Dr. Barbara Russell graduated from DeSales University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a PA teaching certificate.  She began her career as an educator in the fall of 1985 teaching science at Perkiomen Valley High School. In her desire to be a lifelong learner, Dr. Russell immediately enrolled in graduate studies at West Chester University where she earned a master’s in biology in 1990. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for her master’s degree, she completed a thesis entitled, The Effects of Certain Antiarrhythmic Drugs on the Activity of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I in Rat Heart Mitochondria. The study focused on the mechanisms by which antiarrhythmic drugs function to treat arrhythmias of the heart and was published in the Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science in 1995.  

 

Dr. Russell taught high school chemistry and biology for approximately 15 years before transitioning to the role of K-12 science curriculum coordinator. This role extended her experiences to middle and elementary levels and the unique qualities of teaching and learning associated with younger students. She became an administrator in 2004 serving as an assistant principal at one of the District’s middle schools and then principal at Skippack Elementary in 2005. In 2007, Dr. Russell transitioned to a position at the central office and expanded her leadership responsibilities to the areas of curriculum and instruction, district wide. In 2011 she was commissioned as the assistant superintendent under Dr. Clifford Rogers and in 2017, appointed superintendent of the Perkiomen Valley School District.  Her contract was recently extended until 2027. 

 

Along her career path, Dr. Russell continued her graduate studies, earning a masters in educational leadership from Lehigh University in 2008 and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013.  Her dissertation was entitled, Principals’ Perceptions of the Influence of Central Office. Her strong interest in working with people along with the ongoing opportunities to share her passion for the sciences and learning in general, has led Dr. Russell to a career in education that spans 35+ years. The experiences in her current role as superintendent afford her a variety of opportunities to engage with students, staff, and community members and lead the schools of the District to offering the strongest educational experiences possible. Dr. Russell loves her work and looks forward to several more years of dedicated service to the school district. 

 

In her personal life, Dr. Russell is married to her husband John and they have three children, Janie, Nick, and Colin. She enjoys listening to audio books, cooking and outdoor activities.