Fred Falcon (A-Cl)
Years in Education: I am currently entering my 20th year in education all at Kearns High School. Before joining the counseling department I taught ESL for 8 years. I have also been the head wrestling coach for 16 years. Educational Background: Bachelor's of Arts in Oral Communication from the University of Utah; Bachelor's of Arts in Secondary Education from Weber State University; Master of Arts in Guidance Counseling from the University of Phoenix. Hobbies/Interests: Running/exercising, reading, and spending time with my family. Specialized Counseling Assignments: NCAA, ACT Junior Testing, Department Head Interesting Fact(s): I was the head Wrestling Coach at Kearns High School for 10 years and Kearns Junior High School for 2 years. I returned as head coach at Kearns High during the 2012-2013 season. I have also run 28 marathons in 8 different states with the goal of running one in all 50 as well as running all of the Utah marathons. Anything Else to Add: "There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed in as many as six impossible things before breakfast." -Lewis Carroll |
Cheri Jacobson (Co-Go)
**yo hablo español Years in education: I am forever learning! I do love to learn! I have been in the profession of education for 21 years. I was an assistant in a Special Ed. Class for 7 years. I worked as a counselor for the McKinney-Vento program for 13 years. I have met some amazing students in my years as a professional educator. It is an honor to work with the youth. They always seem to teach me so much! Like I said, “Forever Learning. “ Educational background: I earned both my bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Utah State University. Go Aggies!!!! Hobbies/Interests: I love to read and spend time in the mountains. I also love spending time with family and friends. Special counseling assignments: Sophomore Breakouts, ACT Assistant Coordinator, College Tour. Interesting fact: I love horses and would love to one day live on a ranch with a horse or two. I love to laugh! It does my soul good :) |
email: bdbarnum@graniteschools.org
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Brian Barnum (Gr-Li)
Years in Education I have been in education since 2013. I started off as a Student to Student mentor while I was at Weber State University. From there I became a Special Education Aide for a 5th and 6th grade class. Then in 2017 I started my job as a school counselor. Educational Background Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Weber State University, Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, and a Certificate for Positive Psychology from Salt Lake Community College. Hobbies and Interests I like to spend most of my spare time hanging out at home watching TV, movies or playing video games. I love to work on diamond paintings, playing the flute or just being able to relax. Special Counselor Assignment Junior Breakouts Scholarships & FAFSA AP Testing Interesting Fact(s) From the time I was 6 till I turned 14 I lived on a small military base in Germany. While there I had the opportunity to travel to 7 other European countries. |
Keleni Mateaki (Lo-Or)
Years in Education: This is my first official year as a school counselor. I Previously completed my internship at Glendale Middle School and Horizonte High School with the Salt Lake City School District. I also completed my practicum at Escalante Elementary which were all great and valuable experiences. Educational Background: I recently completed my Master’s Degree in School Counseling with Capella University and previously a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with Chaminade University of Honolulu. My bachelor’s degree is in Information Systems from BYU Hawaii. Hobbies/Interests:I love love love spending time with my family, doing outdoor activities, and gardening. As a kid, my mom loved plants and gardening which I hated. Ironically, now as an adult I truly enjoy seeing flowers bloom and plants grow. Special Counseling Assignments: Social Media Coordinator MESA UCAW 9th grade breakouts Freshman Academy Interesting Fact(s): My husband and I have 7 awesome children who all keep me going every day. 10 years ago we moved here from Hawaii at the beginning of winter. This was hard not to be outdoors all year long, but we have learned to adapt to the weather and in turn and love being here. |

Mandy Tran (Rem-Sc)
Years in Education:
4 years as an AVID Tutor, AP Proctor, and College Access Advisor
Educational Background:
University of Utah 2020
B.S. Ethnic Studies
B.S. Family, Community, and Human Development Cum Laude
Psychology Minor
University of Utah 2022
M.Ed School Counseling
Hobbies/Interests:
I love getting creative so anything artsy, I LOVE! What I am most interested in now is painting and baking.
Special Counseling Assignments:
PBIS Counselor Representative with La Flora
Scholarships/ UT Scholars with La Flora/UCAC Advisor
UCAW with Keleni and Cheri
email: mhtran@graniteschools.org FAFSA Completion with UCAC Advisor
10th grade Breakouts with Cheri
Interesting Fact(s):
I am Vietnamese American but my legal name is in Vietnamese. I also can do a bird sound!
Years in Education:
4 years as an AVID Tutor, AP Proctor, and College Access Advisor
Educational Background:
University of Utah 2020
B.S. Ethnic Studies
B.S. Family, Community, and Human Development Cum Laude
Psychology Minor
University of Utah 2022
M.Ed School Counseling
Hobbies/Interests:
I love getting creative so anything artsy, I LOVE! What I am most interested in now is painting and baking.
Special Counseling Assignments:
PBIS Counselor Representative with La Flora
Scholarships/ UT Scholars with La Flora/UCAC Advisor
UCAW with Keleni and Cheri
email: mhtran@graniteschools.org FAFSA Completion with UCAC Advisor
10th grade Breakouts with Cheri
Interesting Fact(s):
I am Vietnamese American but my legal name is in Vietnamese. I also can do a bird sound!
email: lfonua1@graniteschools.org
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Laflora Fonua (Ren-Sc)
Years in Education: This is my third year in the education field and as a school counselor. I am a Kearns High graduate so it is great to be back at Kearns High School! Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Sociology from The University of Utah, and Master of Science in School Counseling from University of Phoenix. Hobbies/Interests: I love listening to music, attending concerts, watching movies, and television shows from around the world. I am an occasional reader, but I do have a goal to complete the list of “100 Books to Read by BBC.” Most of all, I love to spend time with my family. Special Counseling Assignments: Lunch time Activities Senior Breakout AP Testing College Tour Interesting Fact(s): As I previously mentioned, I love listening to music, especially reggae music. I saw UB40 in concert 8 times! Four times in Salt Lake City, and the other four in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
Coty Steele (Se-Z) **yo hablo español
Years in Education: I began working in the educational system in 2016. Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science (UVU) and Master of Education in Educational Psychology (University of Utah). Hobbies/Interests: Listening to music, going to concerts, dancing, I just started scrap-booking and I love it! Lastly, I love spending time with my family and friends. Special Counseling Assignments: UCAW Hope Squad AVID Social Media/Website Interesting Fact(s): I was born in Chile and immigrated to the United States when I was 3 years old. I absolutely love going back and visiting my family there! |