5th Grade

Jayson Marchant | Fifth Grade Traditional Teacher

I have been married to my beautiful wife now for 27 years. We have 3 children Alec (25) who is a computer programmer, Aubrey (20) who is a nurse, and Aidan (16) who is a Junior at Snow Canyon High School and runs Cross Country and Track. I graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Liberal Studies (Teaching), after a 5th year of Student Teaching in Kindergarten and 6th Grade, I earned my teaching certificate (this is how they do the teaching program in California). We then moved to Las Vegas where I taught 1 year in 5th Grade and then had an opportunity to teach 8th Grade Science and 6th Grade Math at a new Middle School. After 2 years, we decided to move to St. George where I taught at Panorama (5th Grade) for 3 years and then at Diamond Valley for 15 years teaching 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades. I have a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Endorsements in Gifted and Talented, STEM Education, and Educational Technology.

Gen Freebairn | Fifth Grade English Dual Immersion/ALP Teacher

My Email: gen.freebairn@washk12.org

My name is Genevielle Freebairn, a.k.a. "Gen". This is my 17th year teaching at the elementary level. I have taught 2nd, 4th, 5th grades. I have a passion for gifted education and have been involved with the program for several years now. I have finally acquired my PhD degree in K-12 Curriculum and Studies, with an emphasis on the district's gifted program. I also have my Gifted and Talented Endorsement and Technology Endorsement. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and continue to learn whenever I have an opportunity.

I love to spend time with my family, listen to music, go running, play volleyball, and go country dancing with my husband. I am a kid at heart and am always up for a game of nerf battles, water wars, and more. I have four children, ages 19, 17, 5, and a 1 year old. We have two daughters and two sons that keep us super busy with the age gap. Although I grew up in the city, I love living here in the valley with my family. I love teaching and consider my profession to be the best job ever!

Blanca Nielsen | Spanish Dual Immersion/ALP Teacher

My Email: Blanca.nielsen@washk12.org

¡Hola! I’m Señora Nielsen, and I am so excited to be joining Diamond Valley Elementary as a 4th and 5th Grade Spanish Dual Language Immersion teacher!
I was born in Guatemala, a beautiful country full of rich culture, colorful traditions, delicious food, and incredible history. A fun fact about Guatemala is that 22 Mayan languages are spoken throughout the country!
I grew up in Utah and graduated from Timpview High School in Provo, once a T-Bird, always a T-Bird! I later attended Utah Valley University, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, proud to be a Wolverine!
I have six years of experience teaching Dual Language Immersion and three years teaching English as a Second Language. I love helping students build confidence, take chances, and discover just how amazing it is to become bilingual!
When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family. I am a proud mom of five daughters, and my husband serves our community as a police officer. Some of my favorite things are swimming, dancing, weight training, riding bikes, traveling, and making memories with my family.
I can’t wait to meet my students and families and begin this new adventure together.
¡Va a ser un año increíble!

DVES FACULTY

Our teachers at Diamond Valley Elementary are highly experienced, educated, and dedicated. We have a combined total of over 100 years of teaching. Most of our faculty have taken Gifted and Talented post-graduate classes with many receiving the full endorsement. Many have also received their Master’s Degree, Reading Endorsement, Math Endorsement, or ESL Endorsement. Each faculty member works their hardest to provide a high quality education for every student. The teachers have fun and professional personalities that make Diamond Valley a place that children love to be.

“LEARNING FROM THE PAST, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE, SUCCEEDING IN THE PRESENT.”