About Mr. Lasher

Mr. Matt Lasher was named principal at Marvin Ridge High School at the July 13, 2021, Union County Public Schools Board of Education meeting. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Lasher served as the principal at East Elementary since 2018.

Mr. Lasher began his career in education in 2002. He previously served as a Health and Physical Education teacher and coach at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. Mr. Lasher obtained his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University in 2012 and served as an Assistant Principal at Porter Ridge Middle School. In addition, Mr. Lasher served at Marvin Ridge High School since 2013 before transitioning to Monroe High in 2018.

Mr. Lasher enjoys spending time with his wife Brittany, two sons Lucas and Logan, daughters Alex and Ryan and dog Ace. He also enjoys outdoor activities, and playing and watching many different sports with his friends. 

Contact Mr. Lasher

• Phone: 704-290-1520
• Email: matt.lasher@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mr. Thomson

Mr. Thomson began his carer in education in 1997 at Sun Valley High School as a Marketing teacher. He came to Marvin Ridge in 2013 as an Assistant Principal. He completed his undergraduate degree from SUNY Fredonia and completed his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate. Mr. Thomson prides himself as a "keeper of odd knowledge". He also enjoys spending time with his wife and children and working on cars.

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Contact Mr. Thomson

• Email: david.thomson@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. Claudio

Mrs. Claudio has over 30 years of experience in education. Over the span of her career, she has served as an elementary, middle and high school teacher, as well as a high school athletic director, assistant principal, and most recently, principal of a middle school. Mrs. Claudio received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Dayton, and her Master of Educational Leadership from Radford University. 

Outside of the academic field, Mrs. Claudio has many years of coaching experience in both boys and girls sports, including baseball, softball and basketball. She is an avid runner and enjoys a good workout! When she is not at work, she is spending time with her husband Dom and her sons Mike and Vince and their wives. She is the proud Grandma of five grandchildren who keep her very busy. Mrs. Claudio's third son Bryan is a Captain in the Marine Corp and is currently on active duty. She applauds his choice to serve his country.

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Contact Mrs. Claudio

• Email: nancy.claudio@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Ms. Smith

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith grew up with her family in South Florida.  She graduated from Florida State University with a certificate in Urban and Regional Planning and a bachelor's degree in Political Science.  She married her high school sweetheart and together they have three grown children who have all started their own careers.  Mrs. Smith and her husband lived in Texas, New Jersey, and Maryland before moving to Charlotte in 2002.  While living in various parts of the country, Mrs. Smith worked as a welfare case worker, urban planner, para-legal, campaign manager and legislative aide in two state legislatures. 

In January 2004, Mrs. Smith began earning her teaching certificate and continued on to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at the University of North Carolina (UNCC).  She began teaching high school Civics and Economics and during her 12-year teaching career, she has taught many social studies courses at both the middle school and high school levels.  Mrs. Smith added the School Administration certification to her MAT in 2016 and began serving as a dean of students in the fall of 2017.  She joined Monroe High School as an assistant principal in March 2019, and Marvin Ridge High School in March 2022.

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Contact Ms. Smith

• Email: elizabethn.smith@ucps.k12.nc.us