MEET OUR STAFF
HOLLY BAUMGARTNER
Operations Director
Holly’s family became a part of the TLC family when her daughter entered 1st grade in the fall of 1999. Holly became an employee of the school in the fall of 2004 when her son entered Kindergarten, and has been on staff ever since. While her children have long since graduated TLC, Holly enjoys remaining in community with people dedicated to raising good human beings. Much of her time is spent managing business operations.
Holly enjoys backpacking and caving, and is a long-time member of the Green Grass Cloggers.
CARLISHA BELL
Fourth – Eighth Social Studies
Carlisha has taught in both public and independent schools, working with middle and high school students in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Social Justice, and Screenwriting. She is passionate about teaching the humanities in ways that make history and literature feel relevant to students’ lives and loves being part of communities that nurture young people through the pivotal moments that shape who they are becoming.
In 2023, Carlisha and her partner traded Austin, Texas for the mountains and slower pace of life in Swannanoa. She enjoys writing screenplays, teaching adult improv, performing with local troupes, and spending time playing and connecting with loved ones.
DAVID BIRD
Academic Director; Eighth Language Arts
David has taught a variety of subjects in a multitude of environments: from public schools and non-profits to his current position at TLC School. Teaching for more than a decade in traditional public schools left David looking for something more innovative and creative–a place where a student’s individuality is important and vital to learning. He currently teaches middle grades language arts. He has studied abroad in Madrid and travelled through Mexico. He received his National Board certification in Spanish in 2010 and is Orton-Gillingham trained. David’s passion with education begins with the culture inherent in a language; he seeks to create an environment rich with authentic resources and experiences.
SOPHIE CARUSO
Fifth/Sixth Math; Seventh Language Arts
Sophie is thrilled to be a part of the TLC family! Originally from Louisiana, Sophie moved to New York City to study Theatre Arts and Art History at Marymount Manhattan College. She later moved to New Jersey where she spent the past few years teaching Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, and music, along with directing the lower school musicals. Sophie is so excited to be calling North Carolina home after years of spending her summers going to camp at Montreat. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her cat, Khaleesi, and go hiking.
THERESA COTE
Kindergarten – Eighth Art
Theresa Cote has been a member of the TLC community since 2000 when her son, Max, entered Kindergarten. She volunteered with and then headed up the art program for many years before becoming a staff member. She also started TLC’s after-school art club. She integrates art with the school’s curriculum and considers this a major piece to the program’s success. Additionally, Ms. Theresa has designed, produced, and coordinated the costumes for all the school’s colorful and vibrant musicals.
In her spare time, Theresa enjoys working on her own art projects. She lives in Swannanoa with her beloved cats.
MADISEN DINGLE
Second/Third Language Arts; Social Studies
Madisen (she/her) is originally from Durham, North Carolina and comes from a family of educators. She received her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University and has served in a variety of education roles over the years. Madisen has her QMHPC from working with children and adolescents in mental health settings and has been teaching for five years. She incorporates social-emotional learning and movement into everyday instruction. Madisen also teaches dance, gymnastics, and group fitness classes outside of TLC.
When not at school, Madisen loves dancing and spending time with her dog, Mowgli.
BRIAN DOOLEY
Kindergarten – Eighth Music Teacher
Originally from Long Island, NY, Brian joined TLC in 2025 after earning his Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music. He began his musical journey at age eight on the Highland bagpipes and was a member of the New York Metro Pipeband.
Brian is committed to fostering lifelong learning in his students, equipping them with the tools and confidence to grow musically. He has experience teaching students of all levels—from beginners to college musicians—as well as working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
In his free time, Brian enjoys sharing music in the community, frequently performing at senior living communities and hospitals.
CLARE DUPLACE
Second/Third Assistant Teacher
Clare Duplace has lived in and around Asheville for over 20 years. She currently lives in Swannanoa, with her two boys, and a sweet pup named Rosie.
Clare received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Warren Wilson College. While living in Vermont after college, she worked as a Waldorf preschool teacher and a children’s librarian at a small library, that still stamped books. Clare has received her level 1 & 2 Reiki training, a level 1 course in acupressure, graduated from a local herb school and is a flower essence practitioner. Clare makes flower essences for grief and bereavement support, end of life support, for caregivers, and for the cycles of the moon.
Clare is also trained as a children’s yoga teacher through Black Mountain Yoga, Yoga Nidra certified, and trained in girls rites of passage and was a teacher for 12 years at The Learning Community School.
Clare has been on her own grief journey since the death of her mama in the fall of 2017. Since that time, she has been studying, diving deep into, networking, practicing and training in all things grief and death related. She is a part of the positive grief and death movement and is a trained full spectrum doula- birth, postpartum, loss, abortion and end of life doula. She is an end of life doula, lead of the grief tending team, and supports education, through Emberlight: The Center for Conscious Living and Dying. She has been certified in numerous grief related trainings- Integrative Thanatology (the study of death), certified grief educator, as a grief movement guide, creative grief practitioner, somatic:grief/yoga facilitator, and grief ritual leader through Frances Weller, to name a few.
Clare has taken both the “Poetry as a Tool for Wellness” facilitator course and a course on using poetry to support those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, through the Institute for Poetic Medicine. She created and facilitated “Writing Your Grief” circles, incorporating cherished poems and excerpts from authors on grief and prompts for writing and reflection, holds monthly poetic medicine and grief tea/story circles at the Center for Conscious Living and Dying, and studied narrative medicine at Lenoir Rhyne University.
Clare received an MA in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University, and focused on the intersection between mindfulness, grief and death, and wrote her thesis on supporting children.
AMANDA GERWING
Fourth Grade
Amanda grew up outside of Chicago, IL before attending Appalachian State University for her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After graduating, she spent many years teaching and leading students in outdoor and environmental education settings throughout the country. Through hands-on, experiential, and interactive lessons, she hopes to inspire students through curiosity and creativity. To her, there is nothing more exciting than seeing the look on a student’s face when they discover something new.
In her free time, you can find Amanda on her bike, paddling down a river, climbing rocks, or diving into a sewing project. Her dog, Mango, is always happy to tag along on her adventures.
REGGIE HEADEN
Kindergarten – Eighth Chorus Director
Reggie Headen is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He has starred on Broadway at Town Hall’s “Rising Stars” and has done children’s theatre for Two Bean’s Production of “Jack Sprat”. After relocating to Western NC in 2018, he has been focusing on helping others become what he calls a “fully embodied singer”, at his shows and in private lessons. Reggie’s excitement and joy for learning is evident in how he treats all students with care and respect . He believes whole heartedly that creativity is an integral piece to learning.
KAREN HOWELL
Student Support Director
After working five years at TLC’s Summer Academy, Karen is excited to be a part of the staff. With decades of classroom experience, she has spent the last 10 years educating students with language-based learning differences. She is passionate about helping students understand their learning profile and has developed a deep understanding of how to adapt instruction to meet students’ needs. Karen holds certifications from both the Orton Gillingham Academy and The Academic Language Therapy Association. She lives in Asheville with her husband and “the boys”–two black and white rescue pups!
AMY HURLSTON
Fifth/Sixth Language Arts
Amy is originally from Chicago and settled in the mountains of Asheville in 2000. She earned a B.S. in Education (Speech Pathology & Audiology) from the University of Wisconsin (Go Bucky!) and her K-6 teaching licensure from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Seventeen years across early childhood and elementary education has shaped her conviction that children learn best in hands-on, supportive, and fun settings. She builds her classroom as a family of learners—a space where children feel valued, trusted, and part of the community. Watching students develop a genuine love of learning and celebrating each child’s growth is what she loves most about the work.
Outside the classroom, Amy recharges by reading, exploring the outdoors, spending time with family, and taking in live music.
ROBIN JACOBS
Physical Education; Staff Training/Development
Robin joined the TLC community in the fall of 2012 as a TLC parent, with children in grades 1 and 4. She began volunteering in the office and classroom, and then served on the TLC Board as a parent member from 2014 to 2017, and enjoyed serving as Facilities Committee Chair and working on TLC policy during that time. Robin joined the TLC staff the fall of 2017 as a P.E. Teacher and Special Projects Coordinator. She has led and served on the silent auction committee. Robin is an avid fitness geek with a background in playing and coaching soccer, is a black sash in ShaoLin Kung Fu, and enjoys teaching Kung Fu and self-defense classes. She is an attorney and practiced locally with Pisgah Legal Services focusing on public benefits, disability and Medicaid services law, before taking a break from law. In her spare time, Robin hangs out with her family and sweet puppy dog Panda.
NOAH KEENER
Fifth – Eighth Math/Science
Originally from North Georgia and landing in WNC after leaving the Northeast, Noah graduated from the University of North Georgia with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry. While his interests are vast, science has always been his passion. He strives to make science and math more meaningful to students by engaging them in the benefits of scientific and mathematic endeavors in all disciplines and throughout life.
He believes there is as much value in failure as there is in success, as both are powerful teaching tools. His classroom is a community where students can talk about science openly and address misconceptions. Noah likes to teach by utilizing a hands-on approach called proof of concept, where investigations into scientific and mathematical principles ultimately lead to exploratory learning that stands to validate often abstract ideas.
When he isn’t teaching, Noah can usually be found playing with his kiddos, hiking, or cycling.
ESTELLE KIMSEY-WHITE
Kindergarten – Eighth Spanish
Estelle (they/them) is thrilled to join the TLC team as the K-8 Spanish Teacher. They were born and raised in Asheville and graduated from UNCA with a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies.
After spending several years in New Orleans and then New York City, they returned to the mountains of North Carolina and pursued their M.S. in Instructional Technology and Design through UNCG.
Estelle and their partner, Isabelle, love to travel together and frequently visit family in both Mexico and Spain.
In their free time, Estelle enjoys making ceramics, going on long walks, and spending time with their two cats, Sweetness and Friday.
AMAYA KINCH
Teacher Assistant; Fourth Junior Teacher;
Choreographer
Amaya is an Asheville native and a TLC alum who is thrilled to be returning as a staff member. She has worked on the musical team as a choreographer for the past five years, and is now making her classroom debut.
When she is not in the classroom, you may find Amaya in the dance studio, hiking with her husband and senior dogs or working on fiber arts.
CAT MONTGOMERY
School Counselor; SEL Facilitator
Cat (she/her) is so grateful to be a part of the TLC family as the school counselor! Cat grew up in Asheville and attended Appalachian State University for her BSW, followed by Western Carolina University for her MSW. Cat is also working towards her LCSW and LCAS licensure. Cat is eager to work alongside students to navigate emotions, face challenges, explore their curiosities, and dance within the “brave zone” to grow and learn. When Cat isn’t working, she is usually frolicking in the woods, with her friends & family, or hanging out with her cat, Squash.
KATHERINE MURPHY
Program Director; Middle School Math
Katherine began her life at TLC in the fall of 2000 as a classroom teacher for grades 3/4. She enjoys leading a few middle school math classes. Ms. Katherine’s classroom is a multi-sensory, hands-on educational experience for all students. Math is taught through the use of manipulatives, games, and movement lessons. Katherine helps her students to create a rich, inquiry-based classroom, allowing each student to become fully engaged and enthusiastic about learning.
MIRANDA NORLIN
Systems Coordinator
Miranda (she/her) grew up homeschooled just north of Asheville but became aware of TLC because of family friends who were in attendance. After receiving a B.A. in Biology from Brown University, she spent several years traveling from Alaska, to California, to Maine trying different seasonal positions and discovering her love of outdoor and environmental education.
She moved back to Asheville in 2019 and is grateful to have found, in TLC, a workplace where she can teach, garden, create complex spreadsheets, and be welcomed as her whole self. She lives with her wife in Weaverville on the land she grew up on—where they take care of their chickens and work on house building.
TAYLOR NORTON
Administrative Assistant; ; Summer Camp Registrar;
Sports Coach
Taylor grew up in Virginia, where she was active in many sports including softball, volleyball, and soccer. She is a 2021 VHSL Softball 6A State Champion and went on to play Division I softball for three years.
She was a Pre-K assistant teacher at Open Arms in Virginia, where her passion for students’ growth and learning blossomed. Taylor graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in Interior Design, where she was the president of the Anime Club at WCU for three years.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring the mountains and wading in rivers, fishing for trout with her boyfriend. She also loves spending time at home playing video games alongside her two cats, Obi and Ms. Whiskers.
CHRISTOPHER POTVIN
Chess/Mathcounts Coach
Christopher teaches Math and Data Science at Warren Wilson College, which brought him and his wife Cassie to Swannanoa in 2023. Teaching chess at TLC since 2025, he gets to live out his original college plan of teaching younger students, where we work together on building, through play, life skills such as respect, critical thinking and problem solving. When he isn’t teaching, playing chess, or joyfully struggling with math puzzles, Christopher can be found volunteering, camping, baking and playing other card/board/video games.
MITZI PRENDERGAST
Kindergarten-Second Structured Literacy Specialist
Mitzi has been the lead kindergarten and first grade teacher at TLC since the fall of 2001. She has four children and her youngest is a graduate of The Learning Community School. She loves teaching our youngest students to read. Mitzi has participated in many professional development classes and workshops for both Writer’s and Reader’s Workshop as well as specific phonics and reading programs. She completed training in the multi-sensory based Orton-Gillingham language education program and is excited to have so many fun and solid strategies to bring to the K/1 classroom.
REBECCA ROBERTSON
Kindergarten/First Grade
Rebecca hails from Baltimore, MD where she worked as a Kindergarten Lead Teacher. She has worked as a teacher in various schools for over 6 years and is an integral member of the community! In addition to reading and writing in her free time, she enjoys working in her home art studio. She loves traveling with her husband and spending time outdoors to inspire her creative spirit!
ANDY UNGURIS
Outdoor Education
Andy grew up in a small Wisconsin suburb on the shores of Lake Michigan. He found an early passion for environmental education and science. At age 16, he was volunteering and teaching programs at a local Audubon nature center. Soon after, he studied environmental education and wildlife management at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Andy has taught environmental science to students of all ages, from kindergarten to college. He has worked in The Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Maine, coastal SC and Western North Carolina. He has a “hands on” approach to science and encourages his students to observe and always ask questions. He remembers how his mentors helped him and strives to pay it forward.
When not at TLC, you won’t find Andy. He is in the woods enjoying the wonders of nature
ANNA WHITE
Second/Third Math/Science
Originally from central Florida, Anna earned a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University and has since worked as an art teacher and photographer. In addition to working as a photographer, Anna has worked with local art galleries to support makers far and wide.
For Anna, creativity is a bridge to many things–learning, cultivating community, navigating the every day, and so much more. She is thrilled to share authentic and meaningful experiences in the classroom with her students.
In her free time, Anna loves to spend time outside in any capacity, draw with her beloved colored pencil set, and spend time in community.
LIZ WRIGHT
Office Coordinator; Summer Camp Director
Liz holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Business from the University of Mississippi. She first joined The Learning Community School as a substitute teacher, where she quickly discovered a passion for working with students and supporting their growth in the classroom.
Prior to working in education, Liz spent over 20 years in the wedding floral industry and has a decade of experience growing cut flowers. She brings strong organization, attention to detail, and creativity from her professional background into her work with students. As a parent, she values creating a supportive and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable, engaged, and encouraged to learn.