Our Staff
Meet our highly qualified, collaborative, and innovative educators and staff members.
Meet the team that makes it work
Collaborative leadership
In our unique leadership model, a team of collaborative directors works together to meet the administrative and academic needs of each academic program. This shared approach to leadership allows each director to be hands-on with the teachers and students they oversee.
Continuous professional development
Through continuous professional development and unwavering dedication, our staff exemplifies the highest standards of excellence, making our vision a reality.
Inspiring new educators
We are grateful for our partnership with National University which allows our staff to enroll in their masters and teaching credential programs and complete their student teaching requirements on site. Our staff members are truly committed to inspiring every learner, going far above and beyond a job title or description.
Our leadership team
Meet the driving forces of HTS: our dedicated, experienced, and forward-thinking directors committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
Founder and Executive Director
For over twenty years, Gail has dedicated her life to education, teacher training, and advocacy. Under her leadership, HTS has grown from a pilot program of five students in 2001 to an award-winning, fully-accredited K-12 school, a licensed preschool, and a vocational education program.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Middle School Director
Jennifer Straw has worked in education since 2002 and has been part of the HTS family since 2006. She brings invaluable hands-on classroom experience to her role as our director of curriculum and instruction and her oversight of our middle school program.
Director of Inclusive Programs, Elementary School Director
Tracey Howell has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Princeton University. After graduation, she taught math, biology, chemistry and general science to secondary school students. She received a fellowship to Columbia University for their master’s program in curriculum and then worked for Teach for America, a non-profit group that matched Ivy-League graduates with inner-city schools.
School Counselor, High School Director
Michelle Giron oversees our high school program and serves as our school counselor. She has a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in school counseling and a pupil personnel services credential from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Administration
Administrative support
Preschool
K-8th grade
High school
Life Skills Pathway
Specialized services
Integrated support staff
Paraeducators
Ready to take the next step?
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