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.
Meet Savanna Sparks,
Office and Marketing Manager
Savanna Sparks serves as our Office & Marketing Manager, bringing organization, creativity, and a deep love for the Bare Foot community into everything she does. As a mom of four and a longtime advocate for youth development, Savanna understands the importance of clear communication, strong relationships, and creating a welcoming experience for every family.
Savanna oversees daily office operations, family communication, and marketing efforts, helping ensure the gym and school run smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in business, education, and community building, she plays a key role in connecting families to programs and sharing the heart and mission of Bare Foot.
Outside of work, Savanna enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her children’s activities, and finding creative ways to serve and uplift others. Her passion for people and dedication to excellence help make Bare Foot a place where families feel informed, supported, and truly at home.
Meet
Melissa Terry, Our Team director
Melissa Terry is our Team Director and brings decades of experience, heart, and passion to the Bare Foot gymnastics program. A former competitive gymnast, Melissa began her coaching career in 1993, and her love for the sport has only grown stronger over the years.
Melissa has enjoyed coaching throughout every season of life, including while her three daughters participated in gymnastics. Today, one of her greatest joys is coaching side by side with her daughter, Reagan, creating a special full-circle experience within the gym.
She is deeply passionate about coaching and believes strongly in the life lessons gymnastics teaches—discipline, perseverance, confidence, and resilience. Melissa finds her greatest fulfillment in watching athletes progress, achieve their goals, and reach their full potential. She is proud to be part of Bare Foot and loves the gym’s philosophy, culture, and commitment to developing strong athletes and strong individuals.
Outside of the gym, Melissa enjoys running, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Meet Reagan Terry,
Optionals Team Coach
Reagan Terry is a Team Director who brings lifelong passion, high-level experience, and contagious positivity to the Bare Foot gymnastics program. She began gymnastics at just one year old and truly lived and breathed the sport throughout her childhood and teen years.
Reagan competed for 15 years through Level 10 and spent a year competing on the Utah State University gymnastics team. After retiring from competition, she found her way back to Bare Foot to “fill her gymnastics cup,” returning to the gym that shaped so much of her journey.
As a coach, Reagan strives to create a positive, fun, and uplifting environment where athletes feel confident, supported, and excited to come to the gym each day. She is passionate about helping gymnasts find joy in the process, not just the results, while building strong skills and self-belief.
Outside of the gym, Reagan loves traveling and spending time with the people closest to her, especially at Lake Powell, camping, and exploring the desert.
Meet Marcus Matthews,
Coming Soon!
Contact Us Today
Send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.
