The Russell Bede School classroom teachers are fully credentialed, with extensive backgrounds in general and special education. They are supported by PE, drama, music, yoga and computer instructors who add enriching experiences to round out the education for Russell Bede students. In addition, the school offers on-site occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and social pragmatics training for those who want it.

Dr. John Piper, Principal

John Piper, PhD became principal at Russell Bede School after having worked more than 25 years for the San Mateo County Office of Education. At SMCOE, he directed special education programs for students with a variety of disabilities. Prior to that, Dr. Piper served as a teacher, counselor and school psychologist at the K-12 level and has taught college, including supervision of student teachers in Special Education.

Dotty Gradwohl, Teacher

With 23 years of teaching, Dotty Gradwohl brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. Her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Science and Chemistry from Indiana University combined with her secondary education credential have helped her to integrate all subjects in the classroom in a way that instills a love of learning, excitement and curiosity in her students. In addition, she produces the school yearbook and helps organize the annual science fair.

Stella Hearn, Teacher

Stella Hearn brings a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Stanford University, as well as several decades of clinical and educational experience. In addition, she has special training in technology in the classroom and intensive arts programs. Before joining the staff of Russell Bede, Ms. Hearn spent 30 years in the Palo Alto Unified School District as a speech therapist and special day class teacher, and worked in clinical settings before that.

Gina Williams, Teacher

During more than two decades teaching in Russell Bede classrooms, Gina Williams has taught all subjects in grades 2, 3 and 4 with a special focus on reading and language arts. She has a teaching credential, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in speech communication from Holy Names College and Cal State Stanislaus, as well as credentials in clinical rehabilitative services for language, speech and hearing. In addition, Ms. Williams is licensed as a speech pathologist by the state of California and certified by the American speech language and hearing association.

Catherine Foxhoven, Theater Arts

Catherine Foxhoven is an actress, singer and drama instructor with 32 years of experience in television, stage and radio, a Bachelor’s degree in theater, and a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on theater. In addition to her position at Russell Bede School, she also teaches at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where she has taught or developed courses on directing, character development, acting for commercials, auditioning, the psychology of drama and more. She has directed many children’s theater productions for summer camps.

Lori Moitie, Music

Ms Moitie has written and performed music for children and families in the Bay Area for over a decade, both in live concerts and on radio and television. Through their company, Kids Goove, she and her husband have written and produced songs to enhance educational and occupational therapy materials for children. Ms Moitie wrote and produced her own television show “The Cotton Candy Express Show” and hosted the KTVU Fox Kid’s Club in the East Bay for several years.

Lisette Lugo, Art Instructor

Ms Lugo has taught art to students of all ages and abilities for many years, and maintains an art studio in Redwood City. She has her BA in Art from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and is a Certified NMEME Therapist with the Art Without Boundaries Foundation. In addition to her position at Russell Bede School, Ms Lugo teaches many students individually and in groups who are challenged with Autism, Alzheimers or Stroke Disabilities.

Don Hibson, Physical Education

During more than 33 years in the classroom, Don Hibson has taught algebra, science, and physical education, and coached basketball, volleyball, tennis and boxing teams. His training includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from San Jose State University and he holds a general secondary education credential. He administers portions of the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge to Russell Bede students each year.

Other

Annge Carroll, Yoga

Annge Carroll has taught yoga to children for many years, including four years at Lincoln School in Burlingame. She completed “Integral Yoga” teacher training in June, 1999 at the Sri Gurudev Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco.

Roberta Bechtel, Business Services

Roberta Bechtel has been with Russell Bede School since April 2003. She holds a Business Management degree from CSU Long Beach and has worked in the employee benefits field for the past 21 years, most recently specializing in 401(k) plans for small employers. In addition to her work at Russell Bede, she is self employed, providing bookkeeping, payroll and benefits services to small businesses.

Claire Norton, Speech and Language Pathologist

Claire Norton is Director of Speech-Language/Learning Services at Coastside Pediatric Therapy in Half Moon Bay. With a Masters degree in Communication Disorders from San Francisco State University, she has worked in public and private schools as well as private clinics, specializing in literacy skills, reading disabilities, auditory processing, learning strategies, verbal apraxia, and more. She has extensive experience with social language programs as well as language and learning strategies.

Patricia Bodas, Occupational Therapist

Patricia Bodas is an occupational therapist at Coastside Pediatric Therapy Center in Half Moon Bay. She completed her BS in Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology at California State University, San Jose. She is a licensed occupational therapist and registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with both schools and medical centers, both in clinics and on an out-patient basis. Her focus is on improving sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills and social skills in school-aged children.

Ellen Golden, Speech Therapist

Ellen Golden is a licensed and certified speech pathologist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University. She works with speech, language, learning disabilities and voice disorders, including fluency and disorders affecting pitch and loudness. She has a private practice in San Mateo.

Susan Yourtz, Speech Therapist

Susan Yourtz is a speech pathologist with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in speech pathology and audiology from State University of Iowa and Stanford University. Her list of credentials and special training includes teaching for exceptional children, working with learning disabilities and attention problems, and remedial speech and lip reading. During her career, she has worked in the San Mateo County Office of Education, in private practice and as a developmental play consultant.

Lindsey McDougall, Speech and Language Pathologist

Lindsey McDougall has a BS in Child Psychology and a MA in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota. As a Speech and Language Pathologist she has worked in school, hospital and home settings, working with very young and school age children. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition to her work at Russell Bede School, Ms McDougall is a clinician at the Coastside Pediatric Therapy Center in Half Moon Bay.