The ArtSpace Faculty:

Exceptional Children's Department

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Heather Garrido (Elementary EC Coordinator) was born in Bronx, NY. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology and a M.S. in Special Education and Migrant/Multicultural Education from the State University of New York.

Heather began her teaching career as a family/school liaison and tutor for children of migrant farm workers. She has since taught Head Start, English as a Second Language and Special Education in various settings.

Heather's artistic passions include poetry, drawing, folk crafts and photography. When she is not teaching she enjoys working on her biodynamic garden in the hills of Madison County.

Heather can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 306 or via email at heather.garrido at artspacecharter dot org.

Vanessa Marsden (Middle School EC Coordinator) was born in Stockport, England. She graduated with a B.A. in English (minor in Art) from Appalachian State. She obtained her teaching certificate in Special Education/K-12 through Western Carolina University. Vanessa worked for six years in the U.S. Coast Guard; three of those six years Vanessa worked as a Marine Science Technician. After gaining her teaching certification, she was a Special Education teacher in McDowell County Schools at the high school and elementary school levels for four years.

Vanessa is a painter and enjoys watercolors and acrylics. She makes cards and pictures to commemorate special occasions, plays the guitar, hikes and bikes and travels as much as possible. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Vanessa can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 305 or via email at vanessa.marsden at artspacecharter dot org.

Doug Ward (EC Teacher) was born and raised in Ohio. He earned his B.A. in Special Education and M.A. in Special Education (severe/profound disabilities) from Western North Carolina. For three years he worked in the Jackson County Public School System teaching students with severe disabilities. He joined ArtSpace in September 2008. Doug lives in Whittier with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alyssa, two dogs and three cats. He enjoys hiking with his dogs, reading and watching video on the "internet tubes."

Doug can be contacted at 298-2787 ext 648 or via email at doug.ward at artspacecharter dot org.

Kate Shelton (EC Teaching Assistant) hails from East Tennessee region, but claims roots from Long Island to England. She joined ArtSpace in 2009 to complete her graduate studies in Special Education from Western Carolina University. Her undergraduate B.A., from Earlham College, focused on Peace and Global Studies and Ceramics. She currently lives in West Asheville where she has bees and chickens.

Kate can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 625 or via email at kate.shelton at artspacecharter dot org.

Gail Forsyth

Gail also runs a private practice as a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist. When not providing therapy of one sort or another, Gail enjoys singing with two musical groups. She is also an avid photographer, gardener, world traveler and cat lover.

Gail can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 629 or via email at gail.forsyth at artspacecharter dot org.

Dede Keasler (EC Assistant) is a native of North Carolina and has lived in Asheville for nine years. She spent 12 years in the Wake County school system serving in several different capacities. In Asheville she worked in Retail Management. She joined ArtSpace at the beginning of 2008 as an EC Assistant and is glad to be back in education.

Dede can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 622 or at dede.keasler at artspacecharter dot org.

Connie Olson (EC Assistant) was born in Minnesota and raised in CA and FL. She earned her B.A. in Special Education from Florida State University followed by a year of graduate study for her certification in Learning Disabilities. Connie taught Special Education classes for three years and then took a sabbatical to home school her two sons and daughter.

Connie joined ArtSpace in 2003. Her interests include reading, gardening, sewing and teaching English as a Second Language. Connie lives with her husband, Ed, in Swannanoa.

Connie can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. or via email at 627 connie.olson at artspacecharter dot org.

Holly deSaillan (EC Assistant) received an A.A. in Early Childhood Education from Aims Community College and a B.A. in Visual Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. She joined ArtSpace in 2003.

She is a professional artist and maintains her studio in the river district where she also teaches art to adults and children.

Holly can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 624 or via email at holly.desaillan 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.

Shaun O'Connor (EC Assistant) graduated Warren Wilson College with a degree in outdoor leadership. He initially worked as a wilderness therapy counselor prior joining ArtSpace in 2008. Shaun lives in Asheville and enjoys hiking, sports, swimming; basically anything outside.

Shaun can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 649 or via email at shaun.o'connor at artspacecharter dot org.

Hal Smith (EC Assistant and Building Manager) was born in Miami. He received his B.A. in English and History from Wofford College. He initially worked for the Department of Social Services and then moved into a career in computer programming, where he was a Senior Systems Analyst in charge of 400 analysts and programmers.

Hal moved to the Asheville area in 1992. For more than a decade he has coached about 40-50 different soccer teams spanning all age groups. Hal has two older children, Ballin and Rachel.

Hal can be contacted at hal.smith at artspacecharter dot org or at 298-2787 ext. 618.

Vicki Duchac (Academically Gifted Coordinator/EC Assistant) was born in New Zealand and taught all over the world. She received her equivalent M.S. degree in Elementary Education from Christchurch College and taught English for three years in Seoul. She also taught two years in inner city schools in the UK. She moved to WNC in 2008 and earned her N.C. teaching license. She joined ArtSpace in 2009.

She enjoys biking, traveling and exploring. She volunteers at MANNA foodbank and is a tutor with the Buncombe County Literacy Council.

Vicki can be contacted at 298-2787 ext. 643 or via email at vicki.duchac at artspacecharter dot org.

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