Our Team!

Tanya Jennings, Owner

Tanya moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina in 2010 from South Carolina, where she gained experience in teaching and early childhood development. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from The University of South Carolina in 2004.  She began her work as an Early Childhood professional in 2005 at an integrated arts school in Columbia, South Carolina. She has experience teaching Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, as well as serving as a Parent Educator and program coordinator for a state-accredited family literacy program. Tanya has a passion for parenting and a deep love of young children. She looks forward to living out her dream of creating a community of parents and children who learn and grow together. Tanya resides in Weaverville with her husband of 14 years and their 2 young sons.

Jamie DePoy

Jamie moved to the Asheville area in 2009 from Michigan, where she had been actively engaged in early childhood education in both private and public academic settings.  Jamie graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2003 obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Education and in English, solidifying her Teaching License in elementary education. Jamie's passions include spending time with her family, photography, and volunteering in the children's ministry at Exodus Church.  Jamie helps to create the developmental curriculum at The Tree House and will also be teaching these ideas to parents and children throughout weekly classes.  She has been married to her husband, Jay, for ten years and together they have three daughters, ages 7,4, and 1. To read more about Jamie's life experiences as a mom, follow her blog at http://raisingthegirls.blogspot.com.

Pia Cash

A citizen of both Finland and the United States, Pia Cash was raised in Atlanta, Charlotte, Montreal and Turku, Finland before obtaining a bachelors’ degree in Art Education at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  Since her graduation from college in 2004, Pia has taught in public schools, private schools and community arts organizations in many different areas. Her experience ranges from early childhood education to middle and high school art, and she currently holds a license in art education in both New Mexico and North Carolina.  After spending five years living and teaching near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Pia and her husband returned to his hometown of Asheville and are raising their daughter on a small farm in Madison County.  In addition to her love of art, Pia’s interests include animal welfare, live music and working in her garden. She is excited to share her enthusiasm for creating meaningful art experiences and educational play opportunities with children. Pia teaches art classes as well as other child development classes at the Tree House.