John and Connie Doty have lived near the west shore of Flathead Lake since 1987 and have dedicated their lives to helping students grow in both knowledge and character. Together, they homeschooled their six children through high school, fostering a love of learning and independence. Their adult children now work in diverse fields including environmental science, education, medicine, business, construction, and physics. They have spent decades teaching and mentoring young people in a variety of schools and educational settings.

Connie is a licensed Montana Certified Teacher with more than 37 years of experience teaching mathematics and English composition in public, private, and home education settings. Known for making challenging subjects enjoyable and understandable, she brings creativity, warmth, and structure to every lesson. At Flathead Valley Academy, Connie serves as principal and lead teacher, guiding with patience, enthusiasm, and high expectations. She also enjoys leading hands-on science and nature studies, sharing her love for plants, ecology, and the outdoors.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Natural Resource Management from the University of Montana and has more than 40 years of experience in forestry, tree care, and land management. Now retired from Doty’s Treeworks, the family business he owned and operated for many years where all six of their children learned the value of hard work and service, John brings his professional expertise to Flathead Valley Academy as assistant teacher, financial officer, and head of the school’s home-cooked lunch program. He combines practical experience with a calling to help others discover and care for the natural world, teaching science, history, and environmental studies in ways that make learning both meaningful and fun.

Together, the Dotys founded Flathead Valley Academy to provide students with a flexible, personalized, and academically strong education, rooted in character, curiosity, and respect for both people and the natural world.