 Jim Leiner
Director
"Treat people as if they are what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." Goethe
In 2001, Jim moved to San Diego from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and accepted a position as a 1:1 special education teacher for a student with autism. The school's location was a gazebo in the back yard of the student's house because his parents could not find an appropriate school to meet his unique educational needs. This experience led Jim to the vision of Pioneer Day School. A small school where each student's unique strengths and abilities could be celebrated and developed within a supportive and community-oriented environment. In 2003, Pioneer Day school opened its doors with 1 student.
"It has been such a pleasure to see our program develop from the very beginning. We started our school on the premise that every child can learn to be successful, and we work very hard each and every day to achieve that goal, one student at a time."
(photo coming)
Administrative Director
Amber is a graduate of San Diego State University and received her multiple-subject teaching credential from Humboldt State University. This year, she has gone back to school part-time to pursue graphic and website design. Amber enjoys reading, creating all sorts of art, spending time with friends and family, having new adventures and sleeping in the few remaining hours.
Shari Koslov
Home-Economics /P.E.Teacher
Shari received her undergraduate degree from Humboldt State University in 2001 and her teaching credential from San Diego State University in 2003. Her two favorite hobbies are playing bass guitar and candle making. She loves to cook and enjoys sunsets on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. She looks forward to a positive school year filled with academic, social, and physical growth.
 Deborah Woo-Ming
Reading Teacher
Debbie's family are native Southern Californians having moved to San Diego in 1976. Her first introduction to children with special needs was through her son who has Autism. Her first position in the field of special education began in Pioneer's office. She was inspired by the work the teachers were doing, so much so, that she enrolled in Nation University and earned her special education teaching credential! She also holds a masters degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan. In her free time, Debbie loves to read, crochet and practice playing her guitar.
"Pioneer has become an important foundation to my son's life. It has been a place that has addressed his sensory needs just as much as his academic ones. That alone has made all the difference in the world for him."
 Edith Birney
Teacher
Edith was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to California after graduating with a double major in Special Education and History from Hobart College in upstate New York.She holds credentials in California and New York. Even at a young age, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Over the years, teaching has become her passion. She loves that every day is different and that she learns something from students on a daily basis. In her free time, Edith loves traveling back East to visit friends and family. She also enjoys watching football (Yeah Ravens!!!) and exploring San Diego.
"Pioneer is a very special place and I am grateful to be part of our dynamic and dedicated team."
Kelly Dell
Teacher
Kelly dual majored in Special and General Education and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from Providence College. She began her teaching career in Brooklyn, NY at a specialized elementary school for children with Autism. She immediately fell in love with her profession and has worked with this population of students for 5 years. She likes to spend her free time with her family and friends, going to the beach and relaxing with a good book!
"Working at Pioneer has really been a great experience for me. The general feeling of a "community of friends" among both the staff and students is one that I have yet to experience anywhere else. We all truly support each other and work wonderfully as a team!"
John Berry
1:1 Instructional Aide
John was raised in Vermont. He moved to San Diego, sight unseen, one year ago to be near the ocean. He attended the University of Vermont where he earned his undergraduate degrees in the areas of Philosophy and Political Science. He credits his interest in the field of social services to his parents. He has experience as a behavior intervention specialist, teaching assistant in a special day class and as a physical education teacher K-8. His goal is to obtain his special education teaching credential so he can continue to positively impact the lives of children with unique needs and learning styles.
 Jennifer Maze
1:1 Instructional Aide
Jen is originally from beautiful San Clemente, California. She began working in the special education field in her junior year at the University California San Diego when she joined the Neuro-Science Lab Research Team. For the next year, Jen worked 1:1 with autistic children participating in an autism research study.
In her free time, Jen loves to hang out with her friends and family, go to the beach and anything related to the outdoors.She is an animal lover . You can most likely see her at Dog Beach with her two boys, Oski and Toby. She is passionate about softball and has been a coach and hitting instructor in the past.
"I love working with children. I have been blessed to have been a part of some great organizations throughout my life. At Pioneer, we are more than just a school. We are a family! I'm very happy to say that 'I love my job!"
Albert Genevose
1:1 Instructional Aide
A.J. attended University California San Diego and took every behavior class that was offered, while earning his Bachelors in Psychology. He received training as a behavior consultant and has tutored children in the areas of Applied Behavior Analysis.His experience has led to improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by Autism and other special needs.
"What I like most about Pioneer is that every student is put into a position to succeed. With a team approach, the school is structured to guide students to excel and surpass expectations. The teachers facilitate an environment that helps develop social interaction and supports healthy friendship building."
 Jeanne Lee
Occupational Therapist
Born and raised on the beautiful beaches of Panama City, Florida, Jeanne first learned about Occupational Therapy in the 4th grade. An inspirational documentary was aired about a boy who was severely burned all over his body. He explained that his Occupational Therapist helped him through the very painful times. At the age of 15, she decided that she wanted to be an O.T. She has been working in the healthcare field since 1997 and loves making an impact in peoples lives. In her free time, she makes jewelery from fused glass and runs her small business Trinity Treasures.
"Pioneer Day School is not just a school, it's a family. I love that each member of the team is truly invested in the best interest of the children. The staff understands the demands of children with special needs and is sensitive and flexible.Hearing the kids laugh is my favorite part of each day!"
 Herb Hein
Speech Therapist
Herb earned his Bachelors Degree from State University of New York, Buffalo. He went on to earn a Masters Of Medical Science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Before moving to San Diego, he worked in a rehabilitation clinic and also taught kindergarten to second grade communicatively handicapped students. In 1981 he moved to San Diego and worked at Children's Hospital in the rehabilitation unit. From there, he moved to Sharp Hospital helping teens and adults with brain injuries return to school or work. In addition to helping them with their thinking and communication skills, Herb also helped them shop, cook, ride the bus and work in different kinds of jobs. In his free time he likes to sing, play the piano, write music, make things out of stained glass, swim, bike ride and kayak.
"I like working at Pioneer because Jim and the rest of the staff are very creative and patient people. Pioneer is a place where I can be creative too so I can help the students be the best that they can be. The students work hard, but also have a lot of opportunities to learn while having fun. There is a lot of music at Pioneer. I can write and sing songs with the students to help them learn to communicate well and be good friends. How cool is that?"
 April EllefsenMusic Teacher
April came to San Diego from Castro Valley, CA near the San Francisco area. She attended California State Hayworth earning a Bachelors of Art in Piano Performance. She has been a music teacher to preschool aged children through adults. Last year she worked with students at Curie Elementary School in San Diego. In her free time she likes to roller blade, sing, play her x-box and spend time with her friends.
"Pioneer is a special place because of the incredible staff. My first introduction to Pioneer was through the friendly staff. Overtime, I have gotten to know the students through music and have become increasingly excited about coming to work each day!"
Steve Kanallakan
1:1 instructional Aide
(Photo coming soon)
Steve comes to us fromthe high desert of Lancaster, CA. His first experience with special needs students was in the 1990s when he worked at a school for the deaf and blind with his grandmother. In his free time, Steve likes to play music, travel, skateboard and play with photography.
"I love it here! The students and teachers are fun and exciting. Everyday is a new challenge for me."
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