Staff Bio
Meet Ashley & Caleb Phillips
Owners of Bare Foot Gymnastics & Montessori
Bare Foot Gymnastics & Montessori is a true family legacy that began in 1994 with Ashley’s parents, Cathy and Barney.
When Cathy and Barney moved their family from Boise, Idaho, to St. George, Utah, two of their six children were actively involved in gymnastics. At the time, there were no gymnastics facilities in St. George. One day, Barney looked at Cathy and said, “Man, I wish the kids could go to gymnastics again!” Cathy’s response was simple but powerful: “Let’s build a gym.” And just like that, the idea for Bare Foot was born.
Their children were raised not only in the gym but also within the Montessori environment and philosophy—learning independence, responsibility, and a love for growth from an early age. Their daughter Ashley went on to become a Level 10 gymnast, growing up fully immersed in both gymnastics and Montessori education.
Ashley later married Caleb Phillips, whose passion for gymnastics and coaching led him to serve as an NCAA Assistant Coach for women’s gymnastics at Southern Utah University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Washington. During their time in Washington, Ashley and Caleb began thinking deeply about their children’s education and long-term security.
Meet Lesa Sandberg, Bare foot
Accountant
Lesa Sandberg is an invaluable part of the Bare Foot family and has been for over 20 years. What began as a trusted family friend and babysitter grew into a lifelong commitment to the vision and mission of Bare Foot.
Lesa started her journey with Bare Foot in the Montessori school, where she played a vital role in supporting daily operations. Over time, her strengths, dedication, and leadership naturally led her to managing the financial side of the organization. Today, she is a key contributor to Bare Foot’s daily operations and long-term success.
Beyond her role as an accountant, Lesa assumes various roles within the St. George community, earning widespread respect for her integrity, reliability, and leadership. She is a steady presence behind the scenes and a true example of what it means to serve with purpose.
Without Lesa's commitment, vision, and heart for the families we serve, Bare Foot would not be where it is today.
Meet Lindsey Case, Our Recreational Director
Lindsey Case serves as our Recreational Gymnastics Director and brings a lifelong passion for athletics, movement, and youth development to Bare Foot. A former All-American javelin thrower and Junior Olympian, Lindsey’s background in competitive sports gives her a deep understanding of discipline, confidence-building, and age-appropriate athletic progression.
Married for over 20 years and a St. George resident for the past seven years, Lindsey is a proud mom of four daughters, two of whom are competitive gymnasts themselves. Her personal experience as both an athlete and a parent allows her to connect meaningfully with our families and support gymnasts at every stage of their recreational journey.
Outside of the gym, Lindsey enjoys baking, staying active, and spending quality time with her family. Her energy, leadership, and genuine love for kids help create a positive, encouraging environment where athletes can grow, have fun, and fall in love with movement.
Meet Ashlee Donovan, our
Montessori Director
Ashlee Donovan found Bare Foot when her son was just three years old after a difficult experience at a previous program. From the moment they arrived, the Bare Foot staff showed incredible patience and care, helping her son transition into school in a way that was both supportive and life-changing.
After witnessing the impact the Montessori approach had on her child, Ashlee became deeply passionate about learning and embracing the Montessori way of life. In 2018, Cathy began training Ashlee as a reading teacher, where her natural ability to connect with children quickly became evident.
Ashlee soon moved into a permanent role in the classroom as a Head Teacher, continuing to grow in both experience and leadership. In 2025, she earned her Early Childhood Education certification and is currently working toward her Lower Elementary Montessori training.
Ashlee brings a unique perspective to Bare Foot—as both a parent and an educator—and is deeply committed to creating a nurturing, respectful, and empowering learning environment for every child.
Contact Us Today
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