Sierra Vista K-8

MEET MRS. RUSSELL

Dear Sierra Vista families,

My name is Andrea Russell and the 2022-23 school year is my 22nd as a Speech-Language Pathologist and my fifth year as a member of the Grizzly family!  I’m so excited that 2021-22 was a year of getting back to normal and to have everyone in my wonderful, almost new speech room for speech sessions and some IEP meetings!  I’m most excited about so many of my students making amazing progress and “graduating” from speech throughout this school year despite the challenges of Zoom the previous school year and masking this school year! The “upside” of Zoom during the height of distance learning was that many parents got to see firsthand what their students were working on. 

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University, Sacramento. My interest in working with children began early on when I would join in-home therapy sessions for my developmentally disabled younger sister. During my senior year of high school, I worked as a teacher assistant in a kindergarten classroom. Becoming a speech therapist is the perfect combination of teaching and making a difference with children who have communication difficulties. During my career, I have worked in several different elementary schools, in private practice in a pediatric clinic, and in Early Intervention where I provided services to students from age birth to 3 in homes and daycares.

Building positive relationships with students is an important factor in making progress towards communication goals.  I encourage conversation and curiosity while weaving in opportunities to address student needs, creating a natural setting whenever possible. I also provide easy-to- implement suggestions for home practice. Communication happens all day long!

Having spent many years at Travis AFB, we chose Vacaville for our home when my husband retired from the Air Force in 2014. You might spot Mr. Jeff driving a school bus around Vacaville! In my free time, I can usually be found working in my yard or travel planning. Our son graduated from Vaca High in June 2022 and will be attending/playing baseball at San Diego State University. Hopefully, spring will include watching him on the mound! I also continue to spend a lot of time with my younger sister as I am her main family support and conservator...and she calls me “Mom.”

I’m looking forward to another great school year with my Grizzly family!

Sincerely, 

Andrea Russell

Email: [email protected]