Where Learning is an Adventure!

Jo Smith, Director and General Troublemaker

Jo began teaching Adventure PE in 2004. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Warren Wilson College. She also studied Outdoor Education at Unity College in Maine and attended an 81-day semester course with Colorado Outward Bound School.

This class gave her leadership experience in rock climbing, canyoneering, boating, ice climbing, skiing, winter camping, and group process. With her teaching experience in the classroom, she brings academics into the world of physical education. Jo’s goal is to expose students to learning situations through physical activity. 

She was named Teacher of the Year in 2008 and has served on the Health & Wellness Committee, Tech Committee, Board of Directors, and volunteers with Special Olympics.  Together with her husband, Kevin Smith, they enjoy outdoor sports, travel, and raising their beautiful son Brodie.

Adam Silverberg, EverAfter Associate Director
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173 x 236
FAX: 828-298-2269

Adam is kind, compassionate, wise, and extremely fun. He earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science at the University of Florida, and worked as a veterinary technician and animal rehabilitator for 14 years.  His studies led him to massage and bodywork therapy, where he has devoted 13 years to private practice, teaching, and administration. 
Adam brings his passions for nature, science, animals, and people through everything he does.  His gift for humor keeps the fun rolling with his beautiful love, Julie, and their amazing son, Boone (aka. the absolute coolest little boy in the world). Adam is the proud older brother of Evergreen teacher Marni Fruge.

James Wilson, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

James has a BA in Psychology and a K-6 teaching certification. He has experience as a one-on-one teacher for children with autism, summer camp coordinator, and after-school program supervision.

Lauren Bursky, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Lauren moved to North Carolina from Upper Nyack, New York five years ago.  She has spent a great part of her life as a professional singer and pop recording artist for radio and TV where she recorded and performed under the name of Lauren Hollister.  In addition to performing, Lauren also taught vocal techniques in both classical and pop voice to students pursuing careers in Opera and on Broadway. 

In the last few years she has been involved in pursuing another passion: the design of fused, stained and mosaic glass art pieces.  Her art has been sold in boutiques in New York City as well as in North Carolina.  Having enjoyed many years of dancing, gymnastics, and fitness training as well as serving as a swim instructor and diving coach, Lauren worked for two years as the gym teacher at the Blue Rock School in New York which also included responsibility for the school’s games and sports activities at their summer day camp. 

Her love and enthusiasm for children, art, music and all forms of exercise make her a great addition to "The Ever After Clubs" at the Evergreen School.  Lauren and her husband Jay have three terrific children: Jeremy age 25, Mikell age 22 and Kira age 15, who graduated from Evergreen two years ago.

Jamal Jabali, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Jamal earned Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Chicago in journalism and pre-law.  He has had extensive experience with children with autism and disadvantaged backgrounds. He has also owned and published a bi-monthly magazine for several years. Jamal had a brief career as pro tennis player, traveling and playing around the world.

Fynn Crooks, PAL Teacher and EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Fynn is working on her Masters degree in Reading Education and Story Telling at East Tennessee State University. Her experience ranges from teaching gifted children in a summer extension program to professional story telling. She is PAL Coordinator, working in the EverAfter program and running the Odyssey of the Mind Team.

Joanna Bass, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Joanna recently moved to Asheville from Charlottesville, Virginia.  She has a Masters in Teaching from the University of Virginia and is certified to teach grades K-6.  Prior to moving to North Carolina, Joanna taught kindergarten for two years.  She has also worked as a first grade assistant and as an interim second grade teacher.   She is currently tutoring, in addition to working at Evergreen.  In her free time, Joanna runs, hikes, travels and spends time with friends and her dog, Lola.

Candice Cryan, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Candice has a K-6 teacher license from the University of North Carolina Asheville and a BA in English from Monmouth University in New Jersey. In addition to EverAfter she works at St. Paul’s preschool in North Asheville. She is grateful to be a part of the Evergreen community.

Robin Lenner, EverAfter Staff
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
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Phone: 828-298-2173
FAX: 828-298-2269

Robin has a BA in Elementary Education from Warren Wilson College. She originally hails from New York City and has lived primarily in Western North Carolina for the last ten years, with occasional stops in Vermont's Green Mountains to hike or work in the backcountry.  Over the last six years she has worked in the Great Smoky Mountain NP teaching K-8 natural and cultural history programs, working with a non-profit teaching outdoor education and life skills to youth in the five most western counties of NC, running a small CSA, and serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Warren Wilson College's Service Learning Office. She is thrilled to be a new member of the EverAfter team!