The ArtSpace Faculty:

Grade 4 through Grade 6

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Lyn VanOver (Fourth Grade) was born in Terra Haute, IN, but grew up in Chicago, IL. She received her B.A. in Biological Anthropology from the University of California at San Diego, and received a M.A.T. in Elementary Education from Spalding University. She and her husband, Staten, moved to the southeast, where Lyn worked for six years as a Naturalist/Education Director in Louisville, KY.

Lyn started with ArtSpace in 2001. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, playing the recorder, nature crafts and making stained glass art. Her main joy is spending time with her husband Staten, and their daughters, Glory and Grace.

Lyn can be contacted at lyn.vanover at artspacecharter dot org or by phone at 298-2787 ext. 609.

Erin Carr (Fourth Grade) was born in Athens, GA, but grew up in Minneapolis, MN. She has a B.A. degree in Literature from Earlham College in Richmond, IN, and a M.A.T in Secondary Language Arts from the University of St. Thomas.

Erin spent two years studying Art History and Photography at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. While in Huntington, she managed the University Art Gallery and assisted beginning photography students in mastering the delicate and precise procedures of the darkroom.

Erin was a long-term high school substitute teacher, and taught at Huntington Learning Center where, amongst other duties, she tutored small groups in preparation for state testing. In her spare time, Erin likes to watch a lot of movies, make jewelry, take photographs, read lots of books, and hang out with her husband Bryan, and her son, Liam.

Erin can be contacted at erin.carr at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2781 ext.607.

Marni R. Flanigan (Fifth Grade) was born and raised in New Jersey. She received a B.F.A. and Master of Arts Education from West Virginia University.

For five years she lived in Taos, NM, and taught at Roots-n-Wings Community School, an Expedition Learning Outward Bound Public Charter School, as well as at the Taos Charter School.

She moved to Asheville in June 2006, and joined ArtSpace in 2007. She lives with her husband, Michael, in Asheville.

Mari can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 637 or via email at marni.flanigan at artspacecharter dot org.

Bart Murray (Fifth Grade) comes from the Catskill Mountains of NY and received a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina.  He worked as an outdoor educator and a professional fundraiser before he became a teacher with Asheville City Schools.  He then worked for eight years at Black Mountain Elementary School where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year. Bart joined ArtSpace in August of 2008 and says he has found a home where creativity and passion meet professionalism.

Bart has two sons, James and Thompson, and lives happily in Buncombe County.  

Bart can be contacted at bart.murray at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 632.

John Hall (Sixth Grade) was born in Chattanooga and raised in Johnson City, TN. He moved to the Asheville area in 1991. John holds a B.A. in Humanities from Milligan College and received his teaching certification through Mars Hill College. John has been an educator since 2001. He was awarded the 2009-2010 North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year.

Prior to teaching, John founded and was the producing director of Mockingbird Theatre Productions, an adult acting company for young audiences at Pack Place. Not surprisingly, John utilizes theatrical expression in his classroom. John lives in Swannanoa with his daughter, Anna Kate, who attends ArtSpace. He still performs in the Asheville area.

 John can be contacted at john.hall at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 611.

Amy Strickland (Sixth Grade) is from Montgomery, AL. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Auburn University, where she graduated with honors. She did her student teaching in Christchurch, NZ, and has also worked and studied in Canada. She moved to Asheville in 2003, when she began teaching sixth grade math and science at ArtSpace.

She also teaches at the Fletcher School of Dance and dances professionally with the Asheville Ballet as well as ADDance. She has performed with dance companies all over the country including The Montgomery Ballet, The Alabama Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico of New York, The Auburn Ballet, and The Southern Ballet located in Christchurch, NZ. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, painting, watching movies, spending time with friends, family and her border collie, Cassidy.

Amy can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 612 or via email at amy.strickland at artspacecharter dot org.

Beth Lexa (Seventh & Eighth Grade Language Arts) joined ArtSpace in August 2008. Most recently she was the drama teacher at East McDowell Junior High School in Marion, NC. Before moving to western North Carolina, she worked as a teaching artist with Reading in Motion in Chicago and was a Teach for America member in LaPlace, LA. Beth has a M.A. in Theatre Arts and is licensed to teach Language Arts, Special Education, and Drama. When she is not at school, she enjoys playing with blocks and listening to music with her son and husband.

 Beth can be contacted at beth.lexa at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 631.

Becky Hobden (Seventh & Eighth Grade Math) was born in New Orleans, and received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan College in New York. She worked with Americorps in the Portland Public School System prior to moving to Asheville three years ago. She previously worked with the Asheville City School system and joined ArtSpace in August 2008.

Becky can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 636 or via email at becky.hobden at artspacecharter dot org.

Kevin Fitzgerald (Seventh & Eighth Grade Social Studies and Math) was born in Durham and has lived throughout NC. He received a B.A. in Elementary Education and History from UNC at Chapel Hill, where he was a NC Teaching Fellow. Kevin taught in the Durham Public School system before moving to the Asheville area. He joined ArtSpace in 2004. Kevin's artistic yearnings find satisfaction in drama, especially voice acting and singing. He lives with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Faith.

 Kevin can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 613 or via email at kevin.fitzgerald at artspacecharter dot org.

Christa Woodlief (Seventh & Eighth Grade Science) was raised in the low country of South Carolina. She received her B.S. in Science Teaching from Clemson University and was awarded her Masters in Education in June 2007. She has taught in South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Christa joined ArtSpace in 2006.

Christa is passionate about horses and teaches riding at her home. She likes spending time with her family of pets including a Great Dane, a Chihuahua, pygmy goats, horses and a classroom turtle named George.

Christa can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 614 or via email at christa.woodlief at artspacecharter dot org.

Eric Oaks (Seventh Grade Social Studies/EC Assistant) was born in Tennessee where he attended Middle Tennessee State University receiving a B.S. in Sociology and a B.A. in History, and Educational Certification for middle and high school students. Eric began working with the EC Department at ArtSpace in 2007 and in 2009 he began teaching seventh grade Social Studies.

In addition to his numerous academic interests, Eric also enjoys watching old movies, cooking, traveling, and music. Eric has performed in many musical groups as a bass player, guitarist, and vocalist playing a diverse range of music in many styles and genres.  Eric currently lives in West Asheville with his wife, Katie.

Eric can be contacted at 298-2787 ext.640 or via email at eric.oaks at artspacecharter dot org.

Heather Cherrier (Seventh Grade Language Arts/First Grade Teacher Assistant) was born and raised in New Hampshire.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in English and teaching certificate from Keene State College. In March 2007, she moved to Asheville and became certified to teach grades 6-12 in North Carolina.  In 2008-2009, she participated in North Carolina Outward Bound's Educator's Initiative. 

Heather enjoys hiking in the mountains around Asheville and watching live music.  She is also an avid reader who cannot walk into a bookstore without adding to her large, and ever-growing, collection of books.

Heather can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 619 or via email at heather.cherrier at artspacecharter dot org.

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