Becky Friend, Director of Operations
​Dr. Rebecca Friend is a career educator with experience in both traditional public and charter schools, from National Board Certified teacher to principal to board of directors.   Her administrative experience spans the elementary, middle, and high school settings and she is particularly excited to be part of a school that is growing to include K-12.  Becky is enthusiastic to learn each day and is proud to be a member of the Pioneer Springs community.  Outside of school, she enjoys time with her family, crocheting, playing the piano, and reading.
Contact: beckyf@pioneersprings.org

Erin McDonald, Founding Director of Community and Advancement
In addition to her role as co-founder of Pioneer Springs, Erin is the Founding Director of Advancement and Community. A former runner, Erin has participated in numerous Run for Your Life events, two marathons with Team in Training, the Mud Run at Rural Hill Farms, and the Ramblin’ Rose Women’s sprint Triathlon. Erin holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Erin and her significant other, Erik Giles, live in Huntersville with their children, Taylor and Harper. Erin spends her free time with her closest friends and family, creating, and traveling. Erin very much loves working with the staff to create experiences and opportunities for our students as we continue to evolve. ​
Contact: erinm@pioneersprings.org

Randolph Lewis, Founding Director of Campus Development
Randolph is a musician, potter, and writer living in Cornelius, NC.  Randolph graduated from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.  In addition to his role as co-founder of Pioneer Springs, Randolph is the Founding Director of Campus Development.  ​He takes active roles in the classrooms as Pioneer Springs’ ceramics teacher. He has served as the school’s music teacher for the first two years and is currently back in the saddle and teaching Kindergarten music. Randolph has taught classes at the Community Arts Project for ceramics for teens and adults in addition to teaching youth summer camps at the Cornelius Arts Center.  In his own work in ceramics, he specializes in bonsai containers, and his pots are featured in the bonsai collection of the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.
Contact: Randolphl@pioneersprings.org

​Glenda Cheek, Administrative Manager
 Glenda came to Pioneer Springs with experience in charter schools as the coordinator for testing, 504 and ESL.  When she is not the smiling face at the front desk, Glenda is spending time on her small farm tending to her 2 horses, donkey and pot belly pig. Glenda is a native North Carolinian, she has been married for 27 years, has 3 children and one grand baby who she loves and adores.  She appreciates the nature aspect of Pioneer Springs as well as the love and accepting nature of the staff.
Contact: Glendac@pioneersprings.org

​Lynn Curley, Student Data Manager
Lynn is “Mom” to her Middle School-aged son, living in Huntersville. Her dad a Master Chief in the Navy, Lynn spent her childhood living in beach communities around the world. Among the most interesting places she has lived, Lynn grew up in Iceland, Hawaii, Spain, and Virginia, where she learned to dance the hula, play the ukulele and piano, and speak Spanish.  After earning her B.S. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Information Technology, Lynn was hired by IBM Corporation where she was employed for many years as a software developer.  She is the co-author of two U.S. patents in the field of imaging technology. Lynn went on to earn her M.B.A. most recently at UNCC, pursued her M.A.T. in Elementary Education to support her career change in 2008 to Education.  Lynn is a licensed K-6 Elementary Education teacher, and grades 6-8 Middle School Mathematics teacher. 
Contact: Lynnc@pioneersprings.org

​Sandie Strickland, Finance and HBR ManagerSandie comes to Pioneer Springs with 11 years of experience in charter schools with duties that include: registrar, student data management, Human Resources and Office Manager.  She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 32 years.  Her son is US Air Force veteran and her father is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant.  She has three Italian greyhounds, one chihuahua and a cat. She grew up all over the world including, but not limited to, Iran and California and she attended Belmont Abbey College. She loves the mountains, hiking and four wheeling with her husband and son.  She loves that her job enables her to enjoy her love of data management and watch our students grow with self confidence. 
Contact: Sandies@pioneersprings.org

​Cindy Friday, Student Support Services
Cindy is a licensed professional counselor, as well as a licensed school counselor.  Prior to joining Pioneer Springs, she served for ten years as a high school counselor.  Cindy received her Ed.S, and M.A., in Mental Health Counseling from Gardner-Webb University, and her B.A. in Psychology from Queens University. She is a member of American Counseling Association.  Prior to her career move to counseling and education, Cindy worked in banking for sixteen years in various positions, including customer service, operations and risk management. Cindy has two sons, ages 17 and 21. She is an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter. Cindy loves being with family, reading, traveling, practicing yoga and meditation.
Contact: Cindyf@pioneersprings.org

​Annie Seier, Social Worker
Annie came to Pioneer Springs because she “loved the philosophy and the approach toward children, families, and education.”  Annie has a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her private practice, Firmly Rooted Counseling and Consulting, is located in Davidson and she continues to see clients there while also offering her services to our Pioneer students on a part-time basis.  Annie was born and raised in Davidson and while she has lived in Asheville, Athens (Georgia), and even briefly in Argentina, she has returned to her roots and currently resides in Davidson with her husband, Josh, and their two children, Kai and Oona (Pioneer Springs students).
​Contact: Annies@pioneersprings.org

​Chris Simeral, Nature Education Coordinator
Growing up in Northern Appalachia in rural eastern Ohio, Chris’ playgrounds were the forests, streams, and ponds surrounding his home.  Days were spent building forts, exploring creeks, and following animal tracks. As Chris grew older, he developed a love of agriculture and animal husbandry raising livestock including goats, sheep, and pigs. Following his passion, Chris attended The Ohio State University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education and Animal Science. After graduation, Chris served as a 4-H Youth Development Agent with the University of Kentucky for 16 years. Chris understands the importance of Experiential Learning. He believes in the power of teaching through hands-on, real world experiences. The opportunity to become a part of the Pioneer community is a dream come true for Chris. Each and every day, he gets to share his love of Nature and Animal Sciences with young Pioneers.
Contact: Chriss@pioneersprings.org

Anne Fell Yampolsky, Marketing 
Anne and her family have been a part of Pioneer Springs since 2013 and from the first day she has been in love with the mission of the school. You will often hear her describing PSCS as "more than a school" she appreciates how it challenges her to be a better parent and person.  Anne has a Master's degree in Social Work and spent many years as a therapist before taking on parenting full time.  Spending most of her upbringing by the ocean she loves all things coastal, though she also delights in a day spent in the woods. 
Contact: Annefy@pioneersprings.org