Our teachers
Bonnie McFadden, MA • Founder
Bonnie founded RHS in 1981. Over the years she has developed an innovative art–integrated curriculum, using extended learning projects to teach holistic transitional kindergarten readiness skills. She incorporates the best of the best of early childhood curriculums and techniques into Russian Hill School's open classroom format. Bonnie prides herself on individualizing with each child, she leads the TK special project curriculum annually, and enjoys teaching teachers how to teach through the arts. Director McFadden holds an MA in Early Childhood Education and a BA in Education and Fine Art.
Alex Brownlee Jr.• Head of School
Teacher Alex is both an artist and a teacher and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development (Policy and Advocacy) from San Francisco State University, and Illustration with a minor in Advertising from the Academy of Art University. He returned to RHS to take over as Head of School after taking time away to raise his son, who has also joined our classroom! He is excited to rejoin us as Russian Hill School continues for another 40 years as a leader of exceptional early childhood education, and for his son River to learn and experience the RHS magic.
Hend Abdelwahhab • Teacher
Hend is our very own San Francisco native. She earned her A.A. degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, and has been using her talents & knowledge at RHS since 2008. Also a mother of three, she is well versed with the ranges of child development and brings her experience to the RHS community. Her unique art contributions to the school feature stain glass pieces ranging from four–door screens to hanging installments. As a women of diverse background, Hend is constantly introducing the students and her colleagues to multiple facets of culture through a variety of mediums.
Matt Burns • Teacher
Matt is a native of Watertown, New York and has called the Bay Area home since 1997. He holds an MFA from the Academy of Art University, SF and a BS in Elementary Education (K-6) from the State University of New York, College at Oswego. Teacher Matt joined RHS in 2012 where he was Lead Core Teacher until 2014, when he accepted a five-year position as Director of Friends of the Sharon Art Studio, handling all facets of programming and curriculum for a large range of learners (from elementary age to adults and seniors). Matt is committed to reaching students to build technical confidence, self-expression, and creative connections to the larger world.
Vanessa Sharif• Teacher
Vanessa holds a Bachelor's in Music from SFSU. Originally from San Diego, Vanessa moved to SF in ‘21 to pursue her passion for music. She participated in different musical groups like the Afro-Cuban Ensemble at SFSU, the All-Women's Salsera Band at the Mission Cultural Center of Latin Arts, and more. Vanessa spends her free time working on music production, composition, songwriting, and will be releasing her first EP in October ’25. Her goal is to inspire kids to become the best they can be whether it's in music or other hobbies.
Olivia Competente • Teacher
Olivia Competente is instructor of all things sparklies, a native of San Francisco. With a love of all things jewelry she is versed in metal smithing and her first love of dichroic glass (glitter glass). Olivia taught at the Sharon Art Studio Art In The Park summer program for over 10 years and as jewelry manager for 10 years She loves all things sparkly and colorful.
Jamison Watkins• Teacher
Teacher Jamison has a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from Antioch College. He is an advocate for social justice. He has previously worked as a queer center coordinator in Antioch College to provide a safe space and advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community in Yellow Springs, OH where he was also a preschool teacher for 2 years before moving to San Francisco.
Claire Bryant• Intern
Claire is an incoming senior at SF State studying cell and molecular biology (with a minor in music). She has always been fascinated by science and recently realized she wants to be a genetic counselor. After interning at a preschool last summer, Claire discovered an additional passion for working with young children. She had a fantastic time teaching the students about music and hopes to teach the RHS kiddos about both music and science! In her spare time, she pet-sits and volunteers with cats at the SPCA.
RHS Admin
Katharine Threlfall, PhD • Assistant Director
Kate literally grew up in the school. Bonnie is her mom (in case you didn’t know!). Kate was a Teaching Assistant at RHS in high school and college, and eventually became a teacher after graduating from UCB. Since then Kate has shifted her focus to school operations. She is the Vice President of the RHS Board of Directors and holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in child and family.
Pranita Prasadi • Office Manager
Pranita is originally from the Fiji Islands. She graduated with a Bachelors in Business Management / Administration from California State University, Bakersfield. Before joining RHS, she worked at Mercy High School in San Francisco. She has been a long-standing resident of San Francisco since 1994. Pranita is married and a proud Mom of her two sons. She very much enjoys spending time with her family enjoying the unique culture and diversity of the City of San Francisco.
Christine Regan • Director of Admissions & Community
Christine holds a BFA in Photography and Integrated Media from California Institute of the Arts and is happy to call the Bay Area home after living in the LA area, Seattle, and Berlin. She enjoys reading, espresso, her cat Tschüssi, & gentle breezes.