Staff Spotlight: Brenna Russ

This month, we are proud to spotlight Brenna Russ, the dedicated GATE and ELD teacher at Toddy Thomas Middle School. With over 20 years of experience in the Fortuna Elementary School District, Brenna brings passion, professionalism, and a cheerful presence to everything she does.

Brenna has taught every grade level except Kindergarten and TK, but her favorite by far is fifth grade. “Fifth graders have a thirst for knowledge and are still young enough to be excited about school,” she says. Over the past three years, she has focused on Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and English Language Development (ELD) at Toddy Thomas, and she recently completed her GATE certification—a milestone that sparked a new passion for gifted education.

Her principal, Kent Chapman, shares, “Brenna is a team player who goes above and beyond for our ELD students. She’s cheerful and professional.” Her work supporting diverse learners and contributing to the broader school community does not go unnoticed.

Brenna’s favorite part of being a teacher is the variety each day brings. “No day and no student is ever the same,” she explains. She especially enjoys seeing students light up when they learn something new and take pride in sharing that knowledge with others.

A fun fact about Brenna: She has a Miniature Australian Shepherd named Bronco, and together, they love participating in dog agility!

Brenna Russ is a valuable part of the Toddy Thomas team, and we’re grateful for her dedication to both students and staff. Thank you, Brenna, for your energy, your commitment, and all the extra heart you bring to your work every day!