Teaching and Learning TOSAs
Elise Cohen – Math/Science TOSA
Elise has a passion for seeing people perform at their best while being inspired to learn and grow from those around her. Her path to education started with her studies in biology and environmental science at the University of Pennsylvania and secondary education at the University of Oregon. She has worked in public schools for over 20 years as a middle school math and science teacher, a new teacher mentor, and professional development specialist. Please contact Elise Cohen at ecohen@ttsd.k12.or.us
Jen Devlin - ELD TOSA “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.” ~ Dr. James Comer
Jen Devlin’s core beliefs are that every student can succeed and this happens by knowing your students and how to best instruct each and every child while working alongside their families.
Jen Devlin’s undergraduate degree is in Human Development & Family Sciences with options in Early Childhood Education and Child, Youth and Family Services, from Oregon State University. She went on to earn a Masters of Arts in Education (MAT) from Willamette University in tandem with an endorsement for teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). She is the first in her family to attend college and the first to earn a Bachelor's degree and a Master’s degree.
Jen taught in public schools in both Colorado and Oregon focusing on schools with the greatest needs; a desire to work in schools with families with similar life experiences is important to Jen Devlin. She spent 17 years in elementary schools as a classroom teacher (Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades), reading interventionist, and ESL teacher (co-teaching K-5 and in SPED SCC classrooms), before moving to TTSD 2 years ago.
Jen now serves as the K-12 ELD/Title III Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for TTSD. She feels that her position continues her dedication to equitably serve, educate and promote success for all students. Please contact Jen Devlin at jdevlin1@ttsd.k12.or.us
ELD/Title III TOSA areas of focus: ELD student identification and class placement, ODE & Federal policies for ELD & Title III, Co-Teaching, Partnering with K-12 ELD Specialists, Dual-Identified ELD/SPED students, TTSD Translation & Interpretation services, Migrant Education, ELD Curriculum and Instruction, ELD Student and families.
ELD = English Language Development - Multilingual students that qualify to receive additional instruction to learn the English language
Karen Hughart - Elementary TAG Specialist
Karen Hughart has been a dedicated educator in the Tigard-Tualatin School District since 2000. A lifelong resident of Tigard and a proud alumna of TTSD Schools, Karen has consistently demonstrated a commitment to serving the community where she was raised.
Starting as a Kindergarten teacher at Metzger Elementary, Karen spent over a decade in early childhood education. In 2013, she transitioned to her role as an Elementary TAG (Talented and Gifted) Specialist, where she has been instrumental in identifying and supporting gifted students across all TTSD elementary schools, focusing on equitable, research-based systems and practices designed to reduce opportunity gaps in education.
Karen’s academic background includes an undergraduate degree from Western Oregon University, a Master’s degree and an ESOL Endorsement from Lewis & Clark College, and a TAG Specialization from Pacific University. She advocates for differentiation to ensure all students receive tailored educational experiences that meet their individual needs.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Karen is an active volunteer in various educational and community initiatives. She contributes her time to Parent-Teacher Organizations (PSOs), Site Councils, District Planning Committees, and local election campaigns that support education in the Tigard-Tualatin area. As a proud parent of two TTSD students, Karen’s involvement extends beyond her professional role, reflecting her deep personal investment in the educational success of her community. Please contact Karen Hughart at khughart@ttsd.k12.or.us
Kasey Fernandez – District Library/Media Specialist
Kasey Fernandez (she/they) has a passion for lateral reading, inclusion, research, student-selected reading, machine learning, data analysis, gamification, intellectual freedom, social justice, design and creativity. Kasey leads TTSD’s Library Services team and trains and partners with building library staff to maintain and develop TTSD’s library collections and services. Kasey curates the district’s Sora collection and accepts requests for ebooks and audiobooks. She has also begun to advise and support the Art Literacy program in partnership with the District Art Literacy Coordinator and the Director of Teaching and Learning.
Kasey attended college at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (MEd in Ed Tech) and Portland State University (School Library Media). Kasey has roots in Kaua’i, HI, where she met her partner and their three children were born. She likes to play konane and make lei, as she learned growing up, and appreciates opportunities to learn and share multicultural activities and knowledge. She loves to read SciFi, Suspense, and a wide variety of informative Non-Fiction texts. Please contact Kasey Fernandez at kfernandez@ttsd.k12.or.us
Pam Harrel – Two-Way Immersion TOSA
Pam currently serves TTSD by supporting the Two-Way Immersion Program. She draws on her experience as a Middle School and High School World Language teacher, as an English Language Development Specialist and as a Sheltered Instruction trainer to support our multilingual students and teachers. Pam assists in the long-term planning for TWI, in instructional coaching, course design, curriculum selection, assessment, student enrollment in TWI and inter-school communication. In addition, Pam coordinates testing opportunities for students applying for the Oregon State Seal of Biliteracy. Please contact Pam Harrel at pharrel@ttsd.k12.or.us
Alison Heath – K-12 TAG/Health/Social Studies TOSA After graduating from Lewis & Clark college with a major in Sociology/Anthropology and a Masters in the Art of Teaching, Alison Heath started her career in public education in 2001. Her passion for language and culture inspired her to help establish the first elementary Dual Immersion program in the Hillsboro School District, where she earned her ESOL endorsement and taught 2nd grade for seven years.
In 2008 Alison moved to the Tigard-Tualatin School District, sharing her love of learning with second and third graders for the next 13 years at Tualatin Elementary School. During this time, Alison explored her leadership skills as she worked on district committees in the areas of Math, Writing, Digital Learning, Instructional Leadership, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Erin’s Law (Health). Additionally, Alison became a New Teacher Mentor for TTSD staff as well as being a Cooperating Teacher for student teachers earning their Master’s Degree.
In 2021 Alison moved into an Instructional Coaching Position at Durham Elementary where she supported K-5 teachers in their practice as well as co-facilitated the roll-out of K-5 Comprehensive Human Sexuality Instruction for TTSD. This year Alison joins the Teaching and Learning Instructional Support TOSA Team. In her role as K-12 TAG, Health, and Social Sciences support TOSA, Alison is dedicated to serving the district’s students and staff in delivering rigorous and culturally responsive instruction in a warm and welcoming environment. Please contact Alison Heath at aheath@ttsd.k12.or.us
Chris Lieuallen – Choice Ready/Career & College Coordinator 8-12th grade TOSA
Entering year 21 with the Tigard-Tualatin School District, Chris has filled a variety of roles (ELD, Social Studies, Spanish, CE2) and is currently a part time TOSA supporting choice ready programming as well as the Intercambio Mentoring Program. Within education, he is passionate about fostering opportunities for exploration and curiosity - about the world, about others, and about oneself. In the greater world, Chris is known for always trying new things and picking up new hobbies. His current passions are disc golf, playing bass in a rock band, and crocheting. That can always change. Please contact Chris at clieuallen@ttsd.k12.or.us
Kathryn Stilwell – AVID District Director and Secondary Literacy TOSA
With over 15 years of experience in education, Katie has a background in teaching, curriculum development, and instructional coaching. She grew up in Connecticut and went to college in Upstate NY where she majored in Creative Writing and spent a semester abroad studying dance at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. After graduating from the University of Rochester in 2008, she accepted a position with Teach for America and moved to Hawaii to teach 8th grade English Language Arts on the Leeward Coast of Oahu. While there, she earned her M.Ed. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2010. After leaving Oahu in 2011, Katie taught in PPS and Hillsboro starting with ELA and eventually moving toward alternative education. In 2018, she spent a year as the instructional coach for a residential treatment facility for trauma-affected youth in California. Throughout her career, Katie has focused on empowering youth and disrupting oppressive systems. Katie has been with TTSD since 2021 where she began as a College and Career TOSA and now serves as the district AVID Lead and Secondary Literacy TOSA. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia Chicago, with a research focus on the development of antiracist praxis development in white educators. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at Portland State University's Masters College of Education. In her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, dancing, and spending quality time with her dog and friends. Please contact Kathryn at kstilwell@ttsd.k12.or.us
Morgan Whitney – K-12 Literacy & RTI TOSA
Morgan (they/them) believes that access to effective literacy instruction is a civil right. They have a Masters of Science in Inclusive Elementary Education from PSU and a Masters of Arts in Science of Reading from Mount St. Joseph University. Morgan has taught, learned with, and advocated for children for over 20 years in many different roles including special education teacher, elementary school teacher, child advocate, preschool teacher, Instructional Coach/ Specialist, and P-3 TOSA.
Morgan is excited to join the amazing team in TTSD and dive into all things literacy. Please contact Morgan Whitney at mwhitney@ttsd.k12.or.us
