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.

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.

Roxana Ramos Martinez, Peer Mentor

Email: roxana.ramosmartinez@highlineschools.org

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

Roxana is a program facilitator for the Woodring Highline Bilingual Teaching Fellow program. Contact Roxana for information about the Bilingual Teaching Fellowship.

Zanovia Clark, Peer Mentor

Email: Zanovia.clark@highlineschools.org

Zanovia 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. 

Angela Nguyen, Peer Mentor

Email: Angela.Nguyen@highlineschools.org

Angie supports new-to-career secondary general and 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. 

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.

Christina is also a National Boards facilitator.