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.

Matthew Engel
Theater Arts

With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Theater, a Master's degree in social work, and a California Educator's license, Matthew Engel brings a depth to the Russell Bede drama program that will help students find and express their creativity. He is active with the Pacifica Spindrift Players theater, teaching and directing children, and has worked in schools from Sunnyvale to Walnut Creek, helping at-risk children.

Gina Baldridge
Music

Gina Baldridge has been teaching children’s music for 10 years and has an Orff teaching credential from Mills College in Oakland. In addition to classes at Russell Bede, she runs the Tunes for Tots Orff Music School for young children, holds several positions at preschools in Burlingame, and teaches two K-3 music programs in the Burlingame School District. She enjoys bringing out creativity in children of all ages through music and movement.

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 ofthe President’s Physical Fitness Challenge to Russell Bede students each year.

Other

Dan Chapman
Computers and Technology

Dan Chapman owns and operates Computer Explorers, a small business that develops custom technical education programs for local schools and training departments. Prior to building the computer program for Russell Bede, Chapman worked as a software engineer, a high school math teacher and varsity soccer coach, and a computer science instructor at Ohlone College. He has a Master's degree in computer science and a California teaching credential.

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, language/learning strategies and Lindamood-Bell programs.

Deanne Kelly
Occupational Therapist

Deanne Kelly is an occupational therapist at Coastside Pediatric Therapy Center in Half Moon Bay. Kelly has participated in multidisciplinary teams in both adult rehabilitation and outpatient pediatrics, and provides supervision in student internship programs for Occupational Therapy. She has a Bachelor's degree from San Jose State University and is licensed by the State Board of Occupational Therapy.

Dee Eckelbarger
Speech and Language Therapist

Dee Eckelbarger has a state license as a Speech and Language Pathologist, and a California schools credential as a speech and language therapist and school audiometrist. During more than 20 years in the field, Ms. Eckelbarger has worked in preschools, private and public schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics and more. She has treated a range of communication disorders stemming from genetic, developmental and congenital conditions to post-traumatic and neurological disorders.