Teacher Development

Deena Russo, Director of Professional Learning

Email: deena.russo@highlineschools.org

Deena provides direct supervision of, and vision for, our professional learning model for instructional staff. She ensures that all new to career teachers have the support of highly skilled mentor teachers and the professional learning they need to have a successful start to their careers in Highline. Additionally, Deena ensures that classified instructional staff have opportunities for relevant, ongoing professional learning. Deena is committed to supporting all instructional staff in their professional growth as it relates to career development and opportunities for continued learning. Contact Deena to learn more about Highline’s vision and strategies for working with new to career teachers and certification pathways for para-educators.

Damaris Amaya, Professional Learning Administrative Secretary 

Email: damaris.amaya@highlineschools.org

Damaris is secretary to the Director of Professional Learning. Damaris supports Peer Mentor, Bilingual Teaching Fellow, National Board for Teachers and ESAs, and Para-Cert programs. Please contact Damaris for questions or support with administrative tasks such as calendars and events, extra service, travel and conferences.

Damaris is also the administrative secretary for Language Learning.

Tina Irish, Peer Mentor 

Email: tina.irish@highlineschools.org

Tina supports new-to-career teachers in service of equity for all students and teachers. She provides mentorship around culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, standards-based instruction, assessments, classroom culture and environment, professional growth and evaluation, and insight around being a new-to-career teacher.   

Tina also coordinates and supports mentors for new-to-career ESAs.

Richard Dunn, Peer Mentor

Email: richard.dunn@highlineschools.org

Richard supports new-to-career teachers in service of equity for all students and teachers. He provides mentorship around culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, standards-based instruction, assessments, classroom culture and environment, professional growth and evaluation, and insight around being a new-to-career teacher.    

Richard is a program facilitator for the Woodring Highline Bilingual Teaching Fellow program. Contact Richard for information about the Bilingual Teaching Fellowship. Richard is also a National Board facilitator. 

James Dyer, Peer Mentor

Email: james.dyer@highlineschools.org

James supports new-to-career teachers in service of equity for all students and teachers. He provides mentorship around culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, standards-based instruction, assessments, classroom culture and environment, professional growth and evaluation, and insight around being a new-to-career teacher.

James also supports Canvas course development and management and oversees the Danielson instructional-framework trainings for new and new to district teachers.

Barbara Edwards, Peer Mentor

Email: barbara.edwards@highlineschools.org

Barbara supports new-to-career teachers in service of equity for all students and teachers. She provides mentorship around culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, standards-based instruction, assessments, classroom culture and environment, professional growth and evaluation, and insight around being a new-to-career teacher.   

Barbara also supports candidates engaged in the process of becoming National Board certified.  She coordinates a facilitated program to support teachers through each step of this challenging, yet rewarding process.

Christina Smith, Peer Mentor

Email: christina.smith@highlineschools.org

Christina supports new-to-career special education teachers in service of equity for all students and teachers. She provides mentorship around culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, standards-based instruction, assessments, classroom culture and environment, professional growth and evaluation, and insight around being a new-to-career teacher.