Admin

Superintendent – Kim Goates

Kim Goates is originally from Brisbane, Australia, though she has now spent more than half her life in the US. Kim started educating her own children at home more than 30 years ago and has owned and run several businesses during that time. She has a tremendous love of and passion for learning and teaching. This love and passion, joined with her entrepreneurial spirit, led her to take the reins in February 2016 of Canyon Grove Academy, and create one of the most unique schools in the state.

Immersed is the best way to describe Kim’s search for a better education model for student, parents, and, ultimately, schools. With her experience as a homeschool mom, she took the deep dive into creating, designing, implementing, and now maintaining systems that bridge the gap between homeschooling families and charter schools through a hybrid distance effort. Students thrive and parents love that their voices are heard at Canyon Grove due in large part to Kim’s efforts.

Mrs. Goates has a contagious passion, love, and enthusiasm for life, her family, and learning. She embodies Mark Twain’s famous quip about not letting school get in the way of him learning. While Kim appreciates there are laws and rules governing education, her efforts clearly point to a focus on individualizing learning for each student. When she is not at work refining Canyon Grove’s efforts with her team, she can be found working on the farm at the school, tending to the animals and plants. When the rare moment finds her not at the school, she can be found enjoying her great family, playing the piano, and looking for ways to do more to get access to learning opportunities for kids and their families.

Kim.Goates@CanyonGrove.com

Director- Becky Pili

Graduating from Brigham Young University in 1993, Becky has worked in the field of education for nearly 30 years. For 21 years, she taught numerous grade levels in both the elementary and secondary systems of the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked for several years in the Provo School District and joined the administrative team of Canyon Grove Academy in 2017. Becky is passionate about the field of education and has served on district multicultural education committees and data review boards as well as mentored teachers, student teachers, and staff as they began their journey in education. She has a firm belief that “It takes a village to raise a child” and has used this African proverb as the theme of her career. She loves to facilitate learning for her teachers, students and families and knows that together we achieve more than we will ever achieve apart. Becky believes that lifelong learning is modelled for students by her own desires to grow throughout her career, and she approaches each day with positivity and excitement for education. She loves to facilitate collaborative learning and allows that passion of working as a “village” to drive her career as well as her student’s educational journeys.

On a personal note, Becky and her husband have 8 beautiful children and in laws and 3 amazing grandbabies (so far)! Their mantra is faith, family, football and fishing and any free time can find them in one of those places. They are a football family as their sons currently play for her alma mater….Go Cougs!! Polynesian culture binds their family with strength and love, making every day a celebration of life!

Becky.Pili@canyongrove.com

Assistant Director- Debbie Cluff

Debbie is passionate about helping youth make the most of their potential. She is an educator, author, entrepreneur, wife and mother. Debbie has written books, hosted talk radio shows, coached high school cheerleading, been a successful blogger, and designed and built her own websites. She’s spent more than fifteen years teaching and coaching young minds and is excited to work with your student.

Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Debbie graduated from California State University Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a master’s in Elementary Education. Her favorite thing to do is sit at the pool and drink a Diet Coke.

Debbie.Cluff@canyongrove.com

Special Education Director – Sheri Berard

Sheri has a deep love and passion for her students, and believes strongly in creating a safe learning environment for all students. She grew up in Southern California and has been in Utah since summer of 2006. She has a dual license in both elementary education and special education. Sheri received her masters degree in education with an emphasis on trauma and resilience in June of 2021. When she is not working she is with her husband and two boys (who are now all grown), her cats, and bunny. She loves reading and watching crime drama books and shows.

Sheri.Berard@canyongrove.com

Operations Manager – Jason Goates

Jason has spent the last 15+ years gaining experience in operations, business development, relationship management, and marketing while helping local businesses expand and grow. He has built a reputation on the planning and execution of big ideas, and has always been drawn to groups and projects that provide opportunities to build community and to be part of something bigger.

Born in Salt Lake City, Jason moved to American Fork around 2013 and has loved the area ever since. When not working he can be found headed down a remote dusty desert road, camping with his wife and 3 daughters, or relaxing in the backyard.

Jason.Goates@canyongrove.com