Grant Beckwith, Head of School

Mr. Beckwith joined American Heritage School in 2005. Prior to joining American Heritage School's administration, Mr. Beckwith was a practicing attorney 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 bachelors and masters degrees in accountancy and information systems from the Marriott School of Management. Mr. Beckwith has lived and worked in Moscow Russia, New York, New York, and Washington D.C., and grew up in various parts of the United States including Utah, California, Texas, Florida and Wisconsin. He and his wife Candice are the parents of four children and are honored to be involved with American Heritage School.

Leland Anderson, Principal, Middle and High School (7-12), Home and Distance Education Director

Leland Anderson is Principal of Grades 7-12 and Director of Home and Distance Education at American Heritage School. He joined AHS's administrative team in July 2008. Prior to this, Mr. Anderson graduated from Harvard University with an Ed.M. in School Leadership and received K-12 administrative licenses in Utah and Massachusetts. He filled a administrative internship at Madison Park High School, one of the largest vocational high schools in Boston Public Schools. He was also a Visiting Fellow at Innosight Institute in 2008-2009 where co-authored a white paper entitled "Alpine Online School: A Utah school district’s move into K-8 online education." Mr. Anderson taught English at Oak Canyon Junior High School and Provo High School. He earned a B.A. cum laude and with University Honors in English Teaching from Brigham Young University (BYU), where he was a Trustees Scholar, ORCA Academic Scholarship Grant Recipient, and a Robert C. Byrd Scholar. He worked at BYU's Center for Instructional Design, assisting in developing physical science, geography, and American history courses. He taught Spanish at the LDS Missionary Training Center and tutored at BYU's Reading and Writing Center. He completed a full-time LDS mission in Mexico City. He and his wife, Gina, were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and have four daughters and two sons. Among their favorite past-times, they enjoy gardening, baking, reading, blogging, scrapbooking, hiking, camping, and family reunions. "After considering employment at schools in several states,” Mr. Anderson says, “American Heritage School was right for me."

Blaine Hunsaker, Principal, Elementary (K-6)

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 Jacob, Assistant Principal, Middle and High School (7-12), Admissions Director

Elizabeth Jacob 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.

Trudy J. Camp, Assistant Principal, Elementary (K-6)

Trudy Camp is currently the K-6 Assistant Principal, chair of the library committee, and serves on the American Heritage School teacher development, curriculum, and uniform committees. She is completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at University of Phoenix. Trudy was raised on a sheep and cattle ranch in South-Central Idaho where she learned the value of hard work, faith in her Heavenly Father, and family unity. She has been employed at American Heritage School since 1989. She is the mother of two daughters, one son, and nine beautiful grandchildren. Her love of teaching children correct principles of America's Christian Heritage and a love of the Lord were a few of the reasons she chose American Heritage School as a partner in educating her own three children. She has taught in all grade levels in American Heritage School classrooms. She also has significant experience teaching homeschool for many years. In 1996, she joined AHS’s administration team with a dual role as business director and assistant principal and enjoyed assisting in the design and construction of the American Fork campus. Trudy treasures her association with American Heritage School students, parents, teachers, and administrators. She loves to read, hike, ride horses, and enjoys cooking for family celebrations.

Rich Weyland, Business Director, Technology Director

Rich Weyland comes to American Heritage School with a wealth of experience in finance, business management, information systems, budgeting, and has significant experience in financial operations of nonprofit organizations. As the business director and technology director, Mr. Weyland is also closely involved with the School’s major theatrical events, musical productions, and other special events. Rich and his wife, Heidi, are the parents of seven children.

Bob Wheeler, Director of Health and Safety, Facilities and Security

Bob Wheeler comes to American Heritage School with a diverse background not only in facilities management but also significant experience in security, law enforcement, risk management, institutional emergency preparedness, and medical first responding. Originally from Southern California, Bob moved his family to Utah in 2002. He earned a BS in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Prior to AHS, Mr. Wheeler had a 23-year career in law enforcement, and 7 years as a small business owner. Mr. Wheeler and his wife, Shari, are the parents of four children and live in Alpine, Utah.

Peter Knecht, Director of Marketing, Associate Director of Home and Distance Education

Peter Knecht comes to American Heritage School with extensive background in sales, marketing, and business operations. While attending BYU business school, he started his first of many contract sales companies for various telecommunications companies. The last of which, he grew to become the largest nationally of its kind. Recently, after visiting with a friend and Board Member of the school, Peter began volunteering his services in support of the school’s new distance education program. Four months later, he officially joined the school as Director of Marketing and Assistant Director of Distance Education and is eager to put his experience to work for this important outreach. Peter and his wife Amber stay busy in their house of four boys, and long awaited daughter. They enjoy competing together as a family in local triathlons and love Utah and all the wonderful recreation it provides.

Tammy Morse, Administrative Assistant - Front Office

Tammy Morse joined American Heritage School in 2002. She has served the school as head librarian, computer lab instructor, yearbook graphic design instructor, and Technology Director. In 2009 Mrs. Morse accepted a Family and Church History service mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year she is excited to return as front office administrative assistant. Mrs. Morse and her husband, Lucky, are the parents of 5 children, one of whom attended the school for five years.

Lisa Mulvey, Administrative Assistant - Front Office, Assistant Registrar

Lisa Mulvey has been a teacher, parent, volunteer and administrative staff-member at American Heritage School since 2000. She and her husband, Kevin, have three children, the youngest of whom currently attends American Heritage.

Marilyn Patch, Administrative Assistant - Finance

Marilyn Patch joined the American Heritage staff in the fall of 2005. She loves working at the school and says that the school has been a place of healing and learning for her. Ms. Patch grew up on a Dairy Farm in Pleasant Grove and learned what hard work was all about at a very young age. Hard work has helped her accomplish many of her life long goals. She attended Brigham Young University where she studied accounting. She was a co-owner and accountant for a steel construction company for 27 years. Ms. Patch is the mother of seven children (4 sons and 3 daughters) and ten grandchildren who are the joy of her life. Marilyn loves to travel and learn about new places. When she has a spare minute she plays competitive tennis and loves the many friends she has made.

Melanie Bills, Librarian

Melanie Bills is a Utah native. She was born and raised in Orem. She attended Utah Valley State College until she was married. She and her husband, Mike, moved to Highland shortly after their second child was born and have resided there ever since. They have three children: Brandan, Brittani, and Andruw, all of whom attend American Heritage School. Mrs. Bills is an avid reader and loves education. She enjoys camping, hiking and four-wheeling with her family. She has served in the Primary and is currently serving in the Young Women's Presidency in her ward. She enjoys good music and scrap booking. Mrs. Bills has had children attending American Heritage School since 1999, and has enjoyed helping in classrooms and in the library.

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