FACULTY & STAFF
“Providing an environment that students, teachers, and parents can’t wait to return has been a key goal since the inception of Journey. Children are more receptive and motivated when they feel safe, loved, and excited to come to school. Journey is just that place. It has been an honor to work with every single child since the first year we started Journey. I feel truly blessed as each child, parent, and teacher has stepped through these doors. Journey is an amazing place to learn!”
Cindy Jensen is a native Nevadan from Las Vegas and a graduate of UNLV in Elementary Education with an emphasis in math. She has taught the full spectrum of education from public school, private school, and a few years homeschooling her own children. In 2009 Mrs. Jensen, with her sister-in-law Becky, founded Journey Education based on the principles of individualized education, strong leadership and values. Mrs. Jensen has been married 29 years and is the mother of 4 children.
“I have the privilege of working with an amazing, motivated professional team of teachers, staff, students and parents. At Journey Education, teachers and staff have a passion and love for teaching and working with each student. It’s an honor to connect with and reach the young minds of the future. Journey Education believes in supporting students as individual learners and encourages them to utilize their unique strengths and passions as tools in their academic growth. We believe that every child learns in different ways and at different speeds. Every single student receives an individualized education. Students excel when provided with this type of environment. At Journey Education, we believe in the future….we believe in our kids!”
Dr. Taggart was raised in Southern California. She earned her BA at Brigham Young University and her masters and doctorate degrees from Nova Southeastern University. After spending 31 years in education, Dr. Taggart knows children and how to best serve them. Dr. Taggart is a woman of many talents. She is a professional singer and has had many adventures including the opportunity to perform with many celebrities, including Elvis, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Julie Andews, and Tennessee Ernie Ford to name a few.
“Individualized learning lets every child feel both challenged and successful. I love the character values that are taught daily and are incorporated in every facet of the school. These values help each student realize that they can be a leader at school, home and in the community. Our school truly teaches its students that their Journey through life can be filled with a love of learning, love of their family and a love for our nation.”
Mrs. Jensen has always loved teaching and often corralled her five younger brothers and sisters into playing “school.” She was lucky enough to grow up in the big sky country of Montana on a cattle ranch where she helped raise not only cows, but chickens, ducks, pigs, horses and her siblings. After graduating from high school she attended Brigham Young University, where she studied elementary education. She met her husband at BYU and later settled in Las Vegas. In 2009 she and her sister-in-law established Journey Education where four of her five children have had the opportunity to attend.
“ I love being part of this amazing school. I strive to do my best to serve the students & families at Journey. My favorite thing about working here is getting to know the children & being a part of their important Journey!”
Mrs. Turek has many years of administrative experience including working as a CCSD office administrator, manager of therapy offices, and working for a CPA firm. She has lived all over the world as a military kid but landed in Las Vegas where she graduated from Western High School. Mrs. Turek has been married 30 years and has three wonderful children and three EXTRA wonderful grandchildren! Some of her favorite things to do are to read historical fiction and planning her next family get together!
“l Iove that I can teach in a way that I believe in and know would be best for my students. I feel great coming to work knowing that Journey students are getting the best education every day!”
Teaching has been Mrs. Rowe’s passion for 25 years. A graduate of Idaho State University, Mrs. Rowe loves teaching all grades but feels most at home with the younger students. Mrs. Rowe enjoys spending her spare time traveling, reading and spending time in the mountains especially when she is with her husband, four children, and nine beautiful grandchildren.
“I feel blessed to be a part of Journey Education where it is a safe and happy environment. Classes are structured to meet the needs of every student, giving them the opportunity to grow and learn to the best of their abilities.”
Mrs. Lance was born and raised in Hutchinson, Minnesota on a farm where she was one of eight children. Mrs. Lance received her teaching degree from St. Cloud State college in Minnesota and began teaching there. She later moved to Las Vegas where she met her husband. She has two children and loves hiking, reading, crocheting, and knitting.
“My favorite thing about teaching is those Aha moments where the lightbulb turns on and is shining bright. It is a tickle to my heart! The bonus is being a part of a wonderful team of teachers, administrators, and all of the Journey Education Family.”
Mrs. Howard grew up in Arizona, and married her High School sweetheart, and is the mother of 4 children. In her spare time, she loves to go Jeeping and motorcycle riding with her husband. She attended Arizona Western College and is a graduate of Arizona Computer Institute. She has been in Education for 15 years including teaching Special Education as an Intervention Specialist and team-teaching a Blended Learning 4th/5th Combo class for CCSD.
“I love that Journey truly individualizes every child’s education. This support helps them on their journey to being the best they can be.”
Mrs. Blackwell is the mother of 5 children and Las Vegas native. She has been an educator for the past 18 years, including 5 years of homeschooling her own children. As a former dancer, Mrs. Blackwell loves to incorporate movement and music in her classroom. Her organization talent not only helps her classroom run smoothly, but has been an advantage to keeping the entire school beautiful.
“Every student has a different story and different needs. Being a Journey teacher offers me the opportunity to grow by meeting their individualized needs. With its unique and structured program, Journey provides an environment students flourish in. This school is my home away from home; warm and welcoming, like all the faculty and staff. I am happy and honored to be a part of it all!”
Ms. Webb grew up in sunny Southern California. She earned her teaching degree from CSUDH before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a wife and mother to a one-year-old, future Journey student. Because of her love for animals, she has been a vegetarian for over twelve years. Ms. Webb enjoys cooking healthy dishes, cuddling with her two cats, and listening to classic rock music.
“The administration at Journey Education is dedicated to the individual’s experience. This means they are concerned with every student’s academic and emotional growth, and with every staff member’s happiness and well-being. Each child and adult feels a sense of ownership and of belonging here at Journey. Each day when we enter the school, we feel as if we are at home.”
Mrs. Swallie has traveled the world living in Nevada, Utah, Illinois, Montana, Germany, Austria, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates. Although born in Utah, Mrs. Swallie spent most of her childhood and part of high school in Germany. She studied abroad at Karl Franzens Universität in Austria, and then finished her education at the University of Utah. Mrs. Swallie’s has taught in different capacities for over 20 years.
Teaching at Journey allows me to inspire, teach, and lead my students. As US President John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Mr. Bryant is a retired United States Marine who has served his country throughout the world for over 16 years. While serving in the Marines, Mr. Bryant found his passion teaching fellow Marines in different areas for over 10 years. Upon retiring, Mr. Bryant finished his teaching degree at the University of Phoenix in 2015. Mr. Bryant has been an elementary school teacher for the past four years.
“I am happy to be with the Journey family and to be a part of the Senior Grammar team! I am inspired every day by the incredible students that I teach.”
Mrs. Leake earned her degree at the University of Georgia in 2004 and has been teaching for the past fifteen years. She moved from Georgia to Las Vegas to be closer to family. Mrs. Leake has experience working with all age students from elementary to high school. She has spent years tutoring in the subjects of math, writing, and reading. She has a deep passion for teaching and looks forward to school with her students each day.
“I loved Journey from the moment I stepped in the door. I love the mix of different ages and abilities. Children learn to help and love each other in a very supportive environment. It’s like a small town where everyone knows and watches out for each other. This connectedness makes for a safe, effective learning environment. We are on this Journey together.”
Anne Gifford-Hains is originally from Spokane, Washington and attended High School in Bountiful, Utah. Mrs. Hains earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Western Kentucky University and her Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University in Boston. She was the music teacher at Pittman Elementary for 29 years and now joins the Journey team to teach her second love, Science. She and her husband have seven children and twenty-one grandchildren.
“Journey Education is a warm, welcoming environment where students come first. I truly enjoy teaching Algebra to my Journey Education students. I know it is making a difference in their lives.”
Mr. Kenyon comes to Journey Education from UNLV and the College of Education where he served as University Faculty. Mr. Kenyon has been teaching Algebra for 25 years at the Junior High, High School, and university levels. He completed his Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University, Masters from Loyola, and Doctorate from Florida State University.
“I love Journey simply for their welcoming smiles, and their desire to treat everyone fairly by expressing the importance and value of diversity.”
Tracyan Martin, Atlanta native, POP & Piano creator, and professional multi-instrumentalist. She has toured nationally and internationally with a myriad of artists including; Oprah, Musiq Soulchild, Ceelo, and Fantasia to name a few. She has also served as Music Director for Melanie Fiona and Janelle Monáe. Some featured performances include, The 61st GRAMMY Awards, Good Morning America, The Voice, and now performing with Cirque Du Soleil’s newest show on the strip, MAD APPLE. Tracyan has gained acclaim as a trusted industry hand with a “can-do” attitude, and her passion for excellence. While building a sustainable career, she continues to dedicate her time and love for the arts by pouring back into the lives of at-risk and underserved youth in our community.
“I have worked in other schools and spent a mass amount of time with children and staff. Being buzzed through the front doors of Journey Education school was a breath of fresh air. They have new, fresh ideas and new ways of growing with the staff and children, not to mention a very nice staff.”
Originally from Cuba, Miss. Blanco has lived in Las Vegas for the past fifty years. She is the mother of four children, who she homeschooled. Miss Blanco has been a teacher’s aide for the CCSD where students instantly fell in love with her understanding ways and her youthfulness. Engaging in sports, Miss.Blanco loves being hands on with all the students. Working with the children, is the most important and exciting things she can accomplish as a teacher’s aide.
“Journey is like a second home for everyone who walks into those doors. The first day I walked through them I instantly knew I belonged here and was so excited to start a new journey.”
Ms. Mariana was born and raised in Arizona but moved to Las Vegas when she was 6 years old. She graduated from the T.E.A.C.H program at Ed. W. Clark High School. She is now attending College of Southern Nevada to earn a degree in education. She has been working around kids since the age of14 where she got her first job as an aide at her elementary school and worked there until her junior year of high school. She loves making connections with the kids here at Journey. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with family and friends.
“I enjoy working in the education field with children, it’s a calling for me. Journey Education is an amazing place to be. I love the opportunity to be here and to serve the kiddos that attend the school as well as their families.”
Mrs. Luege-Long was born in Havana, Cuba, but grew up in Venezuela. She enjoys reading and sports, as well as expanding her horizons by learning new skill sets and growing professionally. Mrs. Long’s professional background includes broadcasting, finance, and legal. Despite these professions, she has found her calling working with children for the past 5 years.