Emily Niehaus, Head of School
Emily is the founder of Heron School. She grew up in Ohio with a passion for recreation, learning, and finding creative outlets to keep her busy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology from Clemson University, where she studied human behaviour and published her thesis entitled “Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Among Whitewater Recreationists”. She moved to Moab in 2002 with an open heart to be of service in her life. She is the founder of Community Rebuilds (a nonprofit building affordable housing in Moab with participating homeowners utilizing a student education program), and she is the former Mayor of Moab.
Click on this link to read about the inspiration behind Heron School.
Emilia Cubelos, Dean of Students & Humanities Lead Instructor
Emilia grew up in Moab (where she graduated valedictorian of her class) and returned after graduating college to be of service to the community she calls home. Emilia holds a B.A. in International Studies from Willamette University, where she was a recipient of a Carson Grant research award. Her undergraduate research emphasized gender studies and linguistic equity in both the United States and South Africa, and her published work can be found in Social Justice. Emilia has over 10 years of speech and debate experience as a decorated bilingual (English and Spanish) international competitor and educator. Emilia is currently working on her M.A. in the Teaching of English at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her graduate research focuses on best practices for supporting neurodivergent teen girls in the English classroom. In her freetime, she enjoys reading, baking, hiking, and spending time with her cat.
Madison Degen, Arts and Sciences Lead Instructor
Madison has an incredible love of learning, and she is a jack of all trades. She's worked as a set designer and propsmaster for movies and commercials. She has also worked in marketing, manufacturing, dentistry, construction, retail, foodservice, and as a fine artist. After studying physics and then film at Brigham Young University, Madison felt her love of discovering new things turn into a passion for helping others do the same. She graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor's degree in Art Education after having her artwork published in the university's Touchstone magazine. When Madison isn't teaching or studying, she likes to build aquariums, listen to audiobooks, and bike.
