On May 26, 2026, Rye Country Day Faculty and Staff gathered to honor retirees and long-time faculty members, as well as recognize endowed chairs and award winners at the Employee Tea in the Middle School/Upper School Dining Hall.

 

ANNIVERSARIES

40 Years of Service
Donald Kyle, Upper School Dean of Students; Upper School English Teacher

30 Years of Service
Betsy Stedman, MS Assistant Principal

20 Years of Service  
Joanne Aventuro, Grade 3 Teacher
Amy Haff, Grade 1 Teacher
Jenny Heath, US Principal
Leif Halverson, US Learning Specialist
Stacy La Bella, Grade 4 Teacher
Binns Moss, Maintenance Supervisor
Elvira Rebate, LS/US Spanish Teacher
Jac-que Robinson, Director of Performing Arts Spaces and AV Technology

 

RETIREES

Ginny Black
MS Language Arts Teacher
1978-2026, 48 years of service

John Hager
MS/US Band Director
2000-2026, 26 years of service

 

AWARDS

Seniority Fellowship
Awarded to faculty and staff who have served Rye Country Day for over 10 years are eligible for one of five Seniority Fellowships.

Casey Hallen, US Filmmaking Teacher & Grade 10 Dean
Melissa Liebowitz, MS Music Teacher
Tammy McKenna, MS Learning Specialist
Charles Ogbonna, Physical Education Teacher; Coach
Heidi Southard, Head Athletic Trainer; US Health Teacher
 

Will McCurdy Memorial Award
Established in 2015 in memory of Will McCurdy ’05. Given in recognition of outstanding advising in the Upper School. 

Anna Meechan, US Math Teacher & Grade 11 Dean
Laura Mungavin, US Spanish Teacher

Carol Lichtenfeld Memorial Award
Established in 2019 in memory of RCDS Teacher Carol Lichtenfeld. Given in recognition of outstanding Middle School advising.

Marcia Mignon, MS Science Teacher
 

Lower School Advising Award
Established in 2022 to recognize a Lower School teacher who went above and beyond in support of students.

Alex Kerker, LS Learning Specialist
 

Frank Effinger Outstanding Coaching Award
Established in 2013 by Adam Friedlander ’79 in honor of longtime RCDS Coach and Field House Director Frank Effinger. Given in recognition of a member of the RCDS coaching staff for their outstanding service to RCDS.

Pam Farber, Coach
 

Linda Grossman Award
Established in 2010 in honor Linda Grossman, Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. Given in recognition of a staff member for their outstanding service to RCDS.

Jay Solis, Assistant Director of Information Technology 

 

ENDOWED CHAIRS
The Rye Country Day Endowed Faculty Chair program was established to honor and reward outstanding teachers in all three divisions of the School. The following endowed chairs rotate every three years.

Brockman Lower School Chair
Karen Cosgrove, Lower School Second Grade Teacher - 2025-2028
(2026-27 - Second Year)

Class of 2006 Chair 
Charlotte Green, Upper School Humanities Teacher - 2025-2028
(2026-27 - Second Year)

English Department Chair
Andres Cerpa, Grade 11 Dean, Upper School English Teacher - 2024-2027
(2026-27 - Third Year) 

Lower School Chair 
Amy Haff, Lower School First Grade Teacher - 2024-2027
(2025-26 - First Year)

Middle School Chairs
Tammy McKenna, Middle School Learning Specialist - 2025-2028
(2026-26 - Second Year) 

Tim Silverman, Grades 7 & 8 Dean - 2026-2029
(2026-27 - First Year)

RCDS Parents Association Chair
Craig Burt, Grade 10 Dean, Upper School Science Teacher - 2024-2027
(2026-27 - Third Year)

Wachenheim Family Chair 
Clemmie Everett, Upper School Humanities Department Chair & Teacher
Kyle Mitschele, Middle School Social Studies Department Chair

 

THE COHEN FELLOWSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION

Through yearly Cohen Fellowship for Excellence & Innovation grants, Rye Country Day School actively advances the School’s commitment to pedagogical excellence and continual professional growth for employees. These grants afford Cohen Fellows the opportunity to develop their passion for education and stay current in their individual fields through innovative knowledge acquisition. Through the personal and professional endeavors associated with the receipt of this award, Cohen Fellows help the School to build upon its tradition of excellence through creativity and innovation.

Joanne Aventuro, Grade 3 Teacher
Kelly Barker, Director of LS Emotional Learning; LS Psychologist
Angelo Bove, US Science Teacher
Nicola Clarkson, Physical Education Teacher; Coach
Margie deStaso-Fazulak, Director of Human Resources
Adele Dominicus, MS Math Department Chair
Kamauru Johnson, Director of Counseling; US Psychologist
Chris Kaye, US Art and Photography Teacher
Lisa Malloy, Special Events Coordinator
Amy Man, MS Social Studies Teacher
Andrea McLean, US Learning Specialist
Aimee Rincon, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
Lyvia Sage, LS/MS French Teacher
Betsy Stedman, MS Assistant Principal
Whitney Turner, LS Computer Teacher