A creative and innovative teacher, Anne introduced a “choice program” that gives Lower School students ownership and responsibility for their creative pursuits in Art class. She helps students think critically about their work, encouraging them to develop their creative skills. Anne works collaboratively with her Lower School colleagues and often seeks interdisciplinary approaches to specific projects. One example of such collaboration was the Grade Three STEAM projects that combined art, technology, and science.

Anne actively pursues professional development through attendance at conferences and workshops. She often shares professional development ideas with colleagues. In recent years, she has presented workshops on her “choice program,” and she regularly serves as a mentor to aspiring student teachers from local colleges. At RCDS, Anne has led the Bowls for Haiti faculty initiative that raises funds during the International Arts Festival, and she serves on the School’s Balance and Wellness Committee.

In 2001, Cathie Bischoff joined the RCDS faculty as the new chair of the Science Department for Grades 9 through 12, a role that was later expanded to include oversight of the Middle and Lower School Science programs , as well. As department chair, Cathie models professional growth by participating in various conferences and workshops, and she enthusiastically encourages her department colleagues to follow her lead. Her teaching has recently focused mainly on AP Biology and AP Environmental Science, two courses where her students have achieved excellent results. She also has co-taught biology, physics and middle school science courses over the years. Most recently, Cathie has developed and co-taught an interdisciplinary engineering elective in the Upper School, while also serving as coordinator of the expanding, school-wide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) initiative.

Ginny is a master teacher with creativity and innovation at the forefront of her teaching practice during an impressive 40-year career at RCDS. This year she embarked upon teaching sixth grade Language Arts, in addition to her beloved eighth graders. Ginny exhibits excellence in teaching with her positive and caring attitude, fairness and respect for students, enthusiasm, dedication, and reflective approach to her practice. Ginny's advisees adore her; she is thoughtful, nurturing, and helps them see the big picture of their seventh- and eighth-grade years at RCDS.

Ellen joined RCDS in 2000 and has become a fundamental leader in the Middle School. She is an unassuming, practical, and knowledgeable professional and someone every single Middle School faculty member loves to talk to and go to for advice. She is an experienced member of the RCDS community and truly enjoys helping everyone grow and develop in their roles. Ellen has been a key supporter of school initiatives, including the Upper School girls' efforts to work with Middle School girls through the Etre Club and WISE.

Monique Caterina joined the RCDS faculty in 2010 as an assistant teacher and later was hired as a lead teacher for Kindergarten. She stands out as a strong collaborator, eager to work with all members of the community with thoughtfulness and quiet enthusiasm. She has extended the Public Purpose, Global Studies, and Balance and Wellness initiatives into her curriculum and instruction. Among her accomplishments, she has expanded the Homes Around the World kindergarten unit; run several after-school clubs; served as a co-leader of the SET (Saturday Enrichment Tutorial) program for local public students in Grades 1-4; and served as SCOPE Coordinator, Responsive Classroom Coordinator, Summer Mini-Camps Coordinator, and Assistant Teacher Mentor Program Coordinator. She has recently been awarded a fellowship through the Institute for Innovative Teaching and Learning to develop Mindfulness Toolkits for Lower and middle school teachers, so as to lead our faculty and students in developing a common language and practice.

An engaging, energetic teacher, Matt Cavanaugh has effectively taught all levels of Spanish from Level 1 through AP Literature during the past 18 years. He maintains the highest standards, cares deeply about each of his students, and is always focused on teaching the whole student. In this sense, he manages to balance a rigorous, yet nurturing approach in his classroom. An experienced chaperone, Matt has participated on numerous RCDS trips, including the service learning trip to Nicaragua, as well as the global studies trip to Sicily. In 2014, Matt was appointed co-dean of Grade 9, and he brings the same focus and understanding to these additional responsibilities that involve guiding and supporting freshman students as they begin their high school careers.

An excellent Humanities teacher, including United States History and Global Economics, Clemmie brings fresh ideas and innovative approaches to her classroom. She regularly attends conferences and workshops to stay current in her field, and she finds ways to connect her courses to current event and other disciplines.

Clemmie’s contributions extend well beyond the classroom, as she has been the assistant coach for the highly successful girls’ field hockey team. As a member of the Leadership, Character, and Ethics strategic planning committee, she helped to develop the first Student Leadership workshop that was launched in 2015. As co-leader of the school-wide Sustainability Committee, she has helped to keep “green initiatives” moving forward following the School’s 2013 Green Ribbon School recognition. In addition, she recently volunteered to chaperone a week-long service learning trip to Nicaragua.

Right from the start, Jay has been a true pied piper on behalf of the Drama and Dance department at RCDS. His collaborative approach within his department, as well as with faculty from other disciplines, is exemplary. Nominations in support of Jay pointed out the following: “The work that Jay does with his team and students is phenomenal; His work ethic is impressive.” In five years, he has grown participation in the Student/Faculty Musical, which involved 130 students in three sell-out performances of Legally Blonde this past February. Jay has also brought an innovative approach to the Spring One Acts by having students select the theme, direct the plays, and design the sets – all of which resulted in a well received Upper School assembly.

Jay is committed to professional development for himself and his department members. In his own case, he is pursuing a second master’s degree through summer study in Colorado. For his department, he uses his contacts in the New York theater world to bring actors and dancers to campus, and he invites his department colleagues to a Broadway performance each year.

Since 2006, Amy Haff has filled her classroom with joy and support for her students. She is consistent, has an upbeat positive attitude and addresses the emotional needs of students first and foremost. Amy is willing to reevaluate curriculum, introducing the First Grade Post Office this year, which was a huge success with all Lower School students. Amy continues her own professional development by investigating the new phonics program and shares her findings with colleagues.

Mary Krasovec joined the Upper School Science Department in 2008 as the RCDS physics program was growing. Ever since, she has led a strong course of study that engages and challenges students from an introductory level through various AP courses. A lifelong learner, Mary is constantly discovering new tools, new ideas, and new methods to improve her courses. In every respect, she is an impressive role model for female students in science and engineering. As head of the RCDS Young Physicists Tournament (YPT) program, she has adjusted the program so it now includes more students in this indepth study of physics problems. It is not surprising that, under Mary’s leadership, the RCDS YPT teams have been successful at the annual YPT competition, including winning the national championship in 2016 and the world championship in 2012 and 2017!

Joan Kubisch joined RCDS in 2005. She is a kind, nurturing, and understanding teacher who knows her students well. Joan’s accommodating and flexible nature has proven to be invaluable, as she teaches both Middle School French and Upper School Spanish. When a teacher left, Joan was ready, willing, and able to fill the void, both in terms of doing the work and receiving necessary support from her colleagues in the department. Joan carried these duties superbly and responsibly and continues to do so.

As a lead teacher of Kindergarten and now Grade Four, Nicole has demonstrated her strong ability to create, sequence, and scaffold curriculum. She integrates technology very effectively into her classroom, while offering differentiated instruction that meets each student’s academic needs. For students who need extra support, Nicole willingly extends herself, often meeting before and after school to offer extra help to individual students.

Nicole’s other Lower School contributions include serving on the school-wide Scope and Sequence Committee, participating on the Grade Four Admissions Committee, and mentoring the Assistant Teachers and new Lower School faculty. This spring, she helped chaperone the girls’ golf team spring training trip. In addition, she has served as the Summer Mini-Camp Coordinator for 10 years.

Mary Marcell joined the faculty in 1992 as chair of the Music Department and Upper School choral and band director. Under her leadership, participation in and energy for music at RCDS has grown tremendously. As an educator, Mary teaches her students the fundamentals of music, while also weaving the School’s commitments to diversity, inclusion, global citizenship, and service into her approach and into the repertoire she selects. Over the years, Mary has created many different singing groups to broaden students’ exposure to music and participation in the music program; The Bel Canto, Madrigals, and WildScats choirs provide greater opportunities for in-depth study. In addition, each year Mary combines the collective talents of students, faculty, alumni, and friends into an annual Festival Chorus concert that teaches all the participants a major work, performed with an orchestra, for the enjoyment of the RCDS community. A superb musician in her own right, a talented teacher, a spirited conductor, and an excellent educator, Mary has taken a history of good music at RCDS and turned it into a central and daily activity for a growing number of our students.

Ofelia has accomplished a great deal during her six years at RCDS. This year, Ofelia instituted "Math-o-Magic" during flex times in the cycle, which is an opportunity for students three times a week to come to her classroom to work with her on their math and ask any questions they might have. One only has to see Ofelia taking her students on a “math walk” to know that she is an innovative teacher. She's also one of the teachers who thoughtfully incorporates mindfulness into her classroom, which is extremely helpful for students with math insecurities.

Tammy is an excellent teacher who incorporates creativity and innovation into the Language Arts curriculum. She is also very dedicated to helping each and every one of her students. One Middle School colleague described her as “a pit bull on the pant leg of student learning.” Nothing falls through the cracks with her students; she meets with students at all hours and regularly throughout the school day to ensure that they “get it.” A similar, thorough approach is evident in Tammy’s work as an advisor. She is quick to communicate with parents of her advisees, and as a result, nothing falls through the cracks.

Tammy models ongoing learning for her students and colleagues. Whenever she attends a conference or workshop, she gives it her full attention and always comes back with outstanding ideas to share and to use in her classroom. She has presented at grade-level meetings about alternative/nontraditional ways to assess students.

Overall, Tammy is a wonderful and very capable colleague who does not seek the limelight, and her students and colleagues greatly benefit from her expertise and friendship.

Katie joined RCDS in 2016 and strives for nothing short of excellence in the classroom. She is constantly revising and improving the Computer Science curriculum to meet needs of both the school and individual students. Katie pro-actively linked Public Purpose to AP Computer Science Principles and electives. Her vibrant energy and kind nature enable her to forge strong working relationships with her colleagues, and she has revived the school-wide technology committee.

Susan demonstrates a solid work ethic, extra effort, and amazing problem-solving skills in all that she does. An exceptional collaborator and supportive colleague, Susan contributes significantly to the Grade Five team and the Middle School Math Department. As Math Department chair, she has been instrumental in the growth and development of the department.

In all of her interactions with students and advisees, Susan is warm, accessible, enthusiastic, and caring. She establishes high expectations for her math students and encourages them to work at their best level, while creating a respectful sense of community and belonging in the classroom. As with other excellent teachers, she is always willing to meet with students outside of class for extra help, often providing them with extra material to help them learn or master specific math concepts.

Last year, she shared her ideas with the Grade Five team for a year-long service learning project focusing on animals. This leadership is indicative of how Susan approaches her work at RCDS every day as she displays a positive attitude, support of the school’s mission, and genuine love of teaching her Middle School students.

In 2015, Iain joined the Upper School English Department and has since become a savvy leader of new faculty. He is a top flight teacher who creates a truly safe classroom, which allows room for all kinds of thinking and discussion. Recently, poetry hit mainstream in the student consciousness, and Iain is the adult energy behind this. As a published poet himself, Iain brings some of the adult work of the academic world into his own personal experience and shares it with the community.

During her six years at RCDS, Jenny has proven to be a versatile and valuable coach, leading varsity tennis, JV soccer and JV basketball. She is always willing and able to step in and help her colleagues, including covering for others on medical leave. She puts the students first and cares about doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. Jenny finds every opportunity to use teachable moments to reinforce life lessons learned in physical education and sports, and continues to be a superb role model for other coaches.

As one colleague pointed out Rich is the “definition of a master teacher.” As such, he is always exploring ways to expand what and how he teaches, including integrating technology into his classroom. Rich stays on top of his field through reading, web searching, and professional development, and he encourages department colleagues to pursue similar opportunities.

In addition to his teaching and department roles, Rich sponsored numerous independent study projects, and he led a series of lunchtime sessions featuring students who have been in his independent study group. These sessions present current topics for discussion among faculty and students.

All in all, students comment regularly on the rigor and challenge AND rewards of having Rich as a teacher. As students head off to college and beyond, they realize and appreciate the long- term impact he has on their critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Georgette Summers, assistant athletic director and coach of varsity field hockey and girls’ varsity lacrosse, joined the RCDS staff in 2000. In her 17 years at RCDS, she has coached the field hockey team to eight NYSAIS championships and the lacrosse team to three NYSAIS championships. The field hockey team has 204 wins, 74 losses, and 15 ties under her leadership, while the lacrosse team has 175 wins, 96 losses, and two ties. In 2015, the girls’ lacrosse team had its first-ever undefeated season, winning FAA, NYSAIS, and WNEPSAA championships. That year, Georgette was honored as the first recipient of the Frank Effinger Coaching Award. In addition to coaching, Georgette teaches the required upper school health course. More important than her stellar win-loss record is Georgette’s steadfast commitment to her students and athletes. She is an outstanding advisor to upper school students, and is committed to helping her advisees and athletes develop leadership skills, character, and mindfulness practices. Georgette’s positive and thoughtful approach to students, love for her work, and professionalism make her a model teacher and mentor.

Ashley has injected energy, expertise, and encouragement into the RCDS Dance program. Participation has increased at the Middle and Upper School levels as she encourages students to try Dance and manages to teach many different ability levels by framing her approach perfectly for each student. Ashley uses terminology at all levels to invigorate students’ learning, and she encourages students to reflect on the creative process.

Ashley is constantly thinking of new ways to collaborate with other disciplines and support other programs. By incorporating the choreography for the Musical into the Dance program, she has elevated the performances of everyone – the chorus and individual actors. She achieves this by seamlessly weaving together the best dancers with those who are just beginning their study. The annual Dance Recital has also developed into a major school event that includes dancers from Grades 7 through 12 and highlights some student-created dances.