Becky Konecki

Chairperson, Curriculum Committee Chair

Becky is an experienced educator with a passion for Montessori teaching. She believes in the importance of hands-on education that leads children to becoming life-long learners.

Becky Konecki has been an educator for ten years, five of which she was a lead high school Montessori teacher. She has taught in both public and private schools in all levels of math, gifted tutoring, life and physical sciences, and art. She earned her B.S. in physics from the University of Notre Dame in 2005, and a M.Ed. from Xavier University in 2020 with a focus on Montessori Secondary Education. She completed her Montessori training through CMSTEP in 2018, earning a Secondary Montessori credential (ages 12–18) through AMS. She is a current participant in AMS’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship and holds an Ohio teaching license in AYA Math and Physical Science (7th–12th grades). She also oversees student teacher candidates for Wittenberg University’s education department.
Becky first discovered Montessori through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program through her parish and has been a CGS volunteer for ten years. She is mother to an eleven-year-old son who has been attending a Montessori school since the age of three. She loves Montessori’s focus on following the child into adolescence, as she is a firm believer in the vastness of potential carried within every person. She has been honored to witness this growth through her roles as mother and teacher. She is an avid lifelong learner who is always looking to add new hobbies and skills to her repertoire, and she loves fostering a love for learning in her students.
Outside of education, Becky enjoys going on adventures with her husband and son (which seem to often involve campfires or roller coasters). She loves puzzles, board games, yoga, reading, snuggling with her cats, and creating beautiful things.

Brian McWhorter

Vice Chairperson, Building Search Committee Chair

With a Master’s in educational leadership, Brian loves the flexibility and focus on student choice that Montessori programs offer.

Brian McWhorter has had a vast range of teaching experiences over his nineteen years as an educator. He has taught 4th through 12th grade students in social studies, math, and ELA in public, charter, and Montessori schools. Brian received his B.A. in History at Marietta College and a M.S. in Educational Leadership at the University of Dayton. He obtained his Integrated Social Studies licensure (7–12) through Ashland University, his Integrated Social Studies licensure (4–9) through Wright State University, and his Principal licensure through Wittenberg University. He currently teaches for Springfield City Schools.
As a former Montessori parent and educator, Brian loves the focus on student choice that Montessori education affords. He was the Assistant Head of School for Nightingale Montessori for a school year, has taken coursework through CMSTEP, and has presented at the Cincinnati Montessori Society annual conference. Brian believes that students in the Dayton Metro area would greatly benefit from a Montessori high school and is committed to Valor’s purpose and mission.
Brian enjoys fishing, hunting, spectator sports, camping, and watching historical films. He loves spending time with his wife and two children the most.

Lisa Belew

Treasurer, Grant and Fundraising Committee Chair

Lisa has witnessed the transformative power of a Montessori classroom through her role as a parent. She looks forward to applying her professional knowledge of law and business development to the growth of Valor Montessori.

Lisa works as a Contracting Officer for the United States Air Force. Prior to moving to Dayton, she worked as an attorney practicing federal administrative law. She holds a JD from the University of Louisville, and a BS from Centre College.
As a Montessori parent, Lisa has witnessed first hand the transformative power of a Montessori classroom, especially for students with learning differences. Lisa believes bringing a Montessori High School to Dayton will close an educational gap and present families with learning opportunities not currently available in Dayton.
Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. Together they enjoy traveling, the Arts, and all things science.

Latarsha Rucker

Secretary

A former homeschool-teacher turned Montessori-parent, Latarsha uses her Bachelor’s in Business Administration to serve as Valor Montessori’s secretary.

Latarsha currently works as a licensed financial professional and administrative manager with her family's business. She formerly worked as a pricing analyst for a large corporation and holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Urbana University.
As a former homeschool teacher and current Montessori parent, Latarsha has seen the transformational effects Montessori education has on children and looks forward to helping bring that same type of transformation to the Dayton community with her fellow Valor board members.
Latarsha and her husband have one son. She enjoys reading, cooking, shopping and entertaining family and friends.

Haley Moody

Co-secretary

Haley uses her experience as a Montessori educator and interventionist to advocate for the student population. She is especially passionate about children with special needs or learning disabilities.

Haley Moody graduated from Wittenberg University in 2016 with a major in education and dual certificates in Early Childhood and Intervention Specialist. She also minored in Russian Studies and Psychology, just for fun! During her time at Wittenberg, she was a teaching assistant in a Montessori school in the primary, lower, and upper elementary classroom. She also worked as a 1:1 autism aide in an autism resource center. After graduating from Wittenberg, she accepted her first head teacher position in a Montessori school in the lower elementary classroom. She completed her Lower Elementary Montessori certification through NAMC in 2016. She taught in the Montessori classroom as a head teacher for five years before stepping back to focus on her family. She is currently an administrator at a nonprofit autism resource center. She also serves as the board secretary for a Montessori school that her daughter attends, and she offers lower elementary guidance and mentorship as well.
Haley’s passion for Montessori learning stems from having attended a Montessori school from first grade until high school. She was grateful for the opportunity to attend a Montessori high school, which allowed her to graduate with her Associate of Arts the same year as her high school diploma. She is excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with the other members of the Valor Montessori board. She has seen firsthand the beauty of a Montessori high school program and is eager to help bring this opportunity to the Greater Dayton area!

Heather Heritage

Marketing Committee Chair

Heather has been teaching as a communication professor for over a decade, and uses her professional and research skills to promote inclusivity and advocacy in the classroom.

Heather Heritage has been teaching in higher education as a communication professor since 2011. She teaches various communication courses with specializations in public relations, advocacy, events, grant writing, and health communication. Prior to higher education, she spent 8 years in a corporate environment, training management, sales teams, consultants, and customer service representatives for an international health company. As a University of Dayton alumni, she has graduate degrees in Communication and Health Communication. She also holds a B.S from Youngstown State University in Allied Health.
As an educator, Heather believes the pedagogical method of Dr. Maria Montessori is unique and effective for children. She has personally seen the positive effects of a Montessori education with her own children. She is an advocate and an ally for all, and is especially sensitive to inclusion of those from vulnerable populations.
Heather has four young children, and enjoys reading, hiking, and photography. She volunteers for various arts and education organizations throughout the Dayton area, and enjoys all of the Arts Dayton has to offer.

Our Board of Directors

A Spirit of Growth