Our Team

• Administration and Student Support
• Grade-Level Teaching Teams
• Exceptional Students Teaching Teams
• Connects (Enrichment) Teaching Team
• Board of Trustees

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Rebecca Friend, Executive Director
​Dr. Friend is a career educator with experience in both traditional public and charter schools. She joined Pioneer Springs in 2016, bringing a wealth of administrative experience spanning the elementary, middle, and high school levels in traditional public and charter schools.  Dr. Friend holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art History from Wake Forest University, a Master of Arts in English Education from Gardner-Webb University, an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Converse College, and an Ed.D. from the University of the Cumberlands. 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 lives in Huntersville with her 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

Audie McGinnis, Dean of Academics
Audie grew up in Gaston County, NC and graduated from Appalachian State University.  He was a classroom teacher for 11 years prior to coming to Pioneer Springs.  Audie has worked in both charter and public schools, and taught 9th, 10th, and 11th grade English, as well as AP courses and coached baseball.  His wife Bethann and daughter Blair were excited when he told them about Pioneer Springs and what the school had to offer.  Pioneer Springs intrigued him because it offers a unique educational experience unlike any he has ever seen.  After walking the campus and meeting some of the staff, he knew this was the place for him.  “Everything just feels authentic, and it feels like home.  Pioneer Springs is a place where all the great parts of educational experience seem to be amplified.”  In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, woodworking, and experiencing live music.  Audie also plays in a bluegrass band that has recorded 3 albums and travels the country when his career permits.
Contact: Audiem@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,  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

​Ava Alexander, Finance Manager
Ms. Alexander joined Pioneer Springs in 2019. She is a financial professional with experience in both financial services and charter schools.  She has worked at Moody's Investors Service and TIAA-CREF.  In addition, Ms. Alexander worked to support the financials of several charter schools in North and South Carolina as well as presented monthly financials to five school boards.  Her financial experience includes analytical, research and critical thinking skills to prepare financial budgets, forecasts and statements.  She has experience in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Budgeting.  Ms. Alexander holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Winthrop University.
Contact: Avaa@pioneersprings.org

​Cindy Friday, Dean of 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

​Chris Simeral, Dean of Nature Education 
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

​Sandy Dixon, Conservationist
Sandy enjoys nurturing a child’s sense of wonder and appreciates how that is celebrated at Pioneer Springs. She brings more than thirty years of teaching experience, with the past eighteen years as a teacher/director at a nature museum in New York. She and her husband moved to North Carolina recently and they are enjoying the beauty, diversity and of course warmer weather that Charlotte offers. She brought her passion for connecting children to nature to the Charlotte area by joining the NC Wildlife Federation’s Great Outdoor University where she kayaked, fished, hiked and biked with children with very limited contact to the natural world. She believes that nothing is more rewarding than watching a child discover the wonders of our beautiful world.  Sandy looks forward to sharing her passion and experience with the Pioneer Springs community.
​Contact: Sandyd@pioneersprings.org

Kelley Hood, MTSS Coordinator
“I love Pioneer Springs’ different approach to learning, and I’m happy to be a part of it."  Kelly received her Elementary Education Degree K-6 from Appalachian State University, and previously taught 1st Grade Paraprofessional at Forsyth Academy, a National Heritage Academy in Winston Salem, and 1st Grade teacher at Cornerstone Charter Academy in Greensboro.  Kelley shares her inspiration and source of passion in her teaching, “ I grew up with ADD and a learning disability since the 1st grade. I had to learn to think outside the box in order to overcome many obstacles  during my schooling. Therefore, I have a heart for students who might need that type of teaching to be successful.”  Kelley lives in Charlotte with her husband, dog and new baby daughter. They recently travelled to Africa fulfilling one of Kelley's long time goals. 
Contact: Kelleyh@pioneersprings.org

John McNeish , Steward
John is originally from Beckley, West Virginia. He And his wife Natalie have lived in Charlotte for over 25 years. They have two boys – Jack and Ewan. John graduated from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia in 1992 with a BS in elementary education. He then went back to college and graduated in 93 with a BA in graphic design.
Contact: Johnm@pioneersprings.org