Pam Dysert works in the kitchen at HCA. She has an associates degree in liberal arts from Front Range Community College. She has been working for Heritage since 2022. She has one student who attends school at Heritage and 2 older kids who enjoy playing sports for Heritage. Her hobbies and passions are cooking, reading, media ministry and women’s ministry. She loves Heritage for the family atmosphere, not only with other parents and students, but within the faculty as well.
Hilary Swiers is HCA’s front office support and the Friday substitute for the middle school English class. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Denison University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. She has worked as a Social Worker at the Veterans Administration Hospital, as a Librarian at the Wellington Public Library, and as a substitute teacher for HCA. She loves spending time with family and friends, reading, talking about books, and gardening.
Her favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 1:3-7: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”s front office support.
Mr. Weant is HCA’s Maintenance and Custodial Manager. He also teaches Tech Lab and is on the School Board. Mr. Weant graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Business Administration. He has 25 years experience as a business owner/manager, Systems Engineer and QA Test Engineer. He enjoys spending time as an amateur extra radio operator and hobby electronics builder. Robert married Gaylyn Riley in 1984 and they have three children, Katie, Michael, and Emily.
Baily Welz is one of HCA’s third grade teachers. She is passionate about Christian education and instilling a love of learning while helping children to see who they are in Christ. She strives to be a willing vessel for God to work in and through.
Baily graduated from UCCS with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Prior to her family coming to Heritage in 2024, she homeschooled her children for 10 years. She is married to Josh, and together they have seven children, three of whom are adopted, and all currently attend HCA.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Candace Whitner is one of HCA’s Drama Teachers. Ms. Whitner holds a BA in Music and a BA in History from King University. She has been teaching since 2018, and she is passionate about studying the cultures of the world in relation to their histories and the way God’s glory can be seen throughout the entire world. Miss Whitner loves getting the opportunity to witness God working in the students’ lives. She feels blessed to know that she is a part of knowing the amazing things He does in and through each one.
Valorie Towne is the International Student Director at HCA. She also teaches seventh and eighth grade English. Mrs. Towne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She loves learning to pursue more intimacy with God. She also loves learning about effective teaching strategies, stopping epilepsy, and how to be a better Lolli (grandma). Mrs. Towne’s favorite part of the job is the interaction, energy, and growth she gets to see through all the students.
Mrs. Sanchez is a life-long Spanish speaker. She began helping at HCA as a substitute teacher in 2022. She now teaches Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 to high school students. She has a degree in Psychology from Ivy Tech Community College and feels blessed for the opportunity to teach at Heritage.
Amber Ortner is HCA’s Secondary Director of Instruction and one of HCA’s mathematics teachers. She has been working in education since 2004. She currently serves as one of the secondary math teachers and offers tutoring for HCA, providing additional resources for students. Mrs. Ortner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Master’s in Classroom Instruction from Biola University. Mrs. Ortner is passionate about reaching those who might seem unreachable and finding what works for them. Her favorite part of teaching is helping all students realize that they can be successful.
Josh Nichols teaches AP Psychology and Introduction to Psychology at HCA. He is the head coach of the varsity soccer team. He also provides counseling and support to students both in the elementary and secondary schools. Mr. Nichols earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Allegheny College and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Duquesne University. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Josh loves to spend time outdoors with his wife and three kids, especially hiking and biking. Cultivating meaningful relationships with his students and players is his favorite part of serving at HCA.
