Valor Education

Watch Dr. Mark Discher, Headmaster at Valor San Antonio, and Randi Haldenwang, Assistant Headmaster of Lower School at Valor San Antonio, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on September 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.

Dr. Mark Discher has been in the field of education for over thirty years. He received a B.A. from Wheaton College, an M.Div. from Fuller Seminary, an S.T.M. from Yale University, and his doctorate from Oxford University. He and his wife have three school-aged children. Dr. Discher has taught at colleges and universities across the country, including Ottawa University, University of St. Thomas, Benedictine College, and the College of St. Mary Magdalen. An entrepreneur, Dr. Discher operated a trucking company in his home state of Illinois for nearly a decade. Recently, he pioneered two classical charter schools in the Phoenix area. Aside from teaching, reading, and writing, Dr. Discher enjoys music and building model railroads with his sons.

Randi Haldenwang is the Assistant Headmaster of Lower School at Valor San Antonio. Ms. Haldenwang is a certified elementary and ESL educator. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Valor’s motto, sapientia per admirationem, or wisdom through wonder, points to the fundamental task of awakening wonder and love of truth, goodness, and beauty in every student. Valor San Antonio offers a robust student life experience. During the past school year (2023–24), Valor San Antonio hosted a variety of community events, including a Fall Festival, Fiesta Family Fun Night, Grandparent Gardening Day, Classical Literary Parade, Curricular Celebrations, Winter and Spring Concerts, Student Art Gallery, and field trips.

This year, Valor San Antonio’s inaugural freshman class will embark on their first Wilderness Expedition to Utah. In the backcountry, free from the distractions often present in our contemporary life, students awaken to a deepened sense of wonder for the natural world.

Through Valor’s Human Encounter program, students spend meaningful time with senior members of our community, people with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged individuals in their community. Extracurricular clubs at Valor San Antonio include art, strings, drama, robotics, chess, Latin, science, gardening, and personal fitness.

• “Classical Education Learning Models at San Antonio Schools,” San Antonio Charter Moms, August 13, 2024
• “John Fowler Teaches Latin at Valor San Antonio,” John Fowler, San Antonio Charter Moms, April 24, 2024
• “Charter Moms Chats — Valor San Antonio, With Mark Discher And Erin Fonner,” YouTube, September 7, 2023
• “Valor Education to open first San Antonio school Aug. 16,” Edmond Ortiz, Community Impact, August 14, 2023
• “Valor Education,” San Antonio Living, March 23, 2023
• “Valor Education opening classical school in North San Antonio,” Edmond Ortiz, Community Impact, January 30, 2023
• “Charter Moms Chats — Valor Education, With Mark Discher, Stephen Gordon, And Erin Fonner,” YouTube, October 20, 2022