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Pioneer TK-8

Home of The Panthers

Support Staff

Rania Antabeel (RSP Paraeducator)

Rania Antabeel (RSP Paraeducator)

 
 
Maria Aranda (Librarian)

Maria Aranda (Librarian)

 
 
Lisa bagby (art teacher)

Lisa bagby (art teacher)

I am currently teaching Art at Pioneer Elementary.  I have been teaching for the past 21 years in this district. I love teaching, and one of my greatest joys is seeing my students succeed and watching them develop a love of learning.
 
I have been married for 19 years and I have a ten-year-old son, Garrett. My husband is a 7th grade teacher at Pioneer also. He teaches math and science. I have three nephews, Dominic, Dylan, and Leo and a niece, Norah. My mom and brother live in Mississippi and my stepmother lives in Virginia. At home, we have a tabby kitty named Stinky and a boxer/bull mastiff named Scooterpie.
 
I grew up in Richmond, Virginia. I went to Virginia Commonwealth University and I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I moved to San Diego and got my teaching credential from San Marcos State University. After meeting my future husband, we moved to the Sacramento area and I worked to get my Special Education Credential. I taught special education for four years. 
 
My family loves to spend time in Tahoe riding bikes, playing in the snow, going for walks, and reading. We also love to travel whenever we can.  We have a travel trailer and like to go camping in the summer.  In addition, I enjoy hanging out with my girlfriends, taking Scooterpie for walks, hanging out at a pool in the summer, watching movies, and eating out. My favorite color is blue and my favorite number is eight. I like sushi from Mikuni’s and the French toast that they serve at the Tower Café. 
 
I love working at Pioneer school. We get to teach kindness, growth mindset, and art in addition to core subjects. It is my job to teach kids how to be better people and to believe in themselves. I think I have the best job there is. I sometimes feel like pinching myself because I cannot believe how lucky I am.
 
 
 
Jessica Desouza (cafeteria services Team Leader)

Jessica Desouza (cafeteria services Team Leader)

 
 
Cynthia Hall (Yard DUty)

Cynthia Hall (Yard DUty)

 
 
SHeila Henderson (Yard Duty)

SHeila Henderson (Yard Duty)

 
 
Sondra McCarty (Psychologist)

Sondra McCarty (Psychologist)

I am excited to begin my 11 year as the School Psychologist at Pioneer School. I obtained my Bachelors in Communication and Psychology at University of California, Santa Barbara and my Masters and Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Prior to joining Twin Rivers, I worked in Dixon Unified School District. I collaborate with both school staff and families in developing plans that offer educational supports and/or services necessary for students to be successful in school. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and running non-stop after my daughters.

 

 
 
Mays Qandeel (RSP Paraeducator)

Mays Qandeel (RSP Paraeducator)

 
 
 
Ms. Small-Birondo and her daughter at the Harvest Festival

The student support teacher does it all! I work with small group intervention in reading, English language support and math. This is my ninth year teaching at Pioneer. I work with all the grade levels, Kindergarten through 8th, in areas of need: Reading, English language arts, and math. I am the EL contact and in charge of the LPAC. I am married and have one daughter. 

 

 
 
Valencia Family
MAGGIE VALENCIA (RSP)

MAGGIE VALENCIA (RSP)

Hello! My name is Maggie Valencia and I am excited to be an RSP teacher at Pioneer this school year. I earned my undergraduate degreein Hawaii where I met my now husband. After living in Hawaii for ten years I moved to California where I received my multiple subject and mild/moderate credentials in addition to a master’s degree in special education. I have two young sons and a chocolate Labrador. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the beach and traveling with my family.
 
 
 
Chris Small-Birondo (Student Support Teacher)

Chris Small-Birondo (Student Support Teacher)