Team — Thinking, Learning, Coaching

Melba Johnson—

Experienced high school English teacher (32 years) and 26-year national K–12 literacy consultant for M. E. Johnson Consulting and Thinking, Learning, Coaching. She has led K–12 PD and presented at national conferences. Named North Carolina English Teacher of the Year (1997). Co-author of Write…for the Future (middle/high writing across the curriculum using Thinking Maps) and Thinking Maps: Critical Reading and Writing for PSAT, SAT, and ACT, with an Instructor’s Guide using Thinking Maps for vocabulary, reading, and writing.

Melba opened the original TLC in August 2020, a “safe haven” for students; satellites opened at Riverview Community Center (August 2025) and Wilkes County (March 2026). Dedicated to improving students’ academics and self-confidence.

Creator and Director

Lori Hensley —

Retired from Ashe County Schools in 2023 and currently working as a Family Support Specialist with the Partnership of Ashe. I attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education and k-12 reading. During her 29 year tenure, she taught kindergarten, first, third, and sixth grades. Also served as a Literacy Specialist and received a certification in the Wilson Reading Program in 2004.

“All students can be successful when given the support they need. I look forward to seeing your child succeed.”

Tutor

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Barbara Heufel —

Barbara has taught at Mountain View Elementary School for the past eighteen years in grades 2-4 with most of her career in third grade. Graduated from Appalachian State University in 2006 after a successful career in business and retail management. With her teaching style being very structured, she’s extremely passionate about education and student success.

TLC has offered her the opportunity to personalize each student’s needs and to assist him/her in academic growth and personal/professional achievements.

Alecia Giles —

Tutor

Alecia has worked in the Ashe County School system for 25 years. This is her ninth year as an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Ashe County Middle School. Currently teaching seventh grade Language Arts and Math. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education - General Curriculum from East Carolina University, and additional certifications in Middle Grades Language Arts, Middle Grades Math, and K-12 Reading Instruction. In 2019, she obtained a Master’s degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in English. Alecia is a trained instructor of the NCSIP Course, Reading Research to Classroom Practice, providing professional development for teachers in Ashe and surrounding counties in the northwest region of North Carolina.

“I love helping students reach their full potential, and I want them to see the importance of becoming life-long learners. We all come from different places and have different experiences - that’s what makes us who we are. Everyone has a different story, and everyone’s story matters!”

Jennifer Lacy

Tutor

Retired elementary educator as of June 2024. Jennifer is a graduate of Watauga County Schools, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in 1993. She pursued and earned her National Board Certification in 2007 with renewal in 2017. Upon retirement, Jennifer obtained her lifetime teaching license, that would allow her to continue helping students learn and grow. Her teaching career began in 1995 when she took on the role of teacher assistant in second and third grades for two years at Blowing Rock School. She was hired to take over as the third grade teacher’s classroom at Parkway School upon her retirement in 1997. Full circle moment for her! Starting with the next school year, she dedicated 26 of her 29 years to teaching awesome fourth graders at Parkway School in the same classroom in which she was a fourth-grade student. Now, one of her former students teaches fourth graders in the same place! Another full circle moment for her!

Allie Shoemake —

Tutor

Allie joined the TLC (Thinking, Learning, Coaching) staff in a part-time tutoring position for students living in Ashe County, NC and surrounding areas. As a hard-working, driven, and dedicated teacher with eighteen years of experience in the education field—and even more years of overall experience working with children— she’s passionate about supporting student growth at all levels. With a long history of tutoring experience and having worked with students ranging from toddlers to high school. She also holds a specialist degree as a middle childhood generalist, which allows her to provide targeted, effective support for student learners of varied ages and instructional or content needs. Her goal is to continually support children in the High Country with access to a rich education, leading to academic success and further progression toward lifelong goals.

Tutor

Matt Raisig —

Matt has been a math and computer science teacher at Ashe County High School for 10 years, with experience in teaching Math 1,2,3, and Discrete Mathematics. Has been of assistance to students with every course up to calculus over the past few years at both the high school and at TLC. Computer science is a recent addition to his certifications, and has had the opportunity to teach it over the last couple of years. Native of North Carolina, born in the beautiful capital city of Raleigh. After graduating high school , he attended Appalachian State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics education. Since 2015, Matt has been teaching at Ashe County High School.

“At TLC, I look forward to interacting with students with whom I possibly would not have had an opportunity to meet in the normal school setting.”

Ashley Frye —

Tutor

“As one joins our little house of learning, he/she will discover a family filled with a diverse wealth of knowledge and experience. I am a product of the confidence, connections, and resource building nexus found at TLC.”

Ashley works students to differentiate their learning styles in math and science at all grade levels, including college level courses. With a philosophy that learning is only possible if the teacher adapts to the students’ needs, she’s devoted myself to the expiration of every avenue of teaching new skills, either through playing games to instill a new skill or experimenting with concepts using the world around us. She is a degreed educator in both science and the arts, with extended education in advanced mathematics. Striving to guide students to a deeper and more concrete understanding in any subject matter. Being a native of Ashe County, she holds a strong desire to see its people flourish.

Melissa Parker —

Tutor

Melissa strongly believes that K–6 math, reading, and science teaching relies on strong student relationships and a responsive, student-centered approach. Teachers foster trust and a growth mindset by making classrooms safe, inclusive, and curious—where mistakes are learning opportunities. Through diagnostics, small groups, and rich discussions they identify and remediate specific gaps while building critical thinking and confidence. Differentiated tasks, culturally relevant materials, and regular review ensure access to core ideas. Personal connections—reflection, dialogue, celebration—turn lessons into shared discovery and growth. She is currently teaching 5th-grade Math at Mountain View Elementary School. Has previously worked for various school districts: Caldwell County, Hickory City, Newton-Conover City Schools, and Ashe County. This will be her fifth year at MVES. She has taught Kindergarten through fifth grades.

April Wyche —

Tutor

Our Team