The annual Employee Tea is a longstanding Rye Country Day tradition held at the conclusion of every school year. Faculty and staff come together annually to reflect on the school year and celebrate exceptional individual accomplishments of their fellow colleagues. Head of School Randall Dunn presented awards and fellowships, as well as honored employees who are retiring and those who are celebrating 20+years of employment at RCDS. Remarks were also given by faculty members close to the retirees about their time working together.

Anniversaries

30 Years of Service

• Johnny Flynn, Upper School Humanities Teacher
  Remarks presented by Ali Morgan, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

20 Years of Service 

• Sara Ingrassia, Lower School Mathematics Coordinator
  Remarks presented by Jess Hauben, Lower School Grade 3 Teacher 
   
• Richard Knazik, Physical Education Teacher & Coach 
  Remarks presented by Georgette Summers, Assistant Director of Athletics
   
• Kelly Melandro, Director of the Annual Fund
  Remarks presented by Lynette Gioffre, Director of Advancement
   
• Pamela Sheehy, Upper School Spanish Teacher
  Remarks presented by Matt Cavanaugh, Upper School Spanish Teacher, and Maggie Parker, Upper School Modern Languages Department Chair

Retirees

• Mark Bortner, Middle School Science Teacher, 2005-2023 (18 years)
  Remarks presented by Ryan Horton, Middle School Language Arts Teacher 
   
• Susan Kartzmer, Extended Day Director, 2016 - 2023 (7 years)
  Remarks presented by Jeff Bates, Director of College Counseling 
   
• Sue Keown, Middle School Art Teacher, 2011-2023 (12 years)
  Remarks presented by Lauren Behar, Lower School Art Teacher, and Susan Peck, Middle School Mathematics Department Chair and Teacher

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

• Jeff Bates, Director of College Counseling, Grade 12 Dean
• John Calandros, Physical Education Teacher & Coach
• Erin McDonald, Middle School Language Arts Teacher
• Betsy Stedman, Interim Middle School Principal
• Whitney Turner, Lower School Computer Science Teacher

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

• Georgette Summers, Assistant Director of Athletics
• Matt Cavanaugh, Upper School Spanish Teacher

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

• Tammy McKenna, Middle School Learning Specialist 

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

• Kelly Barker, Lower School Psychologist

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.

• Ethan White, Upper School Humanities Teacher

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.

• Binns Moss, Maintenance Supervisor

Endowed Chairs

Brockman Lower School Chair 

• Monique Caterina, Lower School Kindergarten Teacher

RCDS PA Chair

• Baptiste Bataille, Upper School French Teacher

English Department Chair 

• Erin McDonald, Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Class of 2006 Chair 

• Kerry Linderoth, Director of Sustainability

Wachenheim Family Chair

• Clemmie Everett, Upper School Humanities Department Chair, Grade 9 Dean
• Kyle Mitschele, Middle School Social Studies Department Chair

Lower School Chair

• Joanne Aventuro, Lower School Grade 3 Teacher

Middle School Chair

• Amanda Sackey, Middle School Science Teacher

Middle School Chair 

• Ryan Horton, Middle School Language Arts Teacher 

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.

• Beatrice DeSabatino, Middle School Classics Teacher
• Erin Dolan, Upper School Art Teacher 
• Katy Everett, Upper School English Teacher
• Tameka Farrell-Bowman, Science Department Chair, Upper School Science Teacher
• Johnny Flynn, Upper School Humanities Teacher
• Jess Hauben, Lower School Grade 3 Teacher
• Kate Henerey, Middle School Drama and Dance Department Chair 
• Libby Jelliffe, Director of Learning Support Services (Pre-K - 12), Middle School Learning Specialist 
• Alex Kerker, Lower School Learning Specialist
• Ray McGhee, Director of Fitness Center, Upper School Physical Education Teacher
• Kelly Melandro, Director of the Annual Fund
• Maggie Parker, Modern Languages Department Chair, Upper School French Teacher
• Jac-que Robinson, Director of Performing Arts Spaces and AV Technology
• Matt Rosolen, Grades 7 & 8 Dean, Middle School Mathematics Teacher 
• Debra Simpson, Lower School Science Teacher