​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

​Antoinette (Toni) Brooks
Toni has a degree in special education and has taught for 20 years. She was drawn to teaching special education in high school when she volunteered at a local elementary school assisting in the resource room. She has taught everything from preschool through high school and feels there is something special about each level.  She loves the openness of elementary students, the searching of middle school students, and the questioning of high schoolers who are on the cusp of adulthood.  She believes that students thrive when they know that you care about them and will go above and beyond for them.  She has been married for 33 years, has 6 children, 2 dogs and 2 rats. Originally from Pennsylvania, she has also lived in Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut and finally settled in NC.  She loves living in the south where she doesn’t need a snow blower and school closes at the sight of 10 snowflakes.  She enjoys the warmth of people that don't look at you strangely when you strike up a conversation in the line at Wally World. She is "Northern by birth; Southern by choice".  
Contact: Antionetteb@pioneersprings.org

​Kim Orr, Assistant
Kim is originally from South Carolina and has lived in Charlotte for 18 years. She has worked with children of all ages in the early childhood field for over 13 years. She obtained an associates degree of Science In General Studies in 2012 and is currently working on her bachelor's degree. She is a mother of a child with Autism and wanted to work at school where she can use her childcare experiences to help others. Kim came to Pioneer Springs looking for a new exciting journey working with children with disabilities. She has found being part of the Pioneer Springs team amazing and is so proud to be part of a school that cares so much for their staff, students and families.   She loves spending time with her two children and they enjoy family time playing video games together.  She also enjoys nice long walks, going to the beach and has a big heart for animals. Kim has a passion for teaching, caring, and helping children discover new things each and everyday. 
Contact: Kimo@pioneersprings.org