophy is based on practice, using mistakes as learning opportunities, and routine and consistency (which we all thrive on) creating confidence from the inside out.
Love of Learning
A child who completes all three years of the Montessori Early Childhood program will leave ready for first grade feeling independent, full of confidence, and encompass foundation for a genuine love of learning .
Come and Join Us
If our school seems like a fit for your family, please don't hesitate to get on the waiting list. We would love to meet you.
