We are thrilled to welcome two new teachers to Salt Lake Arts Academy this year. Without further ado...
Heather Blakley, Humanities 5/6
Heather grew up in Memphis, TN, and attended Murray State University in Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She returned to Memphis and began her teaching career while also earning a master’s degree. After a few years in Memphis, she followed her family to Utah, where she lived — with a brief year in Colorado — for 11 years.
Heather later moved to Virginia for a few years before deciding that Utah was home. She joined the faculty at SLArts as a Humanities 5/6 teacher in 2026 and is excited to be here!
Heather has taught English and history most throughout her career and is looking forward to blending the two subjects together. She loves to read, and historical fiction was always a favorite growing up.Heather believes that all students can learn and work to foster a classroom community where students can be themselves and feel more open to learning. She loves learning and loves instilling that love in new generations!
Deanna Sarmento, Humanities 5/6
Deanna Sarmento’s path to the Humanities classroom took a few interesting turns, from studying music in Northern California, to working in human resources and client support, to beginning a new career in education. Although those experiences may seem very different, she says they taught her the same important lesson: people grow when they feel known, supported, and encouraged to use their voices.
Deanna is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from California State University, Chico, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Governors University. She joined SLArts in 2026 and teaches 5th- and 6th-grade Humanities.
To Deanna, history is much more than a collection of names and dates. It is the story of people: their ideas, choices, struggles, creativity, and connections across time and place. In her classroom, students read, write, investigate, discuss, ask questions, and bring their learning to life through creative projects. Her goal is to build a classroom where students feel safe taking academic risks and leave with greater confidence in their own voices and a lasting curiosity about the world.
Outside the classroom, Deanna rarely sits still. Depending on the season, you might find her snowboarding, playing softball, climbing, camping, river kayaking, or cheering loudly for the Seattle Seahawks. She also loves watching and playing sports, seeing as many musicals as possible, and spending time with her husband and daughters.
In teaching and in life, Deanna tries to follow three simple values: Live Fully. Love Deeply. Keep Learning.