Meet Shemay & Holly!

Shemay Gunther | Owner and Director

With over 25 years in the childcare industry, Shemay has pursued excellence in this field since she was a teen and has always dreamed of having her own school! Her passion for early childhood education began in high school where she worked in their on-campus preschool. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development from Utah State University.

After taking some time away to raise her five children, Shemay continued to gain a wide range of experience in early childhood education and is able to understand many facets of the field - from cook, to aide, to preschool teacher. She quickly moved into leadership roles and has served as a Director for Bright Beginnings, a Center Manager for Head Start, and Curriculum Director for Inquisitive Minds.

Shemay went on to obtain her teaching license and accepted a role as an Education Specialist at Canyon Grove Academy, where she met Holly, and together they have realized their shared dream of opening their own school - and that vision continues to inspire the work they put into creating a place for children to grow, learn, and shine bright.

Holly Clegg | Owner and Administrator

Holly earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and began her teaching career in Southern California, at a diverse Title I school. It was there that she developed a strong passion for supporting students from all backgrounds and with a variety of needs. After several years of teaching, she took time away from the classroom to raise her five children.

When she returned to education, Holly taught Music Education to students in grades K–6 at Barratt Elementary in American Fork, followed by one year teaching 5th grade and one year of supervising a Hybrid Elementary program at Canyon Grove Academy in Pleasant Grove. It was here she met Shemay and they decided to embark on the Illuminate journey!

Alongside her active teaching license, Holly has had extensive training in Dyslexia from the Dyslexia Center of Utah and is certified in Math and Reading Acadience Test Administration.  She is so excited to bring her many years of valuable classroom expertise, leadership experience, and lifelong love for children to her role as Administrator here at Illuminate Early Learning Academy.