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Pioneer TK-8

Home of The Panthers

Pioneer TK-8

Home of The Panthers

First Grade

Christine Ballesteros

Christine Ballesteros

Ballesteros Family at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Mrs. Ballesteros sitting on a butterfly bench
Ballesteros Family at Super Nintendo World
Hello! My name is Mrs. Ballesteros and I am very excited to be your child's first grade teacher! It is going to be a fun year full of learning and new adventures. I know we will get to know one another over the course of the school year, but here are a few things about me!
 
This is my fifteenth year of teaching, my sixth year as Pioneer School webmaster, and my third year as mentor to new teachers! I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature, with a concentration in World Literature and Cultural Studies, followed by my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and lastly received my Masters in Education, emphasis in Curriculum, focus in Reading Instruction. My teaching experiences range from kindergarten through 4th grade in the New Haven Unified School District, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, and here in Twin Rivers Unified School District! 
 
Outside of school, I love spending time with my husband and children. We are a family who loves singing and dancing together. We also like going on adventures to fun places like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Discovery Kingdom, or the Aerospace Museum.
 
I like butterflies, which is why our class is The Butterfly Class. I enjoy getting lost in a good book. My favorite band of all time is the Backstreet Boys! I am hooked on chocolate, coffee, and Jamba Juice. My favorite sports teams are the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and especially the San Jose Sharks!
 
It takes a community to teach a child, a community of parents, guardians, and teachers working together. Parents and guardians are encouraged to email me with any questions or concerns you may have. Cheers to a great year together!
 
 
 
Steph Emerson

Steph Emerson

Mrs. Emerson
Emerson Family
Our dog, Heidi
My name is Steph Emerson, and I will be teaching first grade at Pioneer this year.  I have a passion for teaching first graders because they are eager learners and it’s exciting to see how much they grow in one year.  Also, my sense of humor is on the level of a six-year-old, which might be why I enjoy hanging out with them so much.
 
My husband and I have two kids and a ten-year-old puggle named Heidi.  Our daughter is a freshmen in college and she loves Minecraft, music, shoes, and anything relating to the 1970’s.  Our son is an eighth grader, and he loves lacrosse, hanging out with his friends, playing video games, and not listening to his parents.  Our family enjoys traveling because we love exploring new places.  I enjoy traveling because I get my kids’ undivided attention for weeks at a time.  We also like to play board games and kayak.  
 
Besides hanging out with six-year-olds, I enjoy reading, writing, doing yoga, hiking, eating, procrastinating, and going to the movies.  I’m so excited to be a Panther!
 
 
 
HAILEY SIBRIAN

HAILEY SIBRIAN

Ms. Sibrian and her boyfriend
Ms. Sibrian
Ms. Sibrian and her brothers
My name is Hailey Sibrian and this will be my third year teaching! I am so excited to be part of the awesome first grade team at Pioneer Elementary and to meet you all.
 
A little about myself. I went to California State University, Sacramento where I completed my Bachelor's of Arts degree in Child Development, followed by my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and lastly received my Masters in Education at Brandman University. Before becoming a teacher I was an after school leader for 5 years at Westside Elementary and a substitute for the district for 3 years. I am bilingual and speak Spanish.
 
Outside of school, I love traveling and going to new places. I also started collecting different succulents and houseplants during the Pandemic and became a hobby of mine. They bring me peace and joy and decided to bring that into my classroom with the succulent/plant theme. My love for animals has brought me to have two horses, a goat, a dog, 4 outside cats and 2 kittens. I like listening to Podcasts and enjoy all kinds a music such as country, reggae, reggaeton, rock, merengue, and hip hop etc. I am hooked on bubble tea, sushi and have a major sweet tooth.
 
I am looking forward to teaching all of my amazing 1st graders! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to a great year together.