Aubree Hazard

Co-Founder & Head of School
Acton Academy

Aubree Hazard is the Co-Founder and Head of School at Acton Academy Cache Valley, where she champions a radically learner-driven approach to education. A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in Biological Engineering, Aubree brings a sharp analytical mind and a deep passion for authentic learning to everything she builds.

After excelling in traditional academic settings—earning top honors from Kindergarten through college—Aubree stepped back to critically assess her own educational journey. She realized that conventional schooling had rewarded compliance and perfectionism but had often stifled creativity, ownership, and true curiosity. Determined to chart a different course for her own children, she immersed herself in educational models rooted in freedom, mastery, and personal agency.

 Her educational philosophy centers on creating environments where children pursue goals they choose, collaborate organically, and grow through meaningful challenges—not coercion. Discovering the learner-driven model at Acton Academy provided the perfect alignment with her vision.

Today, Aubree leads with the belief that every child deserves the freedom to forge their own path, and that real learning is fueled by ownership, purpose, and joy.

When she is not mentoring young learners, Aubree loves soaking up nature, discussing big ideas, reading classic literature, and adventuring around the globe with her family

Troy Hazard

Co-Founder 
Acton Academy

Troy is a natural entrepreneur. He has launched multiple successful small businesses, always guided by grit, vision, and a spirit of adventure. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics and considers himself a passionate life long learner. 

Troy is a steady and loyal friend, a dependable neighbor, and a leader who lets his work—and his actions—speak for themselves. He leads by example. He thrives in the outdoors and love to embraces challenges, whether it’s on mountain trails, through sports, or in the daily discipline of building something meaningful.

Troy’s greatest joy is his family: his wife Aubree and their four incredible daughters. Together, they live a life full of curiosity, courage, and purpose. Co-founding Acton Academy Cache Valley felt less like a decision and more like a calling—an extension of their shared belief that every child deserves the freedom to explore, discover, and chart their own unique path.

Troy believes in potential—in kids, in adults, and in anyone willing to commit to growing and doing. His favorite saying is: "just go for it".

Shalleen Balle

Elementary (Discovery) Guide
Acton Academy

Shalleen is a passionate educator with nearly a decade of experience working with families and fostering student growth. She believes deeply in student-driven, real-world learning,  and meaningful discussions that inspire curiosity and independence.  With a background in leadership, strategic planning, and program development Shalleen uses carefully developed Socratic discussion skills to work with her fellow travelers (the heroes in her studio) to build a prosperous learning environment. Shalleen respects each hero as a genius with unique capabilities and gifts to contribute, making ample time to lovingly guides each individual to find their gifts, and change the world.

Anna Annawalt

Sparks Guide - Acton Academy

Anna a creative storyteller, musician, and life-long learner with a deep love for children and a belief in their abilities and potential. With experience as a substitute teacher, music specialist, and community leader, she brings warmth, flexibility, and a love for growth to every environment. She believes children thrive when trusted to explore, take risks, and learn from their mistakes.   

Anna is a talented and dedicated musician playing over 4 instruments,

Jeff Sandefer

Co-Founder & Advisor
Acton Academy

Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide. As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.

Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.

Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a longtime director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Laura Sandefer

Co-Founder & Advisor
Acton Academy

Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science. After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.

Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.

Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and step-mother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.

Her greatest hero is her mother who was a Master Teacher. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: "Be curious."