Meet our Administrators
Trust the Dedication of Utah's Foremost Educational Leaders
Utah Virtual Academy administrators are committed to ensuring the finest education possible for your children. From providing expert tools and strategies to teaching materials and parent support, our management is dedicated to making sure that you have what you need to deliver a well-rounded, enriching education to your children.
John Gutman
is the high school coordinator and high school counselor for the Utah Virtual Academy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Utah. After working for 12 years for the Salt Lake Tribune as a writer/editor, he received his teacher certification in special education from Utah State University. He is working toward a master’s degree in special education and a certificate in administration/supervision from Utah State. John has been in education for 18 years in Utah schools as a teacher, principal/administrator, counselor, coach and athletic director.
Kathy VanOrden is the operations administrator for Utah Virtual Academy. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Kathy worked for the Salt Lake City School District for the past 12 years. Upon leaving the district, she went to work at the University of Utah as an executive assistant for the senior vice president’s office. While working at the U of U, she was contacted by the head of school for UTVA and asked to come work for K12. Kathy loves her new job with UTVA/K¹² and looks forward to many years with this exciting new job.
Jeffrey Herr is very excited to be the head of school for the Utah Virtual Academy. He is entering his 17th year as an educator, 14th as an administrator. He has been a principal and assistant principal at all three educational levels. He spent most of his career in the Salt Lake City School District. His last assignment was as the principal of the Open Classroom Charter School, a district dependent charter school associated with the Salt Lake City School District. Before becoming an educator, he was a banker. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Utah.
Kathy VanOrden is the operations administrator for Utah Virtual Academy. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Kathy worked for the Salt Lake City School District for the past 12 years. Upon leaving the district, she went to work at the University of Utah as an executive assistant for the senior vice president’s office. While working at the U of U, she was contacted by the head of school for UTVA and asked to come work for K12. Kathy loves her new job with UTVA/K¹² and looks forward to many years with this exciting new job.
Jeffrey Herr is very excited to be the head of school for the Utah Virtual Academy. He is entering his 17th year as an educator, 14th as an administrator. He has been a principal and assistant principal at all three educational levels. He spent most of his career in the Salt Lake City School District. His last assignment was as the principal of the Open Classroom Charter School, a district dependent charter school associated with the Salt Lake City School District. Before becoming an educator, he was a banker. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Utah.
