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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Jose R. Martinez
Dean of Academics and Student Support Services
Jose is a product of New York City and completed his undergraduate work from the State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo. He also has a master’s degree in Education from Concordia University Texas. Jose has been a career educator for over 20 years holding positions as a self-contained classroom teacher, team leader, administrator and, most recently, the aDirector of Adult & Graduate Admissions at Concordia. Along with his wife, Veronica,  and son, Alex, Jose relocated to North Carolina within the last year. When describing his initial visit to Pioneer Springs, Jose stated, “This place is exactly what education students envision when they pursue an education degree. It’s a utopia of sorts.” Jose is an avid baseball fan, collector of vinyl, and enjoys the outdoors, where he can be found kayaking and hiking.
Contact: [email protected]

​Chris Simeral
​Dean of Career Technical and 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: [email protected]

​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: [email protected]

Kelley Hood
​MTSS Coordinator
“I love Pioneer Springs’ different approach to learning, and I’m happy to be a part of it."  Kelley 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, Micah, 2 year old daughter, Murphy, and is expecting baby #2 in August." 
Contact: [email protected]

John McNeish
​Steward/ High School art teacher
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: [email protected]