Johanna Isome
(Director)
Johanna Isome serves as the Director of New Life Christian Academy. She brings over 27 years of experience in preschool education and 17 years in elementary education. She holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and Curriculum Design and is certified in ESL, Gifted Education, Website Design, and as a Reading Specialist. She has served as Director of the Academy for the past two years.
Johanna believes a strong school must support both academic excellence and spiritual growth. She is committed to providing a Christ-centered environment for students from first grade through high school where they are known, challenged, and supported at every stage of development. Her background in curriculum design allows her to ensure instruction is thoughtful, structured, and responsive to student needs across all grade levels.
As a leader, Johanna values clear communication and partnership with families. She believes parents play a vital role in their child’s education and works to create a culture where families feel informed, respected, and involved. Her goal is for every student to grow in confidence, character, and academic ability while feeling safe and cared for each day. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside families during these formative years.
Lacey Park
(Finance/
Administrative Assistant)
Hello! My name is Lacey Park. My role here at New Life Christian Academy is Finance/Administrative Assistant. My favorite part of working in this position is working the numbers and parent communications. It has been a pleasure to get to know each family. My goal in taking the job is to help to continue to make the school a reality for years to come. My favorite part of spending time with the students is speaking into their lives. I look forward to greeting them in the mornings and sending them off in the afternoons. Their personalities and the quirky things they say, make my heart happy. My hope is for them to know how much they are loved and that they have been created with a purpose.
When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my adult children, reading a good book, I cherish quiet mornings with coffee, music blasting by the afternoon, camping, being in the mountains and spending time with my husband.
Chris Parag
(1st/2nd Grade Teacher)
I am so excited for this school year! The opportunity to spark a love for Jesus, friendship, and learning is what I am most passionate about cultivating in the classroom.
Over the past twenty years in children’s ministry, I have learned that children learn best when they are having fun. My goal is to create a warm, engaging classroom where every child feels loved, safe, and excited to come each day. I want our classroom to be a place filled with laughter, curiosity, kindness, and the joy of discovering new things together.
I have also had the incredible privilege of homeschooling my five children over the last five years. My heart’s deepest desire for them has always been that they would grow into men and women of character who love Jesus and love others well. That same heart is what I bring into the classroom this year. I will love, encourage, and cheer on your children as they learn and grow.
It is truly a privilege to partner with parents during such an important season in a child’s life. My hope is that your child’s first experiences in school are filled with wonder, joy, and a sense of being deeply known and loved, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Briana Dalton
(3rd/4th Grade Teacher)
New Life Christian Academy is unlike any other school I have been a part of. The opportunity to center our academics on Christ is my favorite aspect of our school community. Our small class sizes make intentional investment in each student both meaningful and effective.
Our unique school structure allows teachers to educate, lead, and guide students not only academically, but also spiritually, mentally, and physically through our diverse range of classes. My students especially value our close-knit classroom environment, where they can receive individualized, one-on-one support whenever it’s needed.
Sarah Faircloth
(5th/6th Grade Teacher)
I’m a wife, mother, and someone who is passionate about faith, family, and helping others. With a degree in behavioral health and a heart for serving, I love creating meaningful connections and encouraging people through life’s challenges. Whether I’m raising my children, pursuing new opportunities, or sharing about motherhood and faith, my goal is to live authentically and inspire others to do the same.
Paul Smith
(5th/6th Grade and History Teacher)
I am excited to serve as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at New Life Christian Academy. Having been involved with the school since its beginning, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue investing in students through Christian education.
I have a deep passion for history and is a firm believer that hands-on learning helps students engage more fully with the subject they’re learning. My goal is to develop not only strong students, but also responsible citizens grounded in biblical truth. For the past two years, I have volunteered alongside the staff teaching history, and having spent over ten years serving in the New Life children’s Ministry, continues to build meaningful relationships with many students and their families.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy traveling, photography, treasure hunting at thrift stores, and anything to do with baseball. My wife and I also serve as the leaders of the men’s and women’s ministries at New Life. I am also known as “Papa P”, and I look forward to helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally.
Mike Pregeant
(Science/Resource Teacher)
I am honored and bless to be a part of New Life Christian Academy in Tooele. My wife, Rhonda, and I have been married for 25 years. We are originally from Texas and relocated to Utah in 2020. We have two adult sons who still live in Texas.
I am a U.S. Army veteran and hold a certification as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic. Throughout my 42-year career, I have worked in aircraft maintenance, product development in the oil and gas industry, as well as robotics and miliary drone technologies.
I have served in youth ministry by teaching Sunday School and chaperoning youth events, activities, and mission trips. I especially enjoy those ‘Ah-Ha’ moments when students GET IT, and grasp a new concept and become excited about learning. Knowing that I have made a positive impact in a student’s life is incredibly rewarding.
I believe every child is created by God for a purpose and with a purpose. I look forward to helping each student grow academically, spiritually, and personally throughout the school year.