Shannon has served as a school leader at Lake Norman Charter for over a decade (since 2010). Prior to that, she has experience as the high school principal at Lomira High School and associate principal at Baraboo High School, both schools located in her home state of Wisconsin. In addition to her administrative assignments, Shannon has six years of MS/HS classroom teaching experience (broad-field science).

Shannon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (MS/HS) from the University of Wisconsin, as well as a Master’s Degree of Education–Educational Administration. She has also earned her Ed.S. in District Administration (Superintendent), Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Special Education and Pupil Services. 

Shannon is passionate about serving the community through various organizations such as Charlotte Loaves & Fishes, Huntersville Rotary, Lake Forest Church, Hands On Charlotte, and Charlotte LoveINC.  She has been a board member of the North Carolina Coalition of Charter Schools (current), the Portage County Court Appointed Special Advocates Board & Sauk Co. Girl's & Boy's Club Board of Directors. Shannon has been recognized with the Charlotte Woman Extraordinaire award by Business Leader Magazine (2011) and as “One of the Most Powerful Women” in Lake Norman (Huntersville Herald, 2013 & 2015). She lives in Cornelius with her husband, Adam, and has a son, Ryan, a 2015 alumnus of LNC, who currently serves his country in the US Air Force as a pilot. 

Email:  SStein@lncharter.org

Craig joined Lake Norman Charter in 2015 as principal of the high school.  Prior to joining LNC, Craig served as assistant principal at Ashbrook High School (Gastonia, NC) and dean of students at Hopewell High School (Huntersville, NC). Before entering administration, he was a high school math teacher and coach at Hopewell.

Craig holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University and was an Honor Graduate when he received his M.A. in K-12 School Administration from Gardner-Webb University.  He currently serves on the Western Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors and has served as the Chairperson for the Legacy Scholarship Committee, which consists of members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, community volunteers, and WMU Staff.

In 2021, Craig was appointed to the Professional Educator Preparation and Standard Commission (PEPSC), which serves as an advising body to the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) to involve stakeholders in establishing high standards for North Carolina educators and to make rule recommendations for the SBE regarding all aspects of preparation, licensure, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators.  Craig is the first charter school representative to be selected to the commission, which was created in 2017 as a part of the passing of Senate Bill 599.

Outside of LNC, Craig is deeply involved in athletics, physical fitness and community engagement.  He regularly volunteers as an i9 Youth Sports Coach and is an active member of F3 Nation - Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith. He lives in the Highland Creek community with his wife, Melissa, and they have two children, who both attend LNC.

Email:  CSmith@lncharter.org

Please visit Principal Smith's blog here and join his Twitter feed here. 

Nick is originally from Rochester NY, where he attended St. John Fisher College and received his Bachelors in Childhood Education and Special Education.  He relocated to the Charlotte area where he earned his Masters of Arts from Gardner Webb University and was a teacher/administrator in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.  During his time in CMS he was a finalist for “Teacher of the Year” in 2007. In 2012 he took a leadership position in Kannapolis City Schools.  In his 10 years in Kannapolis, he was principal at three different schools: Jackson Park Elementary, Forest Park Elementary, and Kannapolis Middle School.  He was selected as “Principal of the Year” in 2015 for Kannapolis City Schools.  Nick joined the Lake Norman Charter staff in July of 2022.  He is excited to have an impact on the community he resides in and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Outside of school, Nick and his family are very involved in athletics.  Most of their weekends are spent at the lacrosse field where both his kids play.  Nick volunteers his time to coach middle school lacrosse at St. Mark and for the Carolina Miners.  He lives in the Davidson area with his wife, Jessica and two kids, Jacob and Lilly.  

Email:  NCarlascio@lncharter.org

Marcus is a graduate of NC School of Science and Mathematics and earned a Bachelor’s in Biology from NC Central University. He entered education in 2003 as a middle school Science teacher in Durham, NC, and eventually got his Math licensure and was able to teach both Math and Science in Raleigh, NC. While teaching in Raleigh, Marcus attended NC State University to obtain a Master’s in School Administration. He did a full-time Principal internship at C.E. Jordan in Durham and then secured an Assistant Principal position at Northwood HS in Pittsboro, NC. He spent 4 years as an Assistant Principal at East Lincoln HS. He has been a part of the LNC family since 2017. Marcus' duties include scheduling, 504’s/IEP administration, College Board testing and discipline along with assisting Mr. Smith with other high school duties. Marcus is passionate about preparing our youth for life once they leave HS.

Email: MFunchess@lncharter.org

Tyler joined the LNC family in June of 2021. He began his teaching and coaching career in Wake County Public Schools. Prior to his arrival at LNC, he served as Advanced Placement Instructional Facilitator at Ardrey Kell High School and Dean of Students at Myers Park High School in CMS. He holds degrees from University of North Carolina Greensboro (Secondary Education Psychology), University of North Carolina Charlotte (Masters School Administration) and he is currently working to obtain his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. 

Tyler is committed to advancing the middle school’s work with global diversity and inclusion, social-emotional development and high level of academic excellence for all students. His responsibilities include managing LNC’s carpool system as well as all student discipline for grades 5-8.

Email: TMavity@lncharter.org

Melanie joined Lake Norman Charter Elementary as a 2nd grade teacher during its inaugural year and began serving as the assistant principal of the elementary school in 2019. Prior to joining the LNC family, she taught in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for 16 years and served as the Director of Camp Invention at Torrence Creek and Grand Oak Elementary. Melanie holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from West Virginia State University and a Master's degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. As the assistant principal, Melanie directs the mentor/mentee program for new staff at the elementary school, directs the summer reading camp for elementary students and collaborates in developing and implementing school policies, programs, curriculum and budgets. She is committed to building positive relationships with all stakeholders and instilling a love of learning, leading and serving in children. Melanie lives in Concord with her husband, Bryan, and daughter, Makenna, who is a freshman at Lake Norman Charter School this year.  Melanie’s son is a recent graduate and is pursuing a career in landscaping.

Email: MLatza@lncharter.org

Scott was born and raised in Orange County California and relocated to the Charlotte area in 2005. He holds a certificate in electronics and is a North Carolina Licensed General Contractor as well as a licensed home inspector. Scott has 15 years experience in IT administration and over 10 years experience in construction and maintenance. His main responsibilities as Director of Facilities are to oversee building and grounds maintenance.

Email:  SAbel@lncharter.org

Lon moved to Charlotte, NC from Pittsburgh, PA in 2006.  He has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College and a graduate degree in Information Systems Management from Strayer University.  In addition to his formal education, he also holds 2 IT certifications: CompTIA Project + and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).  Lon has been in the educational industry for over 16 years, starting as a technician who worked up to a management role.  He is part of the IT team who manages the school’s technology infrastructure.  In his free time, Lon loves to participate in half/full marathons with his friends.

Email: LChang@lncharter.org

Cherié, a native of Portsmouth, VA., joined the LNC family in September 2016 after serving the students of Cumberland County for 19 years. She holds degrees from Fayetteville State University (B.S. in Psychology), UNC-Pembroke (Masters of School Administration) and East Carolina University (Doctorate of Educational Leadership). She proudly served as the middle school principal for six years and currently serves as the Director of Academics for LNC. Her primary responsibilities include directing the district-wide program of study, curriculum, instruction, vision and professional development to ensure all students have access to achieve at levels that align with future goals. She also serves as the Title IX Coordinator for the school district.

Cherié is passionate about helping all students achieve success and remains committed to maintaining LNC’s standard of academic excellence by working to enhance learning opportunities for our students. She is married and is the proud mother of twins, Logan and Nia.

Email:  CGraham@lncharter.org

Originally from Upstate New York, Lori attended the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She has over 30 years of experience working with students with special needs in both Texas and North Carolina. Her major responsibility at LNC is to oversee the Exceptional Children's program at the elementary, middle and high schools.

Email:  LHughes@lncharter.org

Sara has 18 years experience in marketing, development, communications and branding in both for-profit and non-profit entities. Born and raised in southeastern Michigan, she is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in marketing. Sara’s main responsibilities at LNC include communications, development, sponsorships, volunteer programs and relations with our families, alumni and local communities.

Email:  SLay@lncharter.org

Matt was born and raised in Webster, New York where he attended Webster Schroeder High School. Matt graduated from Greensboro College where he earned a degree in Exercise, Sports Studies. Matt joined English Lacrosse and spent one year in London as a Local Development Officer where he taught physical education courses in several elementary and high schools. Matt was also the head lacrosse coach at London University and Canterbury University. In all, Matt has over ten years of coaching experience. His major responsibility as Athletic Director is overseeing the athletic programs at both the middle and high schools.

Email: MSchlegel@lncharter.org

Hayley joined Lake Norman Charter in May 2017. Prior to joining LNC, she served as the Senior Accountant for Harris County Department of Education in Houston, TX. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s of Science in Professional Accounting from Strayer University.

Hayley has worked in the professional accounting industry for the past 12 years, specializing in governmental and not for profit. In her role as Director of Business Services, she is responsible for all aspects of the financial and accounting functions at LNC. Hayley lives in Concord with her husband Steven and two daughters Chloe and Kennedy.

Email: HWilson@lncharter.org