The Founders’ Institute

Ryan Mueller is a social studies teacher at Mount Logan Middle School with over fifteen years of experience teaching United States history. He focuses on helping students engage with primary sources like the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. He earned his degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and previously worked at the Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office. In 2022, he was named Utah History Teacher of the Year and contributed to Why History Matters: American History Teachers Speak Out, emphasizing historical thinking and civic responsibility.

Danette Arns is a fifth-grade teacher at Red Cliffs Elementary School in the Juab School District with 12 years of experience teaching all core subjects. She holds a master’s degree in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology, a mathematics endorsement, and serves as a Teacher Leader. She emphasizes civics education through primary sources like the United States Constitution and believes all students can achieve at high levels. In her classroom, she integrates social studies into literacy with nonfiction, historical fiction, and experiences such as a Wax Museum, Colonial Days, and field trips to the Topaz Relocation Center.

Jalena Warner is a U.S. History teacher at Juab Junior High School in Nephi, Utah, focused on helping students see history as relevant to their lives. She emphasizes primary sources like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, encouraging students to think like historians by analyzing evidence and perspectives rather than memorizing facts. Her classroom features interactive projects, including rewriting historical documents in modern language, along with document-based activities and creative assessments that build critical thinking, civic awareness, and collaboration.

Heather Peterson grew up in Wendover, Utah, near a World War II military base, which sparked her early interest in history. Influenced by her mother, a teacher, and her father, a Vietnam War veteran, she developed a strong sense of patriotism and passion for the past. She believes studying history helps students build perspective, empathy, and civic pride. After beginning her career in elementary education, she now teaches 7th-grade Utah History and 8th-grade U.S. History, where she enjoys helping students deepen their understanding of the past.

Ben Meier is an 8th-grade U.S. History teacher at Pine View Middle School with 15 years of experience, focused on making history engaging by emphasizing the “why” and “how” behind events. He prioritizes civic engagement, helping students understand the Constitution and its impact over time. His students explore modern issues by tracing their roots to constitutional principles using Supreme Court cases and current events. He aims to help students move from learning about the Bill of Rights to applying it in their own lives as active citizens.