Grade-Level Teaching Teams

Our Team

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Margaret Moose
K-5 Instructional Facilitator
Margaret Moose grew up in the country outside of a small town in North Carolina. Growing up, her family had a garden where they grew most of their own food and spent most days outside enjoying camping, hiking, and canoe trips together as a family. Her upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for the outdoors and nature, as well as a passion for sharing nature with students. Margaret graduated from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.A. in History with a focus on American Cultural history. She has worked extensively with the Boy Scouts of America and a home care company focused on Pediatrics. However, she knew her passion was working directly with children when she started a story time for special-needs children at her local library.
Contact: [email protected]

Hillary Barbee
K-12 Associate Teacher
Hillary was born and raised in Charlotte ad attended Peace and King’s colleges. She loves the Pioneer approach and nature, she believes time outside is good for the soul. Hillary enjoys exercising, goat yoga, black light yoga, movies and playing with her kids. If it’s the weekend you will find her hiking or at a farmers market. She is a super artsy craftsy person, and loves painting on canvas or furniture and wood working.
Contact: [email protected]

Sherry Atria
Kindergarten Teacher
Sherry Atria comes from a long line of educators and has always had a passion for teaching children. For the last several years, she has been teaching Kindergarten and enjoys personal tutoring for early education as well. Ms. Sherry is also mom of a Pioneer Springs 6th grader and part of the original group of students to attend PSCS when it became a charter school. The school’s nurturing educational environment, with its focus on the whole child, is exactly what Ms. Sherry had in mind when she made the decision to move to North Carolina for better educational opportunities for her own child.
Contact: [email protected]

Debra Blanton
Kindergarten Associate Teacher
Debra is a native of Charlotte. She has a 26 year old daughter that she adores. She started her journey working with children over twenty years ago. Her experiences have been working with ages 3 months to 9 years of age. Debra’s hobbies include looking after her little farm, hiking with friends and her dogs and gardening. She is looking forward to being back at PSCS this year and getting to know our families and watching your children learn and grow.
Contact: Debrab@pioneersprings.org

Mary Harp
1st grade Teacher
Mary Harp is a native North Carolinian. She was born in Lexington, grew up in Charlotte and currently lives in Davidson. She has also lived in Raleigh and Winston-Salem. After graduating from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with a BA in English, Mary returned to Charlotte and received a Masters in the Arts of Teaching in Elementary Education from Queens College. “I had always planned on a career in teaching but was side-tracked with involvement and loyalty to a family business, then marriage and motherhood. I am thrilled to finally be pursuing my passion and have enjoyed being part of the Pioneer Springs Community for 8 years and couldn't imagine teaching anywhere else."
Contact: [email protected]

Sarah Zurawski
1st grade Teacher
Sarah was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN and attended Hope College in Holland, MI. After she received her degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education, Sarah moved to North Carolina to escape the midwest winters and explore the beauty North Carolina has to offer. She has a Bernedoodle puppy who keeps her schedule busy but heart full. In her free time she loves reading books, playing Euchre, and hiking trails. Sarah has always dreamed of teaching at a school that encourages a brave heart and calm mind through nature, and she is thrilled to live out that dream at Pioneer Springs.
Contact: [email protected]

Jeretta Schaefer
1st grade Associate Teacher
Jeretta was drawn by the school’s philosophy of empowering students through a holistic approach to curriculum and the focus on the natural world. "I knew it would be a place where I could enjoy guiding and facilitating young children to become self-confident, independent learners." Jeretta says she fell in love with teaching early in life, and after first pursuing her career in the financial world, she soon realized that she was called to do something else. She has worked with children from pre-school through sixth grade for seven+ years at private schools and is happy that she's found her passion in life. Jeretta has a daughter in college, and when she's not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, running, gardening and keeping up with three foster dogs... her “children in fur coats.”
Contact: [email protected]

Megan Hughes
2nd grade Associate Teacher
Megan was born in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. She moved to Hacienda Heights, CA when she was young. She later moved to Huntersville, NC where she has been for 21 years now. Megan has taught in a preschool and daycare for many years and enjoys teaching preschoolers on Sundays at her church. Arden, her oldest daughter started attending PSCS in 2nd grade in 2016. Megan quickly became involved as room parent and then started subbing regularly. The magic of Pioneer springs drew Megan in from the very beginning. Megan has 2 daughters that attend PSCS. She is a lover of all things Disney! "When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do." Walt Disney
Contact: [email protected]

Jackie Lee
2nd grade Associate Teacher
Jackie is originally from New Hampshire and spent the majority of her childhood outdoors exploring and experiencing nature. She moved to North Carolina to attend college and graduate school at UNC-Wilmington. She moved to Charlotte in 2001 and has been here ever since. She has had careers as an ABA therapist and as an accountant, but has found her home at Pioneer Springs helping students to learn and grow. She loves reading, music, woodworking, making wands and jewelry, crafting, and having adventures with her two sons.
Contact: [email protected]

Anna Glodowski
3rd Lead Teacher
Anna joined PSCS after falling in love with the school community as she watched her daughter navigate her kindergarten year. She attended Elon University and majored in Human Services with a minor in Philosophy. After college she lived in Maine at a residential leadership school (with middle school youth) where she focused on leadership development with youth and adult groups. Before leaving Maine she spent 4 months as an apprentice on a rural organic vegetable farm. After returning home to Charlotte she felt called to teach and completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching at UNCC. Prior to PSCS she taught first through fourth grade in CMS. She believes children learn best through movement, nature and the arts. She thinks it is very special that she gets to bring her daughter to work each day and has enjoyed having her students as role-models for her daughter. In her free time Anna enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dogs and teaching swim lessons.
Contact: [email protected]

Kara Smith
4th grade Teacher
Ms. Kara has been in our Pioneer Community for 9 years. She has been a parent, assistant, and a lead for the last 7 years. She currently teaches 3rd grade in the lower elementary school. “I love what we offer here, the learning and growth that consistently happens, and the support we have within our community.” Kara’s journey has taken her from growing up in the mountains of WV to Seattle and a final move to North Carolina. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia University, a Master of Health Promotion from Concord University, and is a recent graduate from UNC Charlotte with a Masters in Teaching. She loves the adventures they have each day in 3rd grade and all of the great minds working together. Her favorite things include spending time with her own children, their two dogs and her unwavering friends and family. She loves traveling to new places and enjoying life's everyday happenings.
Contact: [email protected]

Deepti Bhave
4th grade Teacher
Deepti is from Hyderabad, India, and moved to Charlotte after she got married. She was drawn to Pioneer Springs as a parent and loved how the school embraces diversity and has a holistic approach to education. She worked as a volunteer, substitute, Associate and loved every bit of it! Deepti is in the process of getting her M.A.T degree from UNC Charlotte and very excited to teach third grade this year. Deepti lives in Concord with her husband and son, she loves gardening, cooking(she makes amazing samosas!), and reading. Depth can speak six languages!
Contact: [email protected]

Shelli Stewart
4th grade Associate Teacher
When asked why she joined Pioneer Springs, Shelli said, “It felt so right! I love the concepts, I love the freedom that the children are given and the independence. It’s refreshing.” Shelli has lived in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana, but for the last 10+ years, she and her family have called Charlotte home. Shelli and her husband, Shane, have 4 children. In her time away from school, Shelli and her family are active members of their church, she enjoys running, watching movies, and spending time with her children and family.
Contact: [email protected]

Kim Orr
4th grade Associate Teacher
Kim is originally from South Carolina and has lived in Charlotte for 20 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: [email protected]

Allison Allen
5th grade Lead Teacher
Bio coming soon
Contact: [email protected]

Susan Garner
5th grade Associate Teacher
Susan grew up just south of Charlotte in York, SC. She grew up learning to garden, hike, bike, camp, and sew. Her favorite hobby was and remains to be reading. Susan homeschooled her three children for 12 years before all three joined our Pioneer community. She quickly fell in love with our community and wanted to join it in an Associate position. Susan is attending East Carolina University seeking her Bachelors Degree and Teaching Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.
Contact: [email protected]

Heidi Magi
6-12 Instructional Facilitator
Heidi Magi grew up exploring the Sonoran desert that surrounded her home in Tucson, Arizona. She majored in history at the University of Arizona, and pursued graduate degrees at the University of Washington. Pioneer Springs’ commitment to nature education, to teaching students how to be engaged members of their community drew Heidi first as a parent to Anja and Soren, and then as a staff member. Heidi recently earned a certificate in Place Based Teaching and Learning from Antioch University. When not having amazing adventures with her students, Heidi loves to hike and camp with her family, which includes Brian (husband), Anja and Soren (children), Totoro and Detective NoNo (kitties), and Cosmomo (puppy)
Contact: [email protected]

Michelle Dorsey
6th grade Lead Teacher
Michelle has an MEd in Creative Arts in Learning. She has taught students from 3 months to 12th grade in a variety of subjects and settings - math, science, art, cooking, sewing, and nature study. Before moving to North Carolina 7 years ago, Michelle lived in California and Massachusetts. She loves being outdoors, especially around waterfalls or lighthouses. She loves reading, cooking, bike riding, outdoor adventures, and art. Michelle lives with her husband, 2 daughters in college, a dog and cat. Michelle chose Pioneer Springs because she loves learning naturally.
Contact: [email protected]

Lorraine Twiddy
6th grade Associate Teacher and Pioneer Blend Coordinator
Loraine 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: [email protected]

Nick Kaylor
K-12 Health and Physical Education
Nick served in the Navy for more than seven years and performed two deployments in that time. He moved to North Carolina in 2016 with his wife, Marissa, and three sons. After an extensive career as a senior leader for national non-profit organizations assisting wounded Veterans, he made the jump into his life-long dream of teaching. His love for poetry and background in writing, led him to teaching English Language Arts. Nick received his bachelor’s degree in project management and attended Central Michigan University for his master’s. He is an avid sports fan and spends his summers working on the Charlotte Knights grounds crew. His love for Pioneer Springs goes beyond the classroom, as all three of his children attend the school, and his oldest will be part of PSCS’ first ever graduating class!
Contact: [email protected]

Allie Twiddy
1st grade Associate Teacher
Bio coming soon
Contact: [email protected]

Michele Rothschild
Middle School Explore Teacher
“Imagination does not become great, until human beings, given the courage and the strength, use it to create.” …Maria Montessori Michele lives in Charlotte, NC, with her life partner, Robert, and their small menagerie of animals. Michele is also a licensed North Carolina State Wildlife Rehabilitator, and rehabilitates Eastern Cottontails In her spare time. She is also one of the founding members of a nonprofit organization called, New Leaf Wildlife Rescue. Michele has been an educator for the past 31 years in the public,charter and private sectors. She graduated from Humboldt State University in 1989 and has taught grades K-8. During her career she has also been a Fine Arts Specialist, teaching music, art, dance and drama. She is currently the Middle School Explore Teacher at PSCS. Her love of animals and nature are some of the things she says that drew her to Pioneer Springs.
Contact: [email protected]

Adam Peeler
High School Social Studies
Bio Coming soon
Contact: [email protected]

Alex Oxendine
HS English Language Arts
Alex is a North Carolina native, born and raised in Belmont. She graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 2016 with a BA in History & a minor in education. She found a love and passion for reading during her first year as a teacher in Gaston County Schools. She has taught students aging from 6th grade to 10th grade, in a wide variety of settings. Alex chose Pioneer Springs because she loves the idea of being able to get students out in their natural environment. She believes in creating a classroom environment where students are welcome to be their true authentic selves. Alex lives with her soon to be husband, Hutson, and their dog (Mia), cat (Mama), ferret (Bear), and their 2 leopard geckos (Tippy & Echo). She is a lover of all animals and wildlife and serves on the Board of Directors for a local rescue organization located in Monroe called Griffin K9 Rescue. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew, reading, knitting, crafting, traveling, & spending time with her fur babies.
Contact: [email protected]

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