Grant Beckwith, Head of School
Mr. Beckwith joined American Heritage School in 2005 as principal of the American Fork campus and now serves as the Head of School overseeing the school’s three campuses: American Fork, Salt Lake City, and American Heritage Worldwide (AHS Online). Prior to joining American Heritage School’s administration, Mr. Beckwith was an attorney practicing corporate law for the Washington D.C. office of Nixon Peabody LLP. A member of the Utah Bar, the Virginia Bar, and the District of Columbia Bar, Mr. Beckwith is a graduate of the BYU Law School and also holds masters and bachelors degrees in accountancy and information systems from the BYU Marriott School of Management. Mr. Beckwith has lived and worked in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), New York City, and Washington D.C., and grew up in various parts of the United States including Utah, California, Texas, Florida and Wisconsin. Mr. Beckwith serves in leadership roles for a number of volunteer organizations including on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, the Board of Directors of the Younique Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring and empowering children and women who are victims of sexual abuse, and on the Board of Trustees of the Park City Day School. Mr. Beckwith is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a Latter-day Saint mission in St. Petersburg, Russia from 1993-1995. He and his wife Candice live in Alpine and are the parents of four children (two graduates of AHS and the younger two still attending). In addition to his responsibilities as Head of School, Mr. Beckwith enjoys teaching a high school seminar each year entitled “Principles of Leadership.” The Beckwiths are deeply honored and grateful to be involved with the mission of American Heritage School, and to associate with the many extraordinary families who are drawn to it.
Chase Hale was drawn to American Heritage by the values and priorities signaled in its mission statement. After completing a bachelors degree in general accounting and a masters degree in financial accounting (BYU Marriott School of Management), Chase began his professional career with Deloitte & Touche. Chase specialized as a financial-statement auditor in Deloitte’s Raleigh, North Carolina practice, where he was exposed to a wide array of clients across a diverse spectrum of industries. Chase made the jump from public accounting to industry when he accepted an offer to work for MasTec Network Solutions, a project-management company specializing in wireless-telecommunications infrastructure; Chase’s last position before leaving MasTec was as the Regional Finance Controller for the Mid Atlantic market. Prior to assuming his current role as Principal for American Heritage’s American Fork campus, Chase spent seven years serving as the school’s Business Officer. In addition to years of volunteering for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (including a two-year, full-time mission in Italy), Chase’s community involvement includes service as a member of the board of directors for the Sutherland Institute. Chase and his wife Laura enjoy the positive impact the school has on their family as their five children attend as students and as the prescribed literature, history lessons, and other aspects of school curriculum become a starting point for dinnertime and other-family discussions.
When Blaine Hunsaker was first introduced to American Heritage School he was impressed with the principles taught at the school that develop the Christian character of each child. Mr. Hunsaker is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a bachelors degree in secondary music education and a minor in history. He was delighted to accept a position as a music teacher when first coming to the school in 2002. Later, he would also teach science, and in the summer of 2005 he joined the administrative team. In the summer of 2006 he completed a rigorous certification in the Kodaly methodology of music teaching at BYU. He has performed as a singer in such places as New York, Hawaii, El Salvador and Italy. Though he is grateful for these gifts, his true desire is to work with and bless the lives of children. He and his wife Adrianne are the parents of five sons and one daughter, and consider American Heritage School to be a wonderful blessing to their family.
Elizabeth Acuná was privileged to attend American Heritage as a student for grades 1-6 and is a granddaughter to H. Verlan Andersen, one of the original school founders. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University and is a mother to six children. She has been involved heavily with education for many years in such capacities as homeschooling her own children and teaching orchestra at Meridian School in Provo. She wrote the charter and served as a co-founder for Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, a charter high school located in Lindon, Utah, which was ranked the best high school in Utah by Newsweek in May 2010. She served on Maeser’s board as Curriculum Chair for five years where she was later employed as Accreditation Chair, assisted with administrative duties and taught a Music History class. She currently has three children attending American Heritage and is grateful for the opportunity her children have to enjoy the same educational experience she values so much from her childhood. She especially appreciates the unique mission of American Heritage to teach religious truth while expecting academic excellence.
David Buer comes to American Heritage with a broad background in public and media relations, athletics, marketing, content creation, event management, and non-profit operations and fundraising. After receiving a bachelor’ s degree in communications from Brigham Young University, Dave spent several years in the Atlanta area doing communications work while also running a multimedia startup. Dave has worked with clients throughout the country and has extensive experience in the Utah market after spending seven years as the communications director for a Salt Lake City-based public policy non-profit. Dave was also an elementary school teacher for three years and is grateful for the opportunity to once again work with students as an assistant principal and in teaching and coaching capacities at AHS. Dave and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of five boys—four currently attending AHS and the oldest graduated from American Heritage in 2021.
Barbara Tanner joined American Heritage Schools as the Advancement Director in 2019. Previously, she worked for Philanthropies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a major gift officer. Barbara received her Ed.M. in School Development from Harvard in 2008 and her M.Phil. in Organization & Leadership from Columbia in 2014. While at Harvard, Barbara created and directed the International Children’s Book Project and co-chaired the Proposal Review Committee of the Student Research Conference. While completing her coursework at Columbia, Barbara directed two large-scale surveys for the Research Alliance for New York City Schools, gathering data on hundreds of schools across the five boroughs of New York City. She was elected to represent her student colleagues on the Student Senate at both Harvard and Columbia. Before attending Harvard, Barbara taught at Irvine Home School, a K-8 public school/home school hybrid in the Irvine Unified School District. In 2000, she was honored by IUSD as the Outstanding Teacher in Alternative Education. Barbara is proud to be an alum of Brigham Young University, where she received her B.A. in Humanities.
Yahosh comes to American Heritage having served as the Director of Basketball Operations for Southern Utah University, Assistant Coach at Western Nebraska Community College, and most recently as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at American Leadership Academy, where he also taught a “Values in Leadership” course and served as the “Voice of the Eagles” announcer for several sports. Yahosh served an Latter-day Saint mission in Tampa, Florida, and is a second-generation member of the Latter-Day Saint faith (his parents joined the Church in Connecticut). He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications from the University of Northern Colorado and Southern Utah University, respectively. He played basketball at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and where he also competed in track (long jump) and football. In addition to athletics administration and teaching, Yahosh also loves singing and acting. View a music video of the Bonner family’s original composition “I Am Here” and a duet “One Call Away.” Yahosh and his wife, Vanessa, are the parents of two sons and one daughter: Malachi, Samaiah, and Nehemiah.
Adam was born and raised in Richfield, Utah. He is the youngest of 4 children. He served a Latter-day Saint mission in Florianopolis, Brazil from 1998 – 2000. In 2004 Adam started Peace of Mind Home Inspections LLC, a growing home inspection company in Utah County. He still enjoys inspecting homes today. Adam has also been extensively involved in the financial services industry and currently holds numerous insurance and investment licenses. He is also involved in the direct sales industry. Adam enjoys serving in his church calling, golfing, reading, and a good movie. Adam and his wife Melisa reside in Pleasant Grove, Utah with their two sons, Logan and Nathan. They have enjoyed their associations at AHS for the past 6 years, and love the mission of the school and dedication of the faculty and staff. Adam is thrilled to be a part of the American Heritage finance team.
Melisa been a parent at American Heritage School for 11 years. She has spent the last 5 years in the Admissions office, and thoroughly enjoys meeting new families and students. She has also worked as a Kindergarten aide. Melisa graduated from Utah Valley University where she worked at the University Institute as an Administrative Assistant. She loved her time there and enjoyed the process of supporting the Institute teachers, students, and student council. Melisa married her high school sweetheart, Adam, and they have two amazing teenage boys at AHS. She considers it an amazing blessing and miracle to be at school with her boys each day. When she is not at school, Melisa enjoys spending time with her family playing games, baking, and snuggling up to watch a movie.
JoAnn is from Cedar City and loved growing up in Southern Utah. She went to college at USU and earned a Bachelor of Psychology. She served a mission in Portugal and still enjoys chatting in Portuguese. Upon returning from her mission she married and started raising her family of 7 children; 6 sons and 1 darling daughter. She also has a Masters of Education in School Counseling from USU. She has experience working in school counseling at Lone Peak High School and Providence Hall High School. She loves connecting with students and their families and has an enduring love for the youth. Working in education brings her joy! JoAnn enjoys being active and likes hiking with friends, running with her dog, and doing yoga. She is also an aspiring equestrian. Alongside her fantastically wonderful children, she likes playing board games and making meals. JoAnn is thrilled to be a part of the American Heritage Family!
Tammy has worked with teachers and administrators at American Heritage school for nearly 20 years. She loves to be a “behind the scenes” supporter of the school in any way she can. She enjoys learning and increasing her graphic design, webmaster, and technology skills. She enjoys her growing family of five children and 13 grandchildren. She and her husband recently served a public affairs mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toronto Canada, and she continues to be a strong supporter of religious freedom and interfaith efforts.
Jeremy Wright comes to AHS having recently retired as the Chief of Police for Fairview, Utah, looking for an opportunity to continue his career focusing on one of the things that he loves most: working in schools with students. Mr. Wright was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The second of five children, he served a Latter-day Saint mission in Tampa, Florida, and graduated in 2000 from the Utah Peace Officers and Standards Academy. He has had a 20-year career in law enforcement, including with the Tooele City Police Department and the Saratoga Springs Police Department, which he helped to found. Jeremy has significant experience in various first-response professions, including School Resource Officer (one of his favorites), D.A.R.E. instructor, EMT, Hazmat Technician, Firearms Instructor, Detective, Corporal and Sergeant. Jeremy earned his bachelors degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University and has long enjoyed teaching a class to students who have interest in criminal justice. Jeremy enjoys serving in his church calling, spending time with his family, and working in the yard. Jeremy and his wife Jody reside in Saratoga Springs, Utah with their seven children, six sons and one daughter.
Melanie is a Utah native. She was born and raised in Orem, graduated from Orem High School and then attended Utah Valley State College. She has three children who have all attended American Heritage School. Mrs. McConkie is an avid reader and loves education. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms and the library until she joined the American Heritage faculty as a third grade teacher in 2005. After teaching for four years, Mrs. McConkie moved from the classroom to the library. She loves assisting teachers and students with all of their media needs.
Kandace was born and raised in Kearns, Utah, but prefers the warmth of St. George where she lived for 9 years. While living in St. George she attended Dixie State University. She has worked in the front office of LDS Family Services for 5 years assisting therapists and clients, which has deepened her desire to educate others about emotional challenges. She loves faith-based therapy, and loves that American Heritage provides a faith-based education. The opportunity to work at American Heritage combines Kandace’s love for office administration work, education, family, and faith. Kandace plans on becoming a Family Life Educator after completing the online Family Life program at Utah State University. She also hopes to become more involved with two organizations she volunteers for – Utah Coalition Against Pornography and Operation Underground Railroad. She served a mission in Nauvoo, Illinois where she deepened her love of the gospel, church history, and teaching. Kandace is the 4th of 8 children, and the favorite aunt of 7. When not working or pursuing education, she enjoys hiking, reading self-help books, organizing, and spending time with two of her five sisters whom she lives with in Orem, Utah.
Carolyn comes to American Heritage with a background in both healthcare consulting (Huron Consulting Group) and corporate healthcare finance (Wells Fargo). Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Carolyn graduated from Saint Francis High School in 2001. Following high school, she was recruited to compete on the Women’s Swimming Team at Fresno State (2001-2003) and Brigham Young University (2003-2005). After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from the Marriott School of Business, Carolyn served a mission in Paris, France. Carolyn met and married her husband, Bryce, in 2009 in Portland, Oregon. They have three children and currently reside in Saratoga Springs. Carolyn has enjoyed homeschooling her children for the past two years using curriculum from The Family School Online. In her spare time, she enjoys riding bikes with her family, hiking, walking around her neighborhood, and curling up with a good book. She feels it is an honor and privilege to be working at American Heritage School and to have her children attending the school this year.
Lindsey comes to American Heritage school with over 6 years of graphic design experience. ” I love the vision and mission of American Heritage and I’m excited to promote and share it’s message through marketing.” She was born and raised in Utah and feels blessed to be happily married with three young children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening, hiking and music. She is looking forward to this new year!
