Faculty & Staff

List of 13 members.

• 

  Jennifer M Beasley 

  Hanger Hall School

  Director of Student Life

  Bio

  I have been working here at Hanger Hall since 2014 and feel lucky to be surrounded by such dedicated, caring people!  I also love that my job feels different every day.  I wear a lot of hats here and get to work with both wonderful parent volunteers and with students. The best part of my job is getting to plan and go on class trips! I also plan many of our school’s events and fundraisers and take students on volunteer outings in our community.

  
  

  I graduated from UNC-CH (Go Heels!) and while there, I focused my studies on communications and the environment.  In one way or another, I have been an educator since graduating. I have been lucky enough to work with youth in many different fields, including teaching environmental education to middle school students in California, leading backpacking trips in Washington, and running an after-school program here in Asheville.

  
  

  In my free time I love reading, gardening, biking, swimming, running, seeing live music, and spending time in the beautiful mountains surrounding our sweet little city. I have three daughters that keep me wonderfully busy, and I love to play outside with them whenever possible.
• 

  Brigitta Catoe 

  Hanger Hall School

  Asst Head of School
• 

  Katie Conner 

  Hanger Hall School

  Humanities/Spanish Teacher

  Bio

  I teach 6th grade Humanities and 6th-8th grade Spanish here at Hanger Hall.  I have been with the school since 2005 and am thrilled to have witnessed so much positive change and growth over the years!

  
  

  I grew up in Maryland as the youngest of my 4 red-headed siblings. I came to North Carolina straight out of high school to attend WCU and immediately knew this area was where I wanted to settle down. But a few years later, my then-boyfriend, Casey and I moved out to Lake Tahoe, California for one winter of snowboarding and ended up staying for four years! It was out there that we were married and welcomed our first daughter, Eleanor, in 2002. We soon moved back east and settled in Swannanoa. Our next daughter, Violet, was born in 2006 and Lucille in 2009.

  
  

  My Spanish degree comes from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, our neighbor! I enjoy using connections at UNCA to offer even more exciting opportunities for my Spanish and Humanities students.

  
  

  I love working with these amazing girls! My favorite part of teaching at Hanger Hall is how the girls stay in my class for three years. It is so fulfilling to watch these little girls grow academically and personally into incredible women right before our eyes.
• 

  Kizzi Danh 

  Hanger Hall School

  Math Teacher

  8282583600

  Bio

  Kizzi (Barton) Danh has been teaching math at Hanger Hall since November of 2009. Kizzi thinks that math is extremely fun and useful and she absolutely loves teaching girls how to be successful math students.  She loves to create connections between what students are learning from the textbook and what is happening in the real world.  Girls are encouraged to sharpen the tools in their math tool belt so that they are well prepared to approach various problems in life with confidence.
  
  Kizzi grew up in a small ski town in Vermont in a house built by her ancestors in 1789. She always knew that she was interested in education, so she chose to attend Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. Kizzi focused her studies on public health and science education, but upon graduating decided that she needed a few adventures before she began her career as a teacher. 

  
  

  The first adventure led Kizzi to Chicago for several years where she managed restaurants and coordinated corporate hospitality at major sporting events.  Her next adventure was a return to her hometown where she taught math and science for 3 years at a private ski and snowboard academy.  After 28 years of living in the North, it was time for a southern adventure, and luckily, Kizzi found her way to Asheville. She and her husband, Andy, fell in love with Asheville, and were married here in the spring of 2011. They welcomed their daughter Cora in 2013 and she is looking forward to becoming a Hanger Hall girl in a few years.

  
  

  Kizzi has developed a solid math curriculum that effectively addresses the varying needs of all students.  In addition to addressing the Common Core standards, Kizzi teaches students about organization, problem solving, note taking, and preparing for tests and quizzes.  Kizzi loves to use fun tricks to remember things in math, so you will often hear singing or see beautiful artwork coming from the math room.

  
  In 6th grade math, the focus is on solidifying arithmetic foundations and skills.  The 7th grade curriculum delves into pre-algebra with some really fun units on geometry and trigonometry.  All students in the 8th grade take Math I; at the end of the year Kizzi gives individual recommendations for high school math.  For students who like additional challenges, Hanger Hall competes in the state high school mathematics competition for Math I.  The math team meets with Kizzi throughout the year to prepare for this springtime competition held at Western Carolina University.
  
• 

  Jamie Hammond 

  Hanger Hall School

  Grammar/Humanities Teacher

  Bio

  Hello current and future Hanger Hall families!  My name is Jamie Hammond and I teach 7th and 8th grade Humanities and Grammar for all grades.

  
  

  I have lived almost my entire life in North Carolina. In 7th grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD and my parents signed me up with a therapist who was specially trained to help children with ADHD.  Although it wasn’t until college that I fully applied what I learned from her, it was a very powerful and empowering experience, and was pivotal in my decision to become an educator.

  
  

  I received my degrees in English and Secondary Education from Guilford College (Go Quakers!), moved to Asheville… and couldn’t find a job. I saw an ad in the paper for Hanger Hall and met Howard and his daughters Windsor and Kelsey.  I came on in Hanger Hall’s second year. It has been rewarding and a great joy to assist and observe the growth and success of the school.  I took a year off for the birth of my daughter Emma and came back to Hanger Hall with renewed energy and dedication to the school.  There is not another job that I could consider at this point.  Hanger Hall is my home and my passion, and I eagerly await the new school year and the new relationships that are waiting to develop!  I can’t wait to get to know you better! 
• 

  Katie Langwell 

  Hanger Hall School

  French & Drama Teacher

  Bio

  Katie Langwell has been teaching drama and French at Hanger Hall since 2007 has one of the best jobs in the world.  

  
  

  Katie grew up in Atlanta and went to University of Richmond, VA where she double-majored in French and Theatre.  After working for a theatre company in Richmond, freelancing as script supervisor in film production, and sneaking off to France whenever she could, she decided to hop a train and head to New York City.  While there, Katie helped run a theatre company, worked for HBO, and performed in many plays.  She also directed, wrote and performed for an all-women sketch comedy group.

  
  

  In Katie’s French classes, students perform skits, sing songs, create magazines, go on strike, belt out the national anthem, taste new foods, create weather reports, hold fashion shows, and play games!  Katie believes that the more fun her students have, the more they will learn.  The material becomes more challenging as students progress and by the time they leave Hanger Hall, most are able to start in French 2 in high school.

  
  

  In Drama, Katie’s classes are great for unleashing energy.  Through games, skits and improvisation, Katie works with the girls on becoming more comfortable in front of a group.  The girls all have a chance to “perform” in class every week and there is usually a lot of laughter.

  
  

  Many years, Katie also directs a school play and everyone is invited to participate.  Rather than focusing on a show that may feature one or two students, Katie tries to create shows where everyone has a chance to shine, and students are introduced to the idea of working together to create a fun evening of theater.  
• 

  Juliette MacNamara 

  Hanger Hall School

  School Counselor

  Bio

  I am so excited to be working part-time at Hanger Hall as the school counselor. I have lived in Asheville for a little under 10 years. I moved to the area in 2010 after graduating from Wake Forest with a Master’s degree in Psychology.   I attended Indiana University for my undergraduate degree and earned a BS in Psychology.

  
  

  When I moved to the area in 2010, I began working in direct care with adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. I continued to work in community mental health until returning to school to complete my MSW and earn my licensure as a Clinical Social Worker. The past three years, I have worked at an all girls therapeutic boarding school. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and I am passionate about working with young women who need support in coping with the challenges that accompany adolescence and the transition to becoming a successful young adult.

  
  

  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets. I also enjoy spending time outside by mountain biking and hiking with my dog.
• 

  Isabelle Marshall 

  Hanger Hall School

  Music Teacher

  Bio

  I am so excited to be joining the Hanger Hall community teaching music. I look forward to sharing my love of singing, performance, and making music with students.
  
  I was raised in Seattle, Washington, and was drawn to music and art from a young age. After dinner concerts with my sister were a regular occurrence for our family. In middle and high school, I enthusiastically pursued singing and acting. I performed with my schools’ Vocal Jazz and Concert Choirs and toured and competed around the country. Musical theater and drama were also a highlight, culminating with my role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray! At Bard College I majored in Studio Art. There I incorporated singing, music and live performance into my projects. During and after college I also enjoyed performing with several bands as a vocalist.
  
  After graduating I dove into the world of teaching. My parents are both teachers, and I grew up assisting in their classrooms and camps. To move into teaching was a natural step for me. The excitement of learning together and building connections with students was compelling. I moved to New York City where I worked as an arts educator and artist. A few years into living in NYC I met my partner Estelle, who grew up in Asheville and attended Hanger Hall over fifteen years ago. We moved to Asheville, switching apartment living for a big backyard.
  
  In my free time I travel, cook yummy food, and enjoy time with family and friends. As a multimedia artist, I create projects that combine music, movement and visuals. At Hanger Hall I will bring an exploratory and interdisciplinary approach to the music classroom. I look forward to being part of Hanger Hall’s vibrant learning community.
• 

  Katie  Nicholson 

  Hanger Hall School

  Athletics Teacher

  Bio

  Hello! My name is Katie and I teach athletics. I am originally from a small beach town in Florida, but I quickly fell in love with the mountains of western North Carolina when I moved to Asheville in 2019. I graduated from University of North Florida in 2018. Since then, I have spent time working on a high ropes course, coaching volleyball, in wilderness therapy and instructing yoga and group fitness. I am thrilled to be here at Hanger Hall for it will be an opportunity to spread my passion for activities and games. My main goal for the students within athletics class is to build their confidence within their physical abilities and facilitate a love for athletics. I simply want to create a safe environment for them to play and bond with one another. In my free time you can usually catch me outdoors with my husband Joe and our dog Stella. My hobbies include running, yoga, hiking, rafting, volleyball and pottery. 
• 

  Beth Ripley 

  Hanger Hall School

  Science Teacher

  828-256-3800

  Bio

  I am so excited to introduce myself to the Hanger Hall community. I began my journey with Hanger Hall in January 2008 as the math teacher.  While I loved teaching math, I knew I found my perfect fit when I became the science teacher in 2009.  My passion is in the sciences, but I love introducing the undeniable relationship between math and science to my students (especially when teaching physics)! I am thrilled to live in the Asheville area and work at this incredible school.  

   

  I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and have always loved the outdoors. I love to get outside to camp, trail run, mountain bike, and paddle board. My science background includes a B.S. in environmental science and a minor in biology from UNC-Chapel Hill.  I also have a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston.  My work experiences include being an outdoor environmental educator in the state of Washington, a field biologist with a sea turtle monitoring program in Hawaii, a wilderness therapy instructor in western North Carolina, and a researcher for the USDA-Forest Service in Charleston, South Carolina.

   

  One of my favorite things about the middle school curriculum is the wide variety of topics covered including astronomy, human biology, environmental science, and chemistry--just to name a few!  We will be delving into the scientific method right away with many exciting experiments. Part of science and the scientific method is asking questions, and I encourage my students to do the same. Each student will learn how to write a scientific paper after creating an original hypothesis. Every year, several Hanger Hall students submit their papers to a panel of judges to compete in the regional and often the state STEM competition. My students should expect to get outside since we will be taking advantage of the nearby botanical gardens and creek across the street. 
• 

  Jennifer Schoolfield  

  Hanger Hall School

  Head of School

  Bio

  I am so thrilled to have landed here at Hanger Hall! It is such a fantastic and dynamic place to be. I moved to Asheville with my family in September 2018 after having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 19 years.  My husband, Tom, and I are both from the East Coast originally (Tom is from upstate NY, and I am from outside of DC and PA).  We knew that we wanted to be closer to our respective families so that our daughter, Louise (Lou), could have more opportunities to see them as she grows up.  We had visited Asheville many times as we have great friends that live here and fell in love with the mountains, the rivers, the music and all that living here offers.

  
  

  Previous to working at Hanger Hall, I primarily worked at schools serving students diagnosed with learning differences. I was most recently the Assistant Head of School at Compass High School in San Mateo, CA.  In addition, I have a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and have enjoyed working with students (and their parents!) on post-secondary pursuits in a small private practice.   My undergraduate years were spent at UNC-Chapel Hill and this is where my love for NC began. GO HEELS! 

  
  

  Having attended an all girl school from 3rd through 10th grade, I can attest to the incredible foundation that this type of schooling provided me.  Now as an educator and administrator, I have always hoped that I could find my way to an all girls school that shared my beliefs in educating the whole child.  I have found that Hanger Hall not only leads with a strong focus on academics but also focuses intently on nurturing the social-emotional development of all its students.  

  
  

  I look forward to seeing you around campus, and please feel free to pop by my office any time!
• 

  Christie Stilwell 

  Bio

  I am so grateful to be joining the Hanger Hall team this year as the Admissions and Marketing Director. I am new to Asheville, but I have visited many times throughout the past 10 years with my husband Ken. We love the energy of this mountain town and knew that we needed to share it with our 2 small children, Xavier and Delilah, once they became school age.

   

  My professional history in education is nearly 20 years long, but my big love for education really started in my youth as the child of 2 dedicated teachers. At Michigan State, I earned a BA in English and an MA in Teaching and Curriculum, and I began serving students at the high school level as an English teacher. Since then, I have been lucky to work with students in a variety of settings– a large public school, a community charter school, a small private school, in home education, and now here at Hanger Hall! I'm proud of so much of the experience that I've garnered, but what really lights my soul on fire when I talk about working in schools is the human connection. I enjoy getting to know students on a meaningful level and helping to empower them to pursue their passions in life. I am so excited that in my new role I will be able to similarly connect with families and the community.

   

  In my free time, I enjoy yoga, reading, and of course, playing with my 2 sweet kids.

   

  I look forward to sharing more about myself and getting to know each of you. Please feel free to reach out any time.
• 

  Shawn Winebrenner 

  Hanger Hall School

  Art Teacher

  Bio

  I’m a middle child that discovered the magic of art early in life and just never let go. It grounds me, inspires me, motivates me, challenges me, and continuously reminds me how beautiful the gift of life really is. I’m lucky that so much of what I’ve done in my life has been connected to the arts. 

   

  I was born in Washington D.C. but my formative years were spent in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ve now called these beautiful Western North Carolina mountains home for almost fifteen years. My husband and I are both service-oriented individuals who wholeheartedly believe in helping to build and support inclusive communities in which everyone can thrive. We’re parents to two black cats, brother and sister Lys and Lucem, who offer endless hours of entertainment, unconditional love, and random bouts of mischief. 

   

  Put simply, I absolutely love being an art educator! I truly believe the classroom is where I’m meant to be. My focus has always been to provide nurturing spaces that allow for the exploration of self and encouragement of individuals to embrace creativity so they may recognize the beauty within themselves and shine their brightest!

   

  My educational experience includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in

  photography + Art K-12 teaching licensure from the University of North Carolina Asheville as well as a Visual Communications/Graphic Design degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

   

  When not teaching, I’m a practicing artist (varying mediums), an activist and supporter of social justice causes - equity and equality, experiencing live music, learning to play acoustic guitar, and reading autobiographies.

   

  One of my favorite places is Washington Square Park in NYC.  

   

  I believe that kindness is everything and that love is all that truly matters.