PK-12 Teaching & Learning TOSAs & COSAs

  • We, in HSD's Teaching and Learning department, exist to support the work of instructional improvement in our schools.  We are here to serve!  In order for us to maximize our resources, including our people and their time in the most impactful way, please contact your principal to request TOSA support.  TOSA time will be prioritized based on SIP goals of the school and their capacity to serve needs in a timely way.  We look forward to supporting your work in the effective implementation of quality instruction and building great classroom experiences for kids. 

    PK-12 Teaching & Learning TOSAs

    Yessica Hardin Mercado, Equity, Access, Engagement TOSA
    Yessica is collaborating with all to ensure a Culture and System of Care through all things Equity, Access, & Engagement within all (Foundations), for all (Connections), and through all (Supports). Yessica is available to collaborate with co-planning & co-facilitation, to ensure the implementation of professional development and affinity groups while supporting SIP and department equity goals. Please contact Yessica Hardin Mercado at hardinmy@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Dorotea Lopez, Family Engagement Specialist TOSA
    Dorotea will coach and mentor education liaisons, key federal programs staff, and school education liaisons on best practices for engaging families in the education system.  She will collaborate with district staff, administrators and community partners to ensure a close collaboration with families and community, and that the needs of the families are addressed.  Please contact Dortea at lopezped@hsd.k12.or.us

    Kristin Blomberg, Care Coordinator/Erin’s Law TOSA
    Kristin is coordinating the implementation of Senate Bill 856 (commonly known as “Erin’s Law”) at the high school level. This involves facilitating the selection/adaptation of curriculum, professional development for staff, and parent/community outreach. She is available to teach the mandated sexual violence prevention content at the junior and senior levels and supports all other staff members involved with its dissemination. Kristin will also be assisting with the Health curriculum adoption and is available to support health teachers/departments as requested. Please contact Kristin Blomberg at blomberk@hsd.k12.or.us

    Erin Hanson, Health TOSA
    Erin is coordinating the implementation of the K-12 health adoption. This involves supporting elementary teachers as they implement the new K-6 health curriculum, and collaborating with secondary PE and health teachers in choosing health curricula for adoption in the 22-23 school year. Erin will be working with district stakeholders in the integration of social-emotional learning and mental health with the multiple components of health education. Please contact Erin Hanson at hansone@hsd.k12.or.us

    Raya Nichols, Dual Credit TOSA
    Raya supports secondary schools by collaborating with teachers and post-secondary partners to ensure Dual Credit opportunities are offered and accessible for all secondary students. She supports buildings in identifying dual credit opportunities and supports teachers through the application process, curriculum alignment with post-secondary institutions, and ensures that teachers are able to maintain their dual credit offerings. Please contact Raya at nicholsr@hsd.k12.or.us

    Gabby Villamagua, PK-12 Dual Language TOSA 
    Gabby supports PK-12 Dual Language Programs, principals, and staff in the areas of Spanish Literacy, Spanish Language Development, and Spanish Foundational Skills. She also supports Professional Development and common assessments as it relates to authentic and current literacy research and best practice in order to support SIP literacy and language development goals across the district. Please contact Gabby Villamagua at villamam@hsd.k12.or.us

    Nicole Mito Ahern, K-12 Bilingual Programs TOSA
    Nicole supports K-12 Bilingual Programs, content teachers, and building administrators. K-12 Bilingual Program includes EL Case Managers, EL Specialists, and Bilingual Assistants. She helps support all teachers to implement effective sheltered and FIELD instruction for all K-12 EL students. Nicole also supports all District priorities, ELP Standards for speaking, listening, reading and writing, professional development, and common progressing assessments as it relates to current ELPA21. Please contact Nicole Mito Ahern at mitoahen@hsd.k12.or.us  

    Alfonso Lule, PK-12 DL Teacher Mentor/TOSA
    Alfonso provides district-wide support in the knowledge and delivery of effective instruction and pedagogy for beginning teachers. He also helps plan and facilitate professional development based on student data, building, and district needs for new teachers. Other responsibilities include Dual Language Program articulation and the Dual Language High School Tutoring Program, which focuses on providing experience to high school students in working with younger students. Please contact Alfonso Lule at lulejima@hsd.k12.or.us

    Carolyn Grenz, K-12 Title III TOSA 
    Carolyn plans, coordinates, and monitors the development and implementation of services, including extended-day programs, for English Learners (ELs) in accordance with federal and state Title III policy.  She writes our HSD Lau Plan and EL and Migrant Ed. Case Management Toolkit; collects, analyzes, and monitors EL student achievement data; provides technical school program support for principals and case managers; coordinates District EL professional development; and facilitates professional development for EL staff, such as Woodcock-Munoz, ADEPT, and QIA training. Carolyn also manages our District’s newly implemented English Learner Reclassification Portfolios. Please contact her at grenzc@hsd.k12.or.us

    Leona Guthrie, K-12 Migrant TOSA
    Leona assists with the coordination and implementation of the Migrant program to meet both student and community needs. She also coordinates migrant recruiters and acts as the Director of Federal Programs’ liaison with ESL/Migrant Case managers to support migrant students and families at the school level, district level, and state level. Leona is a huge support for extended day and summer school opportunities for our migrant population. Please contact Leona at guthriel@hsd.k12.or.us or ext 1564.

    Nicole Brown, K-12 District AVID Coach 
    Nicole BrownFirstName is available to provide direct support to AVID Coordinators, AVID Elective Teachers, AVID Tutors, and Site Teams to improve and expand the implementation of the AVID Elective.  Additionally, Nicole is available to work with Instructional Coaches and PLCs to support the implementation of AVID School-wide through the use of WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading).  She can help plan professional development, accompany teachers on instructional rounds, provide resources, etc. Please contact Nicole at brownn@hsd.k12.or.us

    Deb Luther, District K-12 TAG TOSA 
    Deb supports building administrators and building TAG Coordinators to ensure that schools operate in accordance with laws, statutes, and Board policy related to the state TAG mandate.  She helps support District priorities, and state and federal law; and design, deliver, and coordinate professional development and assessments related to the education of the District's TAG students. Deb is also involved in coordinating TAG enrichment opportunities like TAG, You're It! and SENG, a parent group focusing on the social-emotional needs of TAG students. Please contact Deb Luther at lutherd@hsd.k12.or.us
     
    Vanessa Ceccarelli, K-12 District Teacher-Librarian
    Vanessa is available to work with all district staff in support of their information literacy, research, or reading needs. She supports all district library programs, by working with library media assistants. Vanessa can help teachers create lessons or units, and specializes in technology integration, culturally responsive curriculum, digital citizenship, and research skills using the databases in OSLIS. She can co-teach, give book recommendations, put together multimedia resource lists for your units, or plan and deliver professional development at your next meeting. Please contact Vanessa at ceccarev@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Judy Ramer, K-12 PLC Consultant
    Judy helps principals and their PLCs engage in the ongoing study of their data and the constant practice that characterizes a group committed to continuous improvement, a cornerstone to a well-functioning PLC.  She does this by assisting with PLC group goals, where needed, assisting with formative assessment creation to help gather data, helping in looking at the data and how to use protocols to analyze it, when data is gathered and analyzed, and assisting PLC groups in knowing what to do with the data, and assisting principals with creative scheduling to allow for the maximum use of their staff and their resources. Please contact Judy at ramerj@hsd.k12.or.us

    Catherine Jager, Alternative Programs TOSA
    Catherine Jager supports building administrators, instructional coaches, department heads, and teacher leaders in all middle and high schools with their humanities instruction and the implementation of Tribal History/Shared History, Ethnic Studies Standards, and Holocaust and other genocides standards. Please contact Catherine Jager at jagerc@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Taylor Connors, Inclusion TOSA
    Taylor supports all building-level instructional teachers to ensure instruction is equitable and inclusive for all students. She assists teachers in making instruction differentiated, accessible, and meeting the needs of all students. Taylor collaborates with Student Services and the Equity Department to ensure all students have equal opportunities to be successful and thrive in the academic setting. Please contact Taylor Connors at connorst@hsd.k12.or.us

    Elementary Teaching & Learning TOSAs

    Kirstin Gerber, Early Learning TOSA
    Kirstin coaches and mentors effective teaching practices based on developmentally appropriate and best practices for Preschool Learners. She facilitates professional development and collaboration for effective classroom instruction; oversees and coordinates preschool staff PLCs, and preschool assessment data; and assists Early Childhood staff in using the data to plan effective instruction. Kirstin also supports preschools undergoing or implementing licensure regulations and SPARK.  Please contact Kirstin at gerberk@hsd.k12.or.us

    Floricel Negrete, Early Learning Dual Language TOSA
    Floricel coaches and mentors effective teaching practices based on developmentally appropriate and best practices for Preschool Learners. She facilitates professional development and collaboration for effective classroom instruction; oversees and coordinates preschool staff PLCs, and preschool assessment data; and assists Early Childhood staff in using the data to plan effective instruction. Floricel also supports preschools with bilingualism, biliteracy, and best practices in Dual Language instruction. Please contact Floricel at negretef@hsd.k12.or.us

    Rachelle Mejia, Early Learning Compliance TOSA
    Rachelle coaches and mentors effective teaching practices based on developmentally appropriate and best practices for preschool learners. She collaborates with the early learning team to develop and facilitate professional development and to promote effective classroom instruction. Rachelle supports the early childhood staff to ensure their classrooms are in compliance with state regulations and SPARK ratings. Please contact Rachelle Mejia at mejiar@hsd.k12.or.us 

    goldstein.jpg

    Jaime Goldstein, Reading Intervention Compliance TOSA 
    Jaime supports building administrators, coaches, and teacher leaders in planning, modeling, teaching, and leading CCSS and ELP standards for speaking, listening, reading, and writing across content areas. She also helps support District priorities, professional development, and common assessments related to current literacy research and best practice to support SIP literacy goals across the district. Please contact Jaime Goldstein at goldstej@hsd.k12.or.us

    Mandy Wedel, K-8 Math/STEM TOSA 
    Mandy supports building administrators, instructional coaches, department heads, and teacher leaders in all elementary and middle schools with their math instruction and STEM implementation. She is available to work with school teams in implementing best practices in math and science instruction while sheltering language and scaffolding content in order to give all students access to rigorous content. Please contact Mandy Wedel at wedelm@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Maricruz Acuña, Elementary Humanities TOSA
    Maricruz supports building administrators, coaches, and teacher leaders at the elementary level with humanities instruction and strategies to teach all our HSD students. Primary support will be directed towards Wonders/Maravillas instruction and implementation of Ethnic Studies Standards. Maricruz will also be continuing the work alongside Catherine Jager on the District Commemorations Project to further our knowledge, reclaim a shared history and provide diverse lessons and learning opportunities to our students. You may contact Maricruz at acunam@hsd.k12.or.us

    Jennifer Williams, PK8 SEL and Universal Supports TOSA
    Jennifer supports by collaborating with building administrators, instructional/student success coaches, wellness center instructors, and teachers with universal student supports and systems implementation PK-8. She also helps support District priorities, professional development, and community partner groups as it relates to building positive climate and culture. Please contact Jennifer at williamj@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Raquel Lemus, Elementary CCP TOSA
    Raquel supports the implementation of Career and College Pathways (CCP) in elementary school. She leads professional development and planning for the CCP Framework implementation. She collaborates with building leadership to align CCP to core content and social emotional work, mirroring district goals and best practices. She works with the community to build CCP partnerships with the Hillsboro School District. Please contact Raquel Lemus Garcia at lemusgar@hsd.k12.or.us

    Angela Adzima, Elementary Digital Curriculum TOSA
    Along with the Tech Teach Grow Team, Angela coaches and mentors educators in the effective use of technology for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, providing rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences accessible for all students. Responsibilities include supporting the HSD bond tech-enhanced classroom, K-12 1:1 device initiative, elementary school adopted digital curriculum, digital citizenship and supporting the active use of technology tools across all subjects (Google Workspace for Education, Pear Deck, Kami, EdPuzzle, Screencastify, Formative, Remind). Please contact Angela Adzima at adzimaa@hsd.k12.or.us  

    Barb Francom, Elementary Digital Curriculum TOSA
    Along with the Tech Teach Grow Team, Barb coaches and mentors educators in the effective use of technology for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, providing rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences accessible for all students. Responsibilities include supporting the HSD bond tech-enhanced classroom, K-12 1:1 device initiative, elementary school adopted digital curriculum, digital citizenship and supporting the active use of technology tools across all subjects (Google Workspace for Education, Pear Deck, Kami, EdPuzzle, Screencastify, Formative, Remind). Please contact Barb Francom at francomb@hsd.k12.or.us  

    Neill Twigg, Elementary PE TOSA (.1)
    Neill coaches and mentors effective PE teaching practices based on developmentally appropriate and best practices for PE teachers. He facilitates professional development and collaboration for effective physical education and oversees and coordinates elementary PE teacher PLCs. Neill is also the PE teacher at Patterson Elementary. Please contact Neill Twigg at twiggn@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Steve Johnson, Elementary PE TOSA (.1)
    Steve coaches and mentors effective PE teaching practices based on developmentally appropriate and best practices for PE teachers. He facilitates professional development and collaboration for effective physical education and oversees and coordinates elementary PE teacher PLCs. Steve is also the PE teacher at Orenco elementary. Please contact Steve Johnson at: johnsost@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Carissa Shrout, Elementary Music TOSA (.1)
    Carissa mentors beginning music teachers to provide district-wide support in the knowledge and delivery of effective elementary music instruction and elementary music pedagogy. She also helps plan and facilitate new music teacher professional development based on student data, building, and district needs. Other responsibilities include teaching general music and band at Quatama Elementary.  Please contact Carissa Shrout at shroutc@hsd.k12.or.us

    Dan Bosshardt, Elementary Music TOSA (.1)
    Dan supports elementary music and band teachers with materials and methods. He oversees the district-owned instrument pool of band instruments for 6th grade beginning band. He facilitates professional development and collaboration for effective music education and helps coordinate elementary music teacher PLCs. Other responsibilities include teaching general music at Lincoln Street Elementary. Please contact Dan Bosshardt at bosshard@hsd.k12.or.us

    Mark Anderson, Elementary Music TOSA (.1)
    Mark supports elementary music teachers by facilitating our district-wide music PLC, professional development, and meetings. He provides additional support in fielding questions, implementing curriculum and standards, organizing piano tuning, music grants and more. Other responsibilities include teaching general music and band at Free Orchards Elementary. Please contact Mark Anderson at andersma@hsd.k12.or.us

    Secondary Teaching & Learning TOSAs

    Xylecia Fynn Aikins, 7-12 Target and Focused Universal Supports TOSA
    Xylecia supports secondary building administrators, instructional/student success coaches, wellness center instructors, and teachers with universal student supports and systems implementation 7-12. She also helps support district priorities, professional development, and community partner groups as it relates to building positive climate and culture. Please contact Xylecia Fynn Aikins at fynnaikx@hsd.k12.or.us

    Carissa Fleming, Secondary Humanities TOSA
    Carissa Fleming supports building administrators, instructional coaches, department heads, and teacher leaders in all middle and high schools with their humanities instruction and the implementation of Tribal History/Shared History, Ethnic Studies Standards, and Holocaust and other genocides standards. Please contact Carissa at flemingc@hsd.k12.or.us

    Gretchen Erlandsen, Middle School Multilingual TOSA
    Gretchen supports content teachers at the middle school level. She helps content teachers integrate effective sheltered instruction strategies into their classrooms in order to support the language needs of all students. Gretchen also supports teachers during lesson planning to integrate ELP standards to enhance the learning environment and provide access to rigorous content for our middle school EL students in the four domains of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Please contact Gretchen Erlandsen at erlandsg@hsd.k12.or.us

    Hollee McNamee, Secondary Math TOSA
    Hollee supports building administrators, instructional coaches, department heads, and teacher leaders in all middle and high schools with their math instruction and STEM implementation. She is available to work with school teams in implementing best practices in math and science instruction while sheltering language and scaffolding content in order to give all students access to rigorous content. Please contact Hollee McNamee at mcnameeh@hsd.k12.or.us

    Anya Hershberger, High School Options TOSA
    Anya coordinates and supports alternative educational options programs, including the development and implementation of the HSD Early College High School program. She works with high school counselors to identify students for options programs and facilitates communication with stakeholders. She partners with Portland Community College to increase opportunities for dual credit and early college experience. Please contact Anya Hershberger at hershbea@hsd.k12.or.us

    Jem Wong, High School Options TOSA
    Jem coordinates and supports alternative educational options programs, including the development and implementation of the HSD Early College High School program. She works with high school counselors to identify students for options programs and facilitates communication with stakeholders. She partners with Portland Community College to increase opportunities for dual credit and early college experience. Please contact Jem Wong at wongj@hsd.k12.or.us

    Jeremy Carter, Secondary Digital Curriculum TOSA

    Along with the Tech Teach Grow Team, Jeremy coaches and mentors educators in the effective use of technology for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, providing rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences accessible for all students. Responsibilities include supporting the HSD bond tech-enhanced classroom, K-12 1:1 device initiative, secondary school adopted digital curriculum, digital citizenship, and supporting the active use of technology tools across all subjects (Google Workspace for Education, Pear Deck, Kami, EdPuzzle, Screencastify, Formative, Remind). Please contact Jeremy Carter at carterj@hsd.k12.or.us

    Jess Nies, Secondary Digital Curriculum TOSA
    Along with the Tech Teach Grow Team, Jess coaches and mentors educators in the effective use of technology for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, providing rigorous, relevant and engaging learning experiences accessible for all students. Responsibilities include supporting the HSD bond tech-enhanced classroom, K-12 1:1 device initiative, secondary school adopted digital curriculum, digital citizenship, and supporting the active use of technology tools across all subjects (Google Workspace for Education, Pear Deck, Kami, EdPuzzle, Screencastify, Formative, Remind). Please contact Jess Nies at niesj@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Ben Adams, Secondary Music TOSA (.2 FTE)
    Ben supports the needs of Secondary Music teachers in the Hillsboro School District. His purpose is to advocate for music education by collaborating with secondary music teachers, administrators, and the district office. He works for a comprehensive and equitable approach to music for all students throughout the district which includes music course opportunities, financial support for programs, and publicizing music events. In addition, he collaborates with the Elementary Music TOSAs to create a seamless transition in educational standards for elementary students to succeed in secondary music courses. If you want to help us with our mission, please contact Ben at adamsb@hsd.k12.or.us 

    PK-12 District COSAs

    Heather Fix, Student Support Systems COSA
    Heather coordinates programming and resources for planning and implementation of district-wide proactive support systems for students who are considered to be “at-risk”. She assists buildings in using data to identify students in need and to create a predictable system of support. Climate and culture and attendance alignment.  She does this through mentoring, professional development, and professional collaboration opportunities for Administrators, Graduation Coaches, Academic Options Teachers, and on-track teams. Please contact Heather at fixh@hsd.k12.or.us

    Alma Hernandez, Supervisor/Super-Tech Extended Learning Programs, Mental Health in Education
    The Extended Learning Programs Supervisor provides support for Hillsboro School District and the City of Hillsboro staff, community partners, and essential workers within established procedures. The supervisor ensures the accuracy of school and grant records within an area of responsibility and demonstrates knowledge and experience in the areas of public outreach, grant management, partnership development, and action-oriented inter-agency collaboration. Please contact Alma at hernanda@hsd.k12.or.us

    Jenny Cary, Mental Health COSAJenny is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and works with educators and district leaders to promote mental health and well-being in our school communities. She leads professional development around mental health awareness and promotion, the continuum of student supports, Social/Emotional health and wellness, and Trauma Informed Care. Jenny helps teams identify student needs and available supports and coordinates partnerships with community providers to ensure that, when care is requested, services are available and accessible to our students and families. Please contact Jenny Cary at caryj@hsd.k12.or.us 

    Junia Caley, Drug and Alcohol Counselor, COSA
    Junia works with counselors, administrators, and teachers to assist with care coordination; providing the integration of social/emotional supports, including addiction and/or mental health services and wrap-around support. She is a liaison for enrolling students in appropriate academic options, school programs, and postsecondary planning. Junia assists teachers and caseload counselors in planning and conducting conferences with parents and community agencies. Please contact Junia at caleyj@hsd.k12.or.us

    Maritza Carranza, Drug and Alcohol Counselor, COSA
    Maritza Carranza works with counselors, administrators, and teachers to assist with care coordination; providing the integration of social/emotional supports, including addiction and/or mental health services and wrap-around support. She is a liaison for enrolling students in appropriate academic options, school programs, and postsecondary planning. Maritza assists teachers and caseload counselors in planning and conducting conferences with parents and community agencies. Please contact Maritza at carranzc@hsd.k12.or.us

    Michelle Buyas, K-12 School COSA
    Michelle supports the work of counselors in both elementary and secondary levels in order to improve student achievement outcomes. She is tasked with coaching counselors with 3 years or less of experience and welcoming them to the district, as well as providing professional development to all K-12 counselors. Collaborating with building teams and district leaders, Michelle focuses on the systems related to counseling departments, ensuring that a strong voice for K-12 counselors is represented in the Hillsboro School District's work. Additionally, she supports counselors in meeting the academic, emotional and postsecondary needs of students using the American School Counseling Association's National Model and ODE's 6-year Educational Plan & Profile. Please contact Michelle at buyasm@hsd.k12.or.us