About Us

John, originally from Lowell, Mass., is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Lowell, with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature. He has worked for over 30 years in the Food Service industry, retiring as an Executive Chef. He also worked for ten years in in the Financial Services industry. He has served in various volunteer leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Muriel was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. She served a proselyting and welfare services mission to the Philippines. She received her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix and worked in several medical practices for over twenty years. She has also served in several volunteer leadership positions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints most recently as the Stake Relief Society president where she worked with numerous immigrants and language learners from many countries.

John and Muriel have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of two children, adopted from Kazakhstan in 2002.

Linda Gaisford is from Orem, Utah.  She and her husband, Ken, live in West Jordan, Utah.  They have six children, 23 grandchildren, and nearly ten great-grandchildren. She taught school both in Utah and in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

They have been teaching English in one capacity or another for the last seven years.  She loves the students and loves helping them learn to read, write, and speak English as they work to further accomplish their goals.

Kathy Baumann received her Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in Elementary Education and taught in public elementary schools for 20 years. She has had experience teaching ESL in public schools and was a missionary for two years in the Pathway Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kathy has had experience teaching ESL students while in the public schools. She taught in the Granite School District for five years before leaving to be at home with her children. She is the mother of five grown children and grandmother to fourteen grandchildren. She loves teaching and loves the students and staff she has been able to work with at Columbus.

Evelyn had been an educator for 42 years before her retirement when she started working with Columbus Adult Education Center. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of Utah and Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Brigham Young University. She taught English in a number of different countries and speaks Mandarin Chinese. It is her honor to currently serve as the South Salt Lake CAEC registrar.