Our board of directors

 Mrs. Jackie Thorne is an Upper School teacher of Humanities and Latin. She is studying theology at Bethlehem College and Seminary, where she is currently working on her Master of Arts in Exegesis and Theology.

Mrs. Thorne is a true lifelong learner: she can often be found getting lost in her stacks of books with a warm espresso, savoring poetry, or dabbling in Shakespeare. She resonates with C.S. Lewis’s conviction that “you can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” She loves to share these passions with her students, and is eager to help shape their hearts, minds, and souls through Christ-centered education.

Mrs. Thorne lives with her husband and children in Minneapolis. 

Mrs. Carey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She  is dually licensed in Elementary and Special Education and taught first grade for 7 years in a classical setting. She tutors several students from the Twin Cities area focusing on fundamental reading and math skills. Jade and her family attend Crossroads church in Woodbury where she serves as the preschool teacher in children's ministry. She is passionate about the mission of Valor and excited to partner with families in developing each child's God-given talents and abilities. Through a nurturing and structured environment, students will grow spiritually, academically, and socially. 

Jade loves spending time with family and friends, baking, growing things in her little garden, and playing outside with her kids. She and her husband Adam live in Lake Elmo with their two children Miles (5) and Olivia (2). 

 Mrs. Emily Secord has a deep passion for Classical Christian Education and is excited to join the Valor Classical Academy’s teaching team. Since 2018, Emily has been classically educating her own children, and throughout the last four years, she has also been teaching dozens of students of various ages using the Classical Conversations curriculum. She loves to make learning interactive, fun, and memorable, and desires to see students grow in their love of God.

Mrs. Secord received a degree from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul and gained experience in higher education working at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She loves being active with her family, running, swimming, rollerblading, and biking to the local parks and libraries, while exploring God’s creation together, especially the zoos and local ice cream parlors.

Emily also has a passion for the local church where she has served in a variety of roles. She lives in St. Paul with her husband, Levi, and their four children, and they attend Christ Bible Church in the Twin Cities. 

Mr. Matteo Unger is currently studying at Bethlehem College and Seminary where he will graduate with his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Letters this upcoming May. 

Mr. Unger is an avid learner. He can often be found in his library reading through the classics of the Western Canon. He wholly agrees with Cicero when he writes that “a room without books is like a body without a soul.” He is always eager to share knowledge with students and to encourage others that all learning finds its end in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. His passion is to see the next generation of Christians equipped with the truths from the Liberal Arts and the Holy Scriptures necessary to flourish spiritually and to combat Satan during their pilgrimage through this present world. He loves the Reformed church tradition and is a vibrant student of ancient and modern languages.

Mr. Unger is from Canada, but lives in Minneapolis and attends Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Mrs. Ryden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in K – 12 Classroom and Vocal Music from Augsburg College and a Masters of Arts in Music Education degree, with a certification in Orff-Schulwerk, from the University of St. Thomas. She has taught in public schools, homeschool co-ops, and her church, teaching/directing a variety of ages from kindergarten students through adults. Within the last five years, Mrs. Ryden has also been teaching voice lessons…and loving it!

Diane finds delight in watching her students grow in their skills and love of singing and music in general. However, her greatest passion is getting to witness them using their gifts in music to offer up to the Lord a sweet fragrance of praise, both individually and corporately!

Mrs. Ryden and her husband have three adult children and live in Minneapolis.

Serving the Valor community as a support to the teachers and a leader for our Chapel gatherings, Mr. Jorge Salazar is a student at Bethlehem College & Seminary. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from Bethlehem and a number of teaching certificates from the University of Cambridge. He taught ESL for a number of years in Mexico. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Theology and Letters with the aim of furthering his studies in the history of thought, especially to understand how ancient ideas have informed—or should form—current ones. His particular fields of interest consist of theology, the branches of philosophy dealing with aesthetics and metaphysics, and literature. He finds joy in researching these particular fields, but more so in sharing what he discovers with others, especially his loving wife, and being challenged by them. He hopes to pursue this joy in academia, the classroom, the church, and, more importantly, his family.

Mr. Salazar lives with his wife and two children in Richfield where they attend Richfield Bible Church.