Elyssa Branin grew up in Southern Utah. She loves to hike, camp, garden, and hang out with her two cats and two dogs. She lived abroad in Canada, where she spoke French and experienced diversity in cultures. Elyssa married her high school sweetheart in 2017. She graduated from Southern Utah University in Mathematics and French Education, and completed her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. She taught Math and French for 5 years in a public school before teaching with Utah Online in 2025. She is excited to help students develop an understanding of math and its applications in everyday life.