The Cottonwood School logo
Events
Login

HST Overview

HST Quick Links

What Does an HST do?

HSTs are the heart and soul of our school; without them, the amazing learning environment that we offer could not happen. The primary role of an HST is to ensure that our students are learning. This is a simple statement, but there is a lot that goes into making it happen. As an HST, you will fulfill many roles throughout the year. These roles include:

Teacher of Record

Officially, you are the teacher of record for your students. In this role you are responsible for:

Progress Monitoring and Compliance

  • Compliance Tracking
  • Learning Review Meetings
  • Work Sample Collection
  • Attendance
  • Assignment Work Records (AWR)
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Progress Indicators
  • Progress Reports
  • Grades & Report Cards

Lesson Planning for Individualized Learning

  • I Can Statements & California State standards
  • Curriculum Guidelines & Pacing
  • High School Planning
  • Assessing Learning and Progression
  • Star 360 Assessments
  • State Testing
  • Physical Fitness Testing

Supporting Diverse Learners

  • Multilingual Learners Support
  • Advanced & Gifted Learner Support
  • Struggling Learner Support
  • SPED Student Supports
  • 504 Student Supports
  • Different approaches and types of learners (see Educational Design Experts for help)

Learner Coach (Parent) Supporter

You are the main point of contact for your learning coaches. Supporting them includes:

Educational Planning

  • Helping them create their student’s education plan
  • Helping them select their curriculum and learning resources
  • Assisting them with ordering
  • Providing lesson planning and pacing guidance as needed

Being an Ally
Being a homeschooling parent can be tough. Sometimes, what the learning coach will need more than anything else from you is to be seen and heard. Be prepared to:

  • listen actively to what is and is not being said
  • offer guidance and support
  • help them find a solution
  • gently remind them that mistakes are okay

Communication

  • Communicating frequently and effectively with them
  • Providing guidance on what is expected of them as a learning coach
  • Helping keep them organized with planning support
  • Providing timely reminders of important dates and events

Student Supporter

You may not see your students every day, but they still depend upon you for support. Supporting them includes:

Instructional Support

  • Provide them opportunities to share what they are learning
  • Help them or assist them in finding help if they are struggling with a concept
  • Monitor for signs that a student is struggling and utilize available resources to help them overcome their struggle

Communication

  • Communicate that they matter by listening actively when they speak to you and fully engage in the conversation with them
  • Offer guidance and support when appropriate
  • Make sure they understand what is expected of them

Being an Ally

  • Learn about your students. Find out what interests them and use that information when you interact.
  • Listen actively to what is and is not being said
  • If they bring you a problem, help them find a solution
  • Offer guidance and support as needed

Fostering Community

  • Volunteer at school-sponsored events
  • Host (or help with) field trips
  • Have fun!
  • Connect with the people around in meaningful ways

Supporting Teamwork

  • Read all emails from your IA and the Admin Team and act when necessary
  • Participate in your regional team meetings and chat group
  • Offer to help where you see a need
  • Volunteer to take on tasks that need to be done
  • Reach out to your IA when you have questions or need support
  • Give and accept grace when mistakes happen or things change unexpectedly

Maintaining Professionalism

  • Be on time
  • Dress professionally
  • Communicate professionally, regardless of the medium or forum
  • Respond to requests and questions within 24 business hours
  • Meet all deadlines
  • Attend professional development events

HST Roles and Responsibilities

Daily

Family Communication

  • Text, email, phone, meetings
    (Diligence in addressing family/student’s needs and questions within 24 hours)
  • SAVE meeting notes and work samples in student folder/file; add significant info from texts and emails, if needed.

Procurify Enrichment Orders

  • Check and approve daily

Weekly

Read

  • Hawks’ Herald
  • Wednesday Weekly
  • Team Weekly Update, if any

Complete tasks and meet weekly deadlines noted in any of the above items

Attend scheduled student meetings – follow up with info family needs or has questions about

Monthly

Attend Monthly Staff and Team meetings

Attendance and Assignment Work Records (AWR)

  • Approve and complete at end of each Learning Period (LP)

Work Samples – Gather each LP

  • (See Compliance Calendar and team notes for LP and deadlines of completion for each LP)
  1. Review samples and prep PDFs with red 6 grid.
  1. Share all completed work samples with “buddy” to check for compliance; fix any errors found
  1. If requested, share folder with IA when all samples are buddy checked.
  1. If requested, once approved by IA, upload all work samples into Pathways
  1. SAVE a copy of final work samples in your Google Drive or files

Yearly

Assessments to be completed throughout the school year:

STAR 360

  • Assessment times: Fall, Winter & Spring
  • SAVE All reports to own student file for later referencing
  • Note: All grades participate

Physical Fitness Testing

  • Once in Spring
  • Grades: 5th, 7th and 9th only
  • Note: Scores submitted to and managed by testing coordinator

ELPAC testing – for English Learners

CAASPP aka SBAC

  • Once in Spring for Grades: 3-8th & 11th Grades

CAST/ State Science test

For 5th, 8th, 11th, and 12th Grades

Other Yearly Activities

  • Fall and Spring Professional Development
  • Assist at Community Team events, commitment hours
  • Curriculum Showcase – May
  • Graduation – May

Questions about this content? Katie Garcia, Heather Stokhaug, and Wendy Coller are the Hawks’ Nest Point People for this section.