Leslie Adams
Special Education / CI
Mary Adams
Special Education / OT
Connie Akins
Counselor
I have been a School Counselor for 15 years and I love school counseling and helping students advance and go confidently into their chosen post-secondary plan. I am here to help support , encourage and guide students in finding their college fit, teach them how to manage personal and social concerns in the school environment.
Marcie Allgeyer
CTE Department Chair / Business Teacher
Accounting, Personal Finance, Work-Based Learning
I have been a proud member of the Pioneer community since 1993.
Deborah Anglin
OP / Principal's Office
Steve Armstrong
Shawn Ashley
AP English Literature / English 9
Rebecca Ball
Teacher / Social Studies
AP Government and World History
I have been proud to teach in Ann Arbor since 2003. Aside from four years at Skyline, I have spent all of that time at Pioneer. I am an Ann Arbor native and graduated from Pioneer High School in 1990. I earned a BA in History and BFA in Theatre from the University of Michigan, and have a master's degree in Theatre from UCLA . I received my teaching credential from Cal State University at Northridge and taught in Los Angeles before returning to Michigan. I have two sons attending AAPS schools and am passionate about history and government. In my free time, I enjoy reading novels, quilting, crocheting and being dragged on walks with my dog.
Deidra Banks
OP / Scheduling
Jennifer Barcelata
Spanish Teacher
Spanish 1, 2/2AC
I graduated from EMU where I majored in Spanish and minored in Bicultural Education. I studied abroad at La Universidad de Autónoma, en Querétaro, México, and I earned my master’s degree through the MAT Program of Marygrove College.
Throughout my life as a teacher and student, my passion for Spanish has enhanced my ability to convey and promote an excitement in my students for learning a language, not only the words, but the essence of the people in a country. My teaching ideology is about self-exploration and leading with culture.
Angela Barricklow
World Language / Spanish 3 AC
Hola! In my 29 years of teaching Spanish I truly believe that learning a language should be all about communication and connecting students to REAL experiences and future careers. I love teaching Spanish but what I love more is transferring my passion of the language to my students and inspiring them with authentic music, novels, phrases, and resources. In my free time, I enjoy creating new lessons for my classes, traveling to Spanish-speaking places, reading, glamping, and drinking really good coffee.
Jeremy Bell
TA
William Bellers
Social Studies Teacher
United States History and Geography
I am a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where I obtained my degree in secondary education with a major in social studies and a minor in physical education. I have been teaching U.S. History at Pioneer since 2015, previously I taught at Summit Academy from 2010-2015.
Douglas Bernardin
Earth Science
Suzanne Biermann
Speech-Language Pathologist, SISS
I have a bachelor's degree in speech-language-hearing and a master's in speech-language pathology from the University of Kansas. I have worked in nearly every setting appropriate for an SLP with the longest time in schools. I've worked at every level in schools but my favorite is high school.
I have two beautiful adult daughters, one works in the Michigan Senate and one is in Medical school. I love to read, cross-stitch, and watch British TV shows. I enjoy movies often too. I'm not what I'd call an adventurer, but I love to travel almost any place!
John Bogdan
Music / Accompanist
Darlene Borregard
TA
Steve Boyce
History & World Geography
Louie Brennan
History & World Geography
Percy Brown
Community Assistant
Wendy Brush
ChartWells
Jodi Bullinger
9th Grade Dean
Varsity student-athlete at The University of Michigan, teacher certification in English and Psychology. Graduate work at Eastern Michigan University and Marygrove College. Educational Leadership certification through MASSP.
I began at Pioneer in August of 1998 as a teacher and golf coach. In addition to teaching psychology, I've taught (at least) eight different courses in the English department. I am the proud parent/guardian of three Pioneer graduates. Our daughter is a Pioneer swimmer and member of the class of 2022.
Helen Bunch
Art Department Chair / Art Teacher
Jewelry, Art & Design, Draw, Paint, Print
I have been making jewelry since I fell in love with it in high school. I went to Eastern Michigan and got my BFA with concentrations in metalsmithing, life drawing, and a minor in art history. After my BFA I was self employed for 20 years….I started teaching at Pioneer in 2004. I went back to Eastern again for my MA in metalsmithing 2010. I still sell my jewelry, enjoy gardening and cooking, and love my teaching job!
Julie Burdick
Social Worker/SISS
Stephanie Carter
Counseling
Cathy Cherico
SISS- ASD Self- Contained Teacher
ASD Self-Contained
Hello! I teach children with ASD during the day and interpret ASL at night in various settings. Along with my current placement, I have taught General Ed (World Language ASL), MoCI self-contained, and online. I also have experience conducting risk assessments on individuals in the probation system, in the hopes of identifying the risk factors for recidivism. I am a Child of Deaf Adults (coda) and ASL is my first language. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and Michigan in 2011. Since then, I have decided to make the Ann Arbor area my permanent home. Even though I teach near the big house, I'm still a Buckeye! I live with my life partner and his 3 beautiful children and we love to travel, explore and learn. I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and might actually have something to cheer for this coming fall (crossing my fingers). Here's to a great school year!
Eve Claar
Athletic Director / Assistant Principal
Sarah Collada
Environmental Science
John Conley
Special Education / CI
Alex Constantelos
Algebra I & II
William Copeland
Community Assistant
Colleen Creal
Counseling
I have worked at Pioneer for over 30 years! I was a Social Studies Teacher, Coach and a counselor. I love Pioneer. I have three Children and they all went to Pioneer - and so did my husband. GOOOO PIONEER!
Jessica Crowley
Science Department
Biology
I've been teaching biology at Pioneer since 2016. After working in biomedical research at the University of Michigan I decided to shift my focus and follow my passion for teaching. When I'm not teaching I spend my time crocheting and playing videogames.
Doug Damery
Science Department
Earth Science, Physics
I have Bachelor's from Purdue University and a Master's from Michigan Tech. I've probably got a larger collection of rocks, mineral and fossils than is healthy for me, especially if I have to move it again. I enjoy being outside, either hiking the North Country Trail (or any trail), paddling on a quiet river or lake, or just enjoying being outside listening to the things around me. I love my family and want to spend more time with them. I've been teaching Earth Science for my entire career with a generous amount of Physics and some Chemistry thrown in.
Ameer Daniel
African American Literature / English 10
Rachel Deacon
English 9/EL
Lawrence DeWolf
Physical Education
Dane Dresch
PE/ Health Teacher & Dept. Chair
ADPE, Disability Awareness, Personal Fitness, Health, Life Guarding, Life Time Sports , plus many more!
Ann Arbor Born and Raised....Graduated from Pioneer in "96. Been at Pioneer 10+ years, I bleed purple!
Ted Emch
Math/Science
AP Computer Science & Mobile App Dev.
Pioneer FIRST Robotics team coordinator
Mr. Emch has been teaching for 24 years. He taught 8th grade science at Tappan Middle School for 10 years before coming to Pioneer to teach physical science and chemistry. Being that his original teaching certification was in computer science, he was tapped to begin a computer science program at PHS in 2010. He now teaches AP Computer Science A as well as Mobile App Development (in Swift/iOS). He is married with 5 children and is the staff organist at St. Francis Church in Ann Arbor.
Debra Fitzgerald
Journalism / American Literature
Robert Foster
World Language / Latin
Amy Frontier
English Teacher
English 10, Positive Peer Influence, Contemporary World Literature
I received a BA in English from the University of Michigan and an M.Ed. in English Education from Vanderbilt University. Before teaching, I worked at a photo magazine and a textbook publishing company in New York City. I taught 6th-12th grade English at schools and camps based in Nashville, TN, New York City, Darien, Connecticut, and Farmington Hills, Michigan before I joined the Pioneer Community in the fall of 2012. I am especially dedicated to helping students learn about global issues and the ways that stories help us understand and connect to others. When I'm not teaching, I love to travel, read, and spend time with my husband and three boys.
Lisa Gapa
American Sign Language Teacher/ World Language
ASL I
I graduated from Madonna University with a BA in Language Arts & a BA and an FS endorsement in American Sign Language. I currently teach at Pioneer and Scarlett Middle School.
Jeff Garcia
Music Theory / Guitar
Jonathan Glawe
Performing Arts Chair, Director of Orchestras and Humanities Lecturer in Music, Music Department
Humanities, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert White Orchestra, Concert Purple Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra
734-994-2189 x3
Jonathan Glawe (from Waterloo,Iowa) is currently the Director of Orchestras at GRAMMY award-winning Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kansas and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon. Prior to his time in Oregon, Glawe taught in the Darien Publics Schools in Darien, Connecticut.
Currently in his twelfth year at Pioneer High School, Glawe has played an important role in the their return to the GRAMMY Signature School list, in which the Pioneer Music Department was honored as one of the top 3 music programs in the nation in 2010 and 2015, and earned the honor of being the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011. In his time at Pioneer, he has successful taken his ensembles to perform in New York City in 2009, Austria and Germany in 2011, San Francisco in 2013, and Italy in 2015. Glawe is the director and founder of the yearly Pioneer orchestra camp that takes place each August on the campus of the beautiful Interlochen Center for the Arts. In his time at Pioneer, Glawe has coached the Pioneer orchestras to a wide variety of successes in technique and performance in the classical setting while enhancing the orchestra curriculum with his knowledge of eclectic string styles. He has done this while aiming to maintain and further develop the high quality of classical musicianship that Pioneer has traditionally been known for. Glawe was recognized as MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015. He was a finalist for the Michigan Orchestra Director of the Year in 2012.
Mike Griffen
Geometry / Pre-Calculus
Brian Guastella
Business Teacher
Web Design 1 & 2, Personal Finance 1, Entrepreneurship, Business Principles, and Computer Applications
Nellie Guibert
TA
Lee Hallom
TA
Jeff Hamilton
TA
Margaret Hanrath
French Teacher / World Languages
French 1, 2, 3
I have enjoyed teaching French at Pioneer for 21 years. I live in Ann Arbor with my husband and two children (ages 14 & 12). I love traveling with my family to the beach and other road trip adventures. I enjoy playing volleyball, basketball, softball, and golf and still play in leagues for basketball and volleyball.
Ryan Hansen
Teacher / Mathematics
Pre-Calculus and Algebra 2
I have been teaching secondary mathematics full-time since 2003, and with AAPS since 2015. It is an absolute pleasure to be doing what I love at Pioneer High School!
Over the course of my career, I've been honored as a "teacher of the year" by three different organizations. My goal is to enjoy what I am doing each and every day in the classroom--I love interacting with all my students. I'm driven by a friendly, logical, organized, entertaining, and common-sense approach to my instruction.
On a personal note, I live in Ann Arbor with my lovely fiance, Carrie. She is also a teacher at Lakewood Elementary. We have two super cool dogs and are excited to be getting married on Spring Break 2020!
Jennifer Harrington
Science Teacher
Chemistry I, AP Chemistry
I have been teaching in Ann Arbor since the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. I love teaching science, and my hope is that my classroom is a safe space where all students can feel respected and empowered to learn.
William Hart
TA
Steve Hathaway
History & World Geography
I am locally grown! I attended Eberwhite, Slauson, Pioneer, U of M, and EMU. And I met my wife while we both attended Pioneer.
Our three kids have also attended those same schools.
I started teaching at Pioneer in 2000. I have taught various history courses, but mostly World History and Geography. Lately I have enjoyed teaching U.S. Government.
Jessie Hieber
English Teacher
English 10, Contemporary World Literature, Academic Literacy 10
I am proud to be a second-generation Pioneer High School student and a first-generation PHS teacher! I have stayed local for all my degrees: Women's Studies and Spanish at the University of Michigan and MAT English from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to teaching English classes at Pioneer, I coach in the Women's Lacrosse and Field Hockey programs. Outside of school, you will find me in the woods or by the water, probably with a book in hand.
Jeff Hilliard
Community Assistant
Angela Hood
Earth Science
Melissa Hosman
General Office
James Howe
Art
Mark Howson
Counseling
Kevin Hudson
Class Principal
Kevin Hudson is proud to currently serve the Ann Arbor community as Class Principal at Pioneer High School. He has been honored to serve the students of the Ann Arbor Public Schools since 2004. He has enjoyed several instructional and administrative assignments, including Social Work and Class Principal.
Mr. Hudson has experiences at the middle school level, as well as both Huron and Pioneer High Schools. His collaboration, leadership, and contributions to the administrative team at Pioneer High School have enabled him to fulfill his ambition of engaging students in a world-class education.
Mr. Hudson began his career in education in 1994 as a school social worker in Baltimore County Public Schools (Maryland), where he served students and families at the Elementary level.
Mr. Hudson later spent nine years in the Ypsilanti Public School District, where he served students, parents, teachers, and the community at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. Mr. Hudson is firmly rooted in the belief that the Ann Arbor School District offers the highest quality education, continuing its mission of creating an exemplary product for student academic, social, and emotional success. Mr. Hudson, himself, is a proud 1987 graduate from the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Lauren Huissen
School Nurse
734-994-2156
Originally from the west side of Michigan, I migrated to Ann Arbor for nursing school and haven't left. Following a couple year stint at Mott Children's Hospital, I joined the Pioneer team in 2018. Outside of the clinic, you can find me coaching volleyball, attending UM athletic events, knitting, and spending time with family, friends, and my cat, Franklin. It is my privilege to work with and care for the students and staff at Pioneer!
Charity Hyliard
Mathematics
Senior Advanced Math(SAM), Geometry, Algebra 2 AC
I have been teaching High-school Mathematics for 20 years. I have taught subjects from 8th grade math up to AP Calculus AB.
Kristina Jackson
TC
Janelle Johnson
Rising Scholars Teacher / Coordinator
Reginald Johnson
Community Assistant
Christopher Kasper
Counseling
Jeff Kass
English Language Arts
Creative Writing, Tenth Grade English
Jeff is the author of the poetry collection "Teacher/Pizza Guy," a 2020 Michigan Notable Book
Jayme Kelmigan
Theater Productions
Kevin Kilgore
Counseling
Holice Kil
Math
kils@a2schools.org
Kathi Kobylarz
Special Education
Lisa Kohl
CTE / Huron Valley Beauty
Jeremy Kucera
Teacher - Social Studies
Economics, U.S. History
I grew up in Walled Lake, Michigan. I attended the University of Michigan and graduated with degrees in History (BA '14) and Educational Studies (MA '15). This is my 4th year at Pioneer. I also coach Basketball and Football.
David A. Leach
Director of Bands
Varsity Band, Concert Band White/Purple, Symphony Band, Jazz Band
http://www.aapioneerbands.org/
Bio
David A. Leach has been Director of Bands at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School since 2002. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education at Eastern Michigan University. He began his teaching career at Ypsilanti High School
in 1988 and spent fourteen years there before coming
to Ann Arbor. He was appointed Chair of the Pioneer High School Performing Arts Department in 2006, and Fine Arts Department Chair in 2013.
Leach sustains the long tradition of quality performance and repertoire in the Pioneer Bands. During his 18 years at Pioneer, his Concert and Jazz Bands have received consistent top ratings at district, state, and national festivals. His Symphony, Concert, and Jazz Bands have won overall festival championships at every national event entered. Leach wrote curriculum for and introduced a ninth-grade Jazz Lab, increased student numbers, and enhanced his students’ personal success in music with a high percentage of his graduates going on to study for careers in music education and performance. Under his baton, the Pioneer Symphony Band has performed three times at Carnegie Hall, twice at the Mid-Europe Music Conference in Schladming, Austria and performed on tour in China. In 2014 and 2016 the Pioneer Symphony was selected a New Music National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors project.
Mr. Leach has served on the executive board of MSBOA’s District XII as Secretary, Vice-President of Adjudication, Vice-President of Band & Orchestra, President, and is currently serving as 2nd- past-President; He has been an active member of MSBOA since 1988. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, and The American School Band Directors Association. He has been included five times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. The University of Michigan chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia honored him in 2000 with the Pendleton Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in music education. He has been nominated four times for Disney’s American Teacher Award, and has received honors from the United States Marine Corps for sending his students to the Marine bands, including two to the Commandant’s Own Marine Band in Washington, D.C. He was the 2006 and 2010 MSBOA District XII Band Teacher of the Year, and in 2014 and 2017 was a GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator of the Year quarter-finalists. In 2016 the Michigan Chapter of the ASBDA presented Pioneer High School Bands the Award of Excellence award for its continued commitment to excellence. Mr. Leach is currently the winds and percussion coach for the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and has directed the Festival (faculty) Winds at the Southampton Summer Music Camp since 2013.
Mr. Leach has won the praise of international composers such as Michael Daugherty, John Mackey, Thomas Duffy, Alfred Reed, Jan Van der Roost and others for his insightful conducting of their compositions. Mr. Leach has attended the Wind Conducting Symposium with John L. Whitwell and studied conducting with the University of Michigan Director of Bands Michael Haithcock, and Maestro Michael Adleson; former conductor with the New York Philharmonic. In 2019 Mr. Leach was named Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the Midwest Clinic.
Mr. Leach is a proud member of the Pioneer High School Music Department, which has earned GRAMMY Signature School honors during his tenure there. In 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2015 the department achieved GRAMMY Signature School Gold status as one of the top two public high school music programs in the nation. In 2006 and 2011 the Pioneer Music Department was named the National GRAMMY Signature School as the top public
high school music program in the nation, making it the first program ever honored twice by the GRAMMY Foundation. Currently, Mr. Leach is a member of the GRAMMY Museums Music Educator Award screening panel; tasked with selecting candidates for the GRAMMY Teacher of the Year finalists.
Peggy Lederer
World Language / Spanish
Robert Lederer
World Language / German
Josh Leege
Kenneth Lewis II
CTE / Auto Shop
Mr. Lewis teaches Know Your Auto, Engine Repair, and Automotive Technology I & II. He is a Master certified ASE Technician and has also attained Master Technician status with Toyota and Honda. He has worked in the Automotive industry for over 20 years. He has experience in various areas of the automotive industry including Management, Independent shop ownership, Technician Training, Engineering, Tuning, Vehicle Performance and Racing.
Lynne Linderman
TA
Steven Lorenz
Choir Director / Music
A Cappella Choir, Bel Canto Purple, Bel Canto White, Cantando, Cantare
Steven Lorenz is director of choirs at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, where he directs five curricular choirs and oversees nine extra-curricular choirs. Mr. Lorenz is also the music director and conductor of the 90-voice community men's chorus, Measure for Measure: A Men’s Choral Society, based in Ypsilanti. For the past fifteen summers, Mr. Lorenz has served on the conducting faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp, directing the Intermediate Classical Voice program.
Choirs prepared by Mr. Lorenz have appeared at the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Convention (2010, 2014), American Choral Directors Association Michigan State Convention (2008, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018), Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses Seminar (2010, 2014, 2018, 2020), Michigan Music Conference (2009, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2020) and Michigan Youth Arts Festival (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019). On three occasions (2019, 2015, 2014), the Pioneer A Cappella Choir has been named an Outstanding Choir in Michigan by MSVMA, and featured at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Gala Concert. In 2015, the Pioneer A Cappella Choir was featured in Dr. Jerry Blackstone’s DVD, "Did You Hear That?," produced by GIA Publishing.
Mr. Lorenz has conducted regional and state honors choirs in Michigan, and prepared choruses for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, and Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Mr. Lorenz holds degrees from Michigan State University (M.M.) and Carleton College (B.A.), studying conducting with Jonathan Reed and Lawrence Burnett.
Pingping Lui
World language / Chinese
I have been teaching Chinese for 13 years. I like to travel.
Tracey Lowder
Principal
Michele Macke
Nerd Coach/Math
Algebra I, Algebra II, Algebra IIAC, Geometry, GeometryAC, E2020, Precalculus AC
I am a passionate and hard-working individual. These overriding traits dominate everything that I do. I am passionate about my family, my job, and I am passionate about doing my best, no matter what the task. I am trying to make the world a better place.
Nicole Macko
ELL / ELA
Evelyn Madih
TC
Hafida Makhlouf
TA
Ashley Mantha
Health & Physical Education
Canadian-American Pioneer Alumna, 2004! Teacher certification of Health, Physical Education, and Business Management and Technology through James Madison University (Virgina) and Nipissing University (Ontario). Graduate work at Memorial University (Newfoundland).
Barbara Martin
World Language / Spanish
My studies in Spanish began with the best language professors at Eastern Michigan University, and I am remain grateful to them for helping to launch my own career as an educator. Dr. Rico, Dr. Kibry, Dr. Cere, Pedro Gomez and Reynaldo Ruiz opened a brand new world for me, and it is because of them that I have enjoyed travels to distant lands and even today find myself reading Neruda, Allende and Lorca in my spare time. The language immersion trips I have taken throughout Latin American and Spain have given me a deeper appreciation for life and a different way of seeing things.
In my 15 years as a public school educator, I have wanted to give to my students what my university professors gave to me: an appreciation of everything beautiful that one acquires through language study. Many students at Pioneer may never have the opportunity to travel to distant lands and meet new friends in amazing places, but I can take them there in my classroom and encourage them to remain enthusiastic about their language studies so that they, too, might one day find new worlds beyond our borders. Outside of the borders of my classroom, I enjoy Facetime with our three daughters, who live around the globe now (all Pioneer High graduates), going on dates with my husband (still my high-school sweetheart), and spending time with my little pony, Luna.
Maureen Mauratt
Athletics
Brooke McCully
American Sign Language Teacher in the World Language Department
ASL levels 1-4
My name is Brooke McCully, and I've been teaching at Pioneer since 2004! I started as a self-contained teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for six years, then became a Teacher Consultant for another six. In 2016, I started teaching American Sign Language full time, and I love it!
Jamie McDowell
Teacher Consultant
Ryan McKinnie
Social Studies
World History, U.S. History, Economics
Sarah McNair-Wilson
Algebra I & II
Christopher McGlynn
TA
Elaine Mitchell
CTE / Health Sciences
Maria Montri
Troy Montri
TA
Sarah Moore
TC
Kara Morabito
Marketing Teacher - DECA Advisor /Business Department
Marketing & Economics, Sports & Entertainment Marketing 1 & 2, Advanced Marketing, Marketing Work-Based Learning
734-994-2185
Mike Morris
Computer Tech
Carol Neylon
TA
Jane Nixon
TC
Kristin Northrop
Special Education
Department Chair / Academic Support
Kristin Northrop has over 25 years of experience supporting students in special education and general education classes at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She joined the Ann Arbor Public Schools team in 2004 and has been a proud Pioneer teacher since 2015. Kristin currently serves as Pioneer’s Special Education Department Chair. Math is her favorite high school subject, but English literature courses are a close second. Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education/Learning Disabilities from Hope College, and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University. She is an advocate for her students and takes pride in developing strong relationships with students, parents and staff in order to facilitate successful outcomes.
The connection to Pioneer runs in the family. Her husband is a Pioneer grad, and all four of her children are former or current Pioneers.
Donna Novack
Special Education
Self-contained Special Education moderate cognitive impairment
Joe O'Connell
Math
AP Statistics, Algebra 1/2
Pioneer Varsity Football Coach
Ann Arbor —> East Lansing —> Ventura, CA —> Ann Arbor.
BS, MA
Married, 2 boys, Teaching HS since 2004.
Ken O'Day
Whitney O'Keefe
Social Studies Department
AP MICRO and MACRO Economics and Basic Economics
My name is Whitney O'Keefe. I grew up in Ann Arbor and graduated from Pioneer in 1998. I have an undergraduate and MA degree in History. I LOVE Ann Arbor, and love teaching at Pioneer! I've been a teacher for 13 years and can't imagine doing anything else. I'm also a yoga instructor and really enjoy running and playing tennis.
Holli Ohman
Physical Education and Health
Health and Wellness, Personal Fitness, other PE electives
Don Packard
Teacher/Department Chairperson
Contemporary World Literature, PASS, Trailblazers
Mr. Packard is an Ann Arbor native that graduated from Pioneer in 1983 then moved all the way across town to study English at the University of Michigan. Returning to Pioneer in 1988, Mr. Packard has found his home in C331 ever since (except for a short stint at Huron HS and a somewhat longer stint at Slauson MS). Mr. Packard can be found after school in the Learning Center and during the fall he's in the pool with the water polo team. Go Pioneer!
Claudia Parfitt
A2 Virtual / Online
Kate Pasola
Teacher Consultant
Nikki Patty
Community Assistant
Amy Perry
American Literature / English 9
Mysti Plummer
Community Assistant / Stage Manager
Marg Pollock
Teacher Consultant/Resource Room Teacher /Special Education
Allen Porter
Student Opportunity Advocate
I have been an educator (mostly classroom teacher) for 22 years. 15 of those years have been in Ann Arbor Schools.
Nathaniel Powell
Library Media Specialist
I grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. I served in the United States Air Force for 20 years before becoming an educator. I began work for AAPS as a librarian media specialist at Bryant Elementary School in 2003. This was followed by an assignment at Community High School in 2007. I joined the Pioneer staff in 2013. My favorite pastime includes books, karate, music, school, traveling, and volunteering.
Brent Richards
Social Studies Teacher
US History, Philosophy, Law
I have been teaching in Ann Arbor for 18 years, 17 of which have been at Pioneer. Coming to work every day is energizing and endlessly rewarding. I have been lucky to teach subject matters that I love and find super interesting for my entire time here at Pioneer.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, I am a 1992 graduate of Pioneer and am proud to call Ann Arbor home. I am also a 1996 graduate of Purdue University and received my MA in Education, with a major in History in 2001 from the University of Michigan. My wife and I have a son who was born in 2015 and enjoy the experience of being parents more than anything in life.
Ron Robinson
Earth Science / Planetarium
Susan Rodriguez
Special Education / PT
Sarah Roldan-Dodson
US History
Sean Sabo
Teacher, English Department
Acting I, Acting II, AP English 11, English 10
I started at Pioneer in the fall of 2003, and I have taught many of the different classes the English department has offered over the years . The last few years I've settled into teaching Acting I and II and AP English, supplementing with sections of English 9 or 10. I went to EMU as an undergrad (where my wife is now chair of the biology department), Indiana for graduate school, and I obtained my teaching certificate from UW-Madison. I have student taught or taught in seven different schools in three states grades 7-12. I live in Ann Arbor with my wife, my youngest son of my three kids, and my dogs. I read and listen to books and podcasts and music, I love movies, I like to go to the gym, hang out with my family, travel and be outside, preferably in water if it's warm out.
Josh Salvner
TA
Phil Sanborn
Geophysical / Computer Science
Russell Sansbury
Teacher/English-Language Arts
English 9; English 10; African-American Literature; English Composition; AP 11 English Language and Composition; Creative Writing; Speech and Communication; Argumentation and debate and Acting
Born in Ann Arbor
Attended: Wines - Forsythe - Pioneer
Married 25 years / two children
20 years teaching ELA
BA Science (Psychology), Teacher Certification (English/Speech endorsements), and Master degree all from Eastern Michigan University
Barbara Schenk
Teacher/Science
Chemistry, Biology
I have a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University and an M.S. in Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University. Before teaching, I worked for six years as an analytical chemist and project manager at an environmental firm. I started at Huron High School teaching chemistry in February of 1996 and transferred to Pioneer in the fall of 2018.
Keith Shafer
World Language / Latin
Shannon Sherman
Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC
Natasha Smith
TA
Reid Smith
Music / Piano
Maribeth Sonsara (Sonny)
Teacher: Art / Humanities
Humanities Art History, Ceramics & Sculpture I/II
Lover of all things art, learning, laughing, sports, and food. When not in the studio, my husband Josh, our dog Walter, and I like to spend time outdoors.
Dr. Emily Sportsman
School Psychologist
I’m a proud member of the Pioneer and AAPS community since 2013! My role as school psychologist is to collaborate with school staff and families to help diverse learners succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. I am passionate about systems change and used to work as an MTSS coordinator at Ingham ISD. I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, studied psychology and violin performance at Lawrence University, and earned my PhD in school psychology from Michigan State University. I continue to teach seminars in the MSU Psychiatry Department. When not working, I enjoy traveling, reading, watching movies, playing violin, and especially spending time with my family, including my husband, daughter and son.
Troy Spurlock
Community Assistant
Jonathan Stern
School Social Worker
PPI (Peer Facilitating)
In my twenty-six years as a school social worker, my role and and perspectives have evolved, and my dedication to serving others has strengthened.
Our country's history continues to impact us, individually and as a community, as much as does our current political, cultural, and economic environment. I believe in the necessity of self-reflection as a way to process and learn from our mistakes, and to discover ways in which we can support those around us.
As I continue to learn - most of all from role models younger than myself - I continue to find more effective ways in which I can utilize my position as a social worker to help sustain a culture of acceptance and diversity.
I have found success in engaging with students by incorporating themes I am privileged to experience in my own family: love, generosity, concern, confusion, and honesty.
Students at Pioneer continue to reinforce my belief that with effort, and sometimes maybe pain, things do get better.
Marilyn Suter
CTE / Culinary Arts
Montana Szobonya
TA
Astrid Tackett
World Language / Latin
Carey Terrell
Evening Facility Manager
Erica Thomas
Andrea Urda-Thompson
Science Teacher
Biology, Earth Science, Physics, Ecology, Physical Science, & Chemistry
www.annarborearthscience.weebly.com
Started teaching in AAPS in 2001 at Roberto Clemente Student Development Center and how I am at Pioneer HS, and I enjoy teaching science.
Bret Trocchio
Writing Center / English 10
Amy Vail
English/Humanities
English 10, Humanities Literature AC
www.pioneerhumanities.weebly.com
Ms. Vail has taught at Pioneer since 1997. She is a 1989 Pioneer grad.
Mark Valchine
CTE / Home Building
Betsy van der Zee
J. Tyler Vess
World Language / French
Corey Weaver
TA
Fred Webster
TA
Chuck White
Physics / Mechanics
Jenni Wilkening
Biology Teacher/ Science Department
AP Biology, Biology
I love science, composting, and swimming! This is my third year teaching at Pioneer. I have been in AAPS for 20 years-- 17 of them at Huron. When I am not at school, I enjoy anything that I can do outdoors. I have three AAPS students- one at Pioneer, one at Slauson, and one at Eberwhite.
Laurie Williams
Science Teacher
Biology, Recovery Biology
Ms. Williams started teaching in AAPS in 1995 and has been teaching Biology at Pioneer since 2005. In summers she enjoys hiking with her family and visiting the country's national parks. Pioneer has the best students anywhere; it is always amazing to witness the maturity and vigor with which Pioneer students approach learning. It is always a pleasure to visit with students who return to let their teachers know how they are doing in their next phase of life. Learning is a life-long gift we ALL share. Go Pioneer!
Kip Wilson
English 10
Mary Winkler
Para-educator
Love being a TA and helping students learn as much as they can!!
Benjamin Wojtas
TA
Chris Woods
School Counselor
woodsch@aaps.k12.mi.us
Karl Wright
TA
Hande Yaprat
A2 Virtual / Online