.png){kind=logo}
Meet the Teacher Series
WEEK 6
Meet Emmitt Higley
Minecraft STEM Classes
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Emmitt started teaching the Minecraft class two years ago — with a little coaxing from his mom — and quickly realized how much he knew and could share with others. What looks like a game from the outside is actually packed with STEM concepts: science, technology, engineering, and math, all wrapped up in something genuinely fun. Emmitt's goal is to help kids discover their own creativity while learning principles that help them understand how the world works — without it ever feeling like school.
When he's not in Minecraft, he's in the sky. Emmitt's uncle is a captain for Southwest Airlines, and a single ride in a small prop plane through the Young Eagles flight program was all it took to hook him. He's since logged hundreds of simulator hours, enrolled in the Path to Pilot program, flown over 30 hours in a virtual Cessna 172, and recently flew a real training airplane from take-off to landing. This summer he's bringing that passion to our Intro to Aviation Camp as well.
His message to parents wondering whether to sign their kid up for a Minecraft class: yes. Our brains learn best when the tools we use are fun and engaging — and this class tricks students into learning because it genuinely is.
"I want everyone to experience what it's like to dream something up and then actually create it from scratch."
— Emmitt Higley
Read Emmitt's full story →
Browse Emmitt's classes
Sign up directly from his teacher page
"I want everyone to experience what it's like to dream something up and then actually create it from scratch." - Emmitt Higley
Meet the Teacher Series
WEEK 5
Meet Arika Lau
Ceramics & Pottery
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Arika has been teaching art in various capacities for ten years, starting at BYU studying art education before transferring to UVU for a deeper dive into ceramics. What she loves most about the medium is what happens once the basics click — suddenly a whole world of possibilities opens up. Clay is expressive in a way few other art forms are, and every piece a student makes carries something unmistakably theirs.
Her teaching style is guiding, individualized, and focused on developing mastery. She meets students where they are and helps them move forward from there — and when frustration hits, she doesn't let it be the end of the story. She once watched a student struggle with a new medium, step away, come back, break it down step by step, and finish with a smile. Slowing down and trying again, Arika says, is always the recipe for success.
If you're nervous about signing up, she wants to hear about it. Art is all about problem solving and overcoming obstacles, and her class is a great opportunity to push back against fears and prove yourself. Whatever is holding you back, she'll work with you to find a way through.
As Ms. Frizzle always says, "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy." It reminds me to loosen up and get curious — exactly the energy I bring to every class.
— Arika Lau
Read Arika's full story →
Browse Arika's classes
Sign up directly from her teacher page
“I believe creativity is a skill we can improve with practice.” - Arika Lau
Meet the Teacher Series
WEEK 4
Meet Brooke Koyle
Creative Writing & Fiction
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Brooke has been writing consistently since she was 13 — from fan fiction to fantasy to dystopian, she has explored just about every corner of the storytelling world. Before joining us at The HeART Collective, she taught workshops through the Operation Literacy non-profit at StoryCon and Teen Author Boot Camp, where she discovered just how hungry young writers are for a space where their ideas are taken seriously.
What she loves most about teaching is the lightbulb moment — the sparkle in a student's eyes the second a groundbreaking idea clicks into place. Her style is interactive, upbeat, and engaging, and her classroom has a rule that applies to every single student: no idea is a bad idea. All it takes is a little polishing, elbow grease, and practice to transform any idea into something magical.
If your student has been sitting on a story idea they don't know what to do with — or has never tried writing but is curious — Brooke's class is the place. Young or old, big or small, everyone has an idea worth chasing.
"No idea is a bad idea. All it takes is a little polishing, elbow grease, and practice to get any idea transformed into something magical!" - Brooke Koyle
Read Jessica's full story →
Browse Brooke's classes
Sign up directly from her teacher page
“I believe creativity is a skill we can improve with practice.” - Arika Lau
Meet the Teacher Series
WEEK 4
Meet Brooke Koyle
Creative & Fiction Writing Teacher
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Jessica has been directing theater since high school and went on to earn a film degree from BYU with an emphasis in writing and directing. Not only is Jessica a gifted writer, but also a compassionate human being. She has a gift to truly see people as they are and know how to draw the best out of them. Whether she is teaching a room full of kids their first musical or writing memorial songs to help a family honor someone they have lost, Jessica brings the same gift — she knows how to help people find their voice.
Some teachers teach theater. Jessica teaches confidence. In her classroom, she does not let kids hide. She has watched students walk through the door unable to speak above a whisper and leave standing taller than when they arrived. That shell-cracking moment, when a kid discovers the lead quality already inside of them, is exactly what she shows up for every single week.
Her classes are not about competing for the spotlight — they are about helping every student step into it. Whether your child is brand new to theater or has some experience, Jessica is ready to help them discover their hidden potential.
"Quote from Brooke" - Brooke Koyle
Read Brooke's story →
Browse Brooke's classes
Sign up directly from her teacher page
Meet the Teacher Series
TEMPLATE - WEEK #
Meet [Teacher Name]
[List of Classes]
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Natalie has been teaching art for many years — from the basement of her home to a professional studio setting — and no matter where she teaches, one truth has stayed constant: art is everywhere. Not just in galleries or classrooms, but in small everyday moments, in the quiet spaces where creativity sneaks in when you least expect it.
What I love most about Natalie is the way she talks about watercolor. She says it teaches us to let go — because you simply can't force it. It moves and blooms and does unexpected things, and learning to work with that is one of the most powerful experiences a person can have. Perfectionism doesn't stand a chance in her class. And honestly? That's the whole point.
If you're nervous about signing up, Natalie has one thing to say to you: just do it. The students who walk in most convinced they can't draw are often the ones who surprise themselves the most.
"Just do it. Dive in head first. I'll provide the life preserver!" - Natalie Beddoes
Read Natalie's full story →
Browse Natalie's classes
Sign up directly from her teacher page
paysonheartcollective.com/classes-by-teacher/natalie-beddoes
Meet the Teacher Series
WEEK 3
Meet Jessica Blackhurst
Musical Theater Teacher
Natalie Beddoes
Adult Watercolor & Kids Art Club
Jessica has been directing theater since high school and went on to earn a film degree from BYU with an emphasis in writing and directing. Not only is Jessica a gifted writer, but also a compassionate human being. She has a gift to truly see people as they are and know how to draw the best out of them. Whether she is teaching a room full of kids their first musical or writing memorial songs to help a family honor someone they have lost, Jessica brings the same gift — she knows how to help people find their voice.
Some teachers teach theater. Jessica teaches confidence. In her classroom, she does not let kids hide. She has watched students walk through the door unable to speak above a whisper and leave standing taller than when they arrived. That shell-cracking moment, when a kid discovers the lead quality already inside of them, is exactly what she shows up for every single week.
Her classes are not about competing for the spotlight — they are about helping every student step into it. Whether your child is brand new to theater or has some experience, Jessica is ready to help them discover their hidden potential.
"I want every student to discover the power they have within and the light they have to share." - Jessica Blackhurst
Read Jessica's full story →
Browse Jessica's classes
Sign up directly from her teacher page
paysonheartcollective.com/classes-by-teacher/jessica-ns-blackhurst