​Emily Gilligan, Exceptional Children Teacher
Emily grew up in Riverdale, New York, and graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a Concentration in Language and Learning from the College of New Rochelle.  Emily began her teaching career with the New York City Board of Education as a Speech and Language Teacher, and later earned her certification as a Reading Recovery Teacher at New York University.  As a Reading Recovery Teacher, she delivered individualized reading and writing instruction to first grade students.  Emily and her family now live in Mooresville, North Carolina, where she is a mom to three great kids, ranging in ages from elementary school to teenager.  Emily looks forward to making a positive impact and to helping all of her students reach their goals!
​Contact: Emilyg@pioneersprings.org

​Valerie Goodfriend, Occupational Therapist
Valerie Goodfriend is a licensed occupational therapist who comes to Pioneer Springs with a wide range of experience for over 30 years. Her education and experience in New Jersey and New York laid the foundation for the passion she brings to work and life every day. Living in Charlotte since 2001, she has been able to live out her dream of helping children in a variety of ways, especially in school environments. Her strong work ethic is a driving force behind all she does. Valerie has a passion for helping both children and animals.  As a staff member at Pioneer Springs, Valerie is eager to share her skills in observing the child and environment as she works with a team of professionals to help uncover ways to help children who have leaning differences. As a true lover of nature, she has a desire to play a part in the benefit of environmental health, and knows she has found a welcoming environment in which to do so at Pioneer Springs. In her spare time Valerie enjoys her family, friends, pets and pursuing her dreams.
Contact: Valerieg@pioneersprings.org

​​​Kara Hite, Exceptional Children Teacher
Kara has worked in education since 2002.  She has worked as a teacher in many different grade levels from Kindergarten to Tenth grade.  After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Psychology and Communications, she began working as an assistant in a hearing impaired classroom.  While the plan was to go to graduate school for Speech Pathology, she found her true calling after falling in love with both the students and teaching.  Kara lives in Kannapolis with her high school sweetheart and their two beautiful children.  While not teaching, you may find her in her “Mom Taxi” going to Boy Scouts, swim practice or camping with her family.  She loves reading every chance she gets and when the kids are out of the house, she likes to work on her scrapbooks.  Other than her family, Kara enjoys spending time with friends and her beloved dog, Chanie.   She is excited to be at Pioneer Springs as a supporting teacher for Kindergarten through Second grade.  Her favorite characteristics of Pioneer Springs are the love of the outdoors and the supportive community of staff and parents.
Contact: Karah@pioneersprings.org

​Lydia Thomas, Exceptional Children Teacher
Lydia was born to Southern roots in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Her family doubled by the time she was 4 years old, meeting her stepmom and then soon-to-be stepdad. She claims her biggest role in life (so far), started at 7 when she met her first of three little siblings. Her role as a “Big Sister” has only multiplied now that her brother and two sisters are 18, 17 and 13! Lydia grew up in Charlotte with her siblings until she was in high school when she moved to Mooresville, North Carolina to live out her high school years with her dad near picturesque Lake Norman. Lydia graduated as a proud Blue Devil from Mooresville High School and then made her way up to the High Country to receive her Bachelors in Special Education at Appalachian State University.  Coming from a more traditional school, yet being a "Boonie" at heart, Lydia knew when she first stepped foot at Pioneer Springs this was where she needed to be. "I love that I am adding to the upbringing of our young community and that I am a part of a family here at PSCS."
​Contact: Lydiat@pioneersprings.org

​Gunsby DeJohnett
Originally from Milwaukee WI., Gunsby is a retired firefighter.  He enjoys working in an environment that provides a fresh, progressive, alternative, student-centered atmosphere. Contact: Gunsbyd@pioneersprings.org

Loraine Twiddy, Associate Teacher
Loraine Twiddy has a long history in education, including 12 years teaching pre-school and working in the classroom and Exceptional Children’s settings in public schools.  She came to Pioneer Springs as an EC assistant and later transitioned to a member of the kindergarten and 3rd-4th grade teams. Loraine believes in teaching children respect and responsibility. She feels strongly that it takes a village to raise a child and that we all need to be respectful of children and teach them to live an active life in society. She loves that students and staff at Pioneer Springs spend so much time outside learning about the environment. “It’s up to each of us to take care of the Earth so it can take care of us. If we treat each other and our environment with respect then we will get it in return.”
Contact: Lorainet@pioneersprings.org