Lois Nielsen graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS degree in Family and Consumer Science and recently finished a MEd in Career and Technical Education from Utah State University. Her masters degree included an internship at Hale Centre Theatre in costume design and construction where she was excited to sew on some of the costumes including the coat worn by Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Sewing has been part of her life including competitions in the Make It Yourself with Wool contest and 4-H where she represented her county in clothing construction twice at the state level. Lois met her husband at BYU and they are the parents of four beautiful daughters and five wonderful grandchildren. She began a neighborhood 4-H sewing club where blue ribbons were common. Her daughters won many awards including county grand champions and state best of show ribbons. Lois is devoted to her family and their time together from band-aids to birthday cakes and swimming to sleepovers where many memories have been and continue to be made and cherished. Lois also likes to garden, read, cook, travel, and have date night at the movies with her husband. She comes from a family of educators including both grandmothers, three uncles, two brothers, and her dad (who was also her high school principal). From an early age Lois also knew she wanted to be a teacher and has taught Adult Roles and Financial Literacy, Foods I & II, Apparel, Design, and Construction I & II, Interior Design, and Fashion Design Studio in high school. This is her 20th year at WJHS where she continues to love the students and the cultural connection there. With experience as a state Sterling Scholar judge, Lois is excited to build this program and continue to foster the reputation of excellence at West Jordan High School.
Natalie Nielsen graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Modern Dance, a BA in English Teaching and a Major Equivalency in History Teaching, a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate, and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. During her years at the University of Utah, Natalie was a member of Utah's Performing Dance Company, the National Dean's List, and became a published poet. Upon graduation, Natalie fulfilled her lifelong dream to become a teacher. She began working at the middle school level for seven years, then jumped to the high school level where she has enjoyed teaching a multitude of subjects including Language Arts, Reading, U.S. History, World History, Sports Psychology, AP Psychology, and General Psychology. Natalie's passion, however, is dance and for the past seven years she has enjoyed directing West Jordan's Dance Company and instructing the dance classes at the school. In the past seven years directing West Jordan's Dance Company, Natalie has helped five dancers make it to the semifinal round of the Sterling Scholar competition, and two make it to the final round. Natalie is very excited to work with the Sterling Scholars this year and looks forward to seeing West Jordan continue to build a reputation of academic and performing excellence.