Pioneer Middle School
Counselors
Mrs. JoAnne Kurtz has been a School Counselor for over 30 years and has her MS, PPS, and Administrative Services Credential. At Tustin Unified, her experience includes being a middle and high school assistant principal and middle school counselor. As an active member of the Pioneer community, she is excited to be a part of a team that plans, coordinates, and manages Pioneer’s comprehensive school counseling program. She enjoys having a hands-on role outside of the classroom, counseling students and focusing on overall wellness by helping students express emotions, reduce stress, and increase their coping skills.
When she is not supporting students, families, and collaborating with Pioneer staff, Mrs. Kurtz enjoys spending time with friends and family. Her married daughter went to Pioneer, Beckman, and graduated from USD. She met her husband while volunteering at the Pageant of the Masters, and they enjoy spending time in Laguna Beach each summer.
Helping students overcome challenges and watching students find their passions are just some of the reasons Mrs. Kurtz finds being a counselor rewarding. She believes that student success and accomplishment is equipping them to become the best version of themselves. She finds it heartwarming that her students continue to share their personal, academic, and career goals and successes with her years after they leave middle school.
Mrs. Kurtz’s caseload at Pioneer includes students with last names Li-Z and she is looking forward to seeing you soon!
Mr. Juan Morante has been a counselor for Tustin Unified since 2019. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton, and a Masters Degree and PPS Credential in School Counseling from National University. Mr. Morante’s emphasis continues to be collaborating and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program for Pioneer’s students and stakeholders in order to maximize all students’ academic potential and social well-being. Mr. Morante is WEB trained and the advisor for this unique mentor program that helps incoming 6th grade students feel welcomed and at ease as they transition into the next stage of their academic journey, middle school. WEB stands for “Where Everybody Belongs” and aims at creating a positive environment for all students who step foot onto the Pioneer campus with the mentorship and leadership help of the amazing 8th Grade WEB Leaders.
Before joining the Tustin Unified School District, Mr. Morante served as the College and Career Specialist and Intervention Coordinator at Woodbridge High School in Irvine. He also worked as a Parent Consultant with the Regional Center of Orange County, where he provided training and guidance to parents navigating the unique behavioral challenges associated with caring for loved ones with disabilities.
Outside of work, Mr. Morante enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two daughters. He is a passionate sports fan who enjoys watching a wide variety of professional sports, as well as biographies, true crime documentaries, and listening to music across multiple genres. In his free time, he also enjoys visiting local flea markets, where he has developed a unique hobby of collecting interesting and unusual antiques and oddities. These interests reflect his appreciation for history and storytelling.
Mr. Morante is excited to kick off the school year and is looking forward to supporting students and their families have a great middle school experience.
Mr. Morante's caseload includes students with last names A-Le and is looking forward to working with his students and their families!