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. 

The annual Employee Tea is a longstanding Rye Country Day tradition held at the conclusion of every school year. Faculty and staff come together to reflect on the year and celebrate exceptional individual accomplishments of their fellow colleagues.

Outstanding contributions to Rye Country Day are recognized through various awards, fellowships, and recognitions, as well as anniversary and retirement celebrations. Congratulations and deep gratitude to all of our awardees and honorees! 

ANNIVERSARIES

20 Years of Service 

Nicole Leath - Lower School Assistant Principal
Remarks presented by Stacy Kaufman and Sandra Castagna

Brian O'Callaghan - Middle School Assistant Principal, Grades 5 & 6 Dean, & Social Studies Teacher
Remarks presented by Tim Silverman

Lizanne Rosenzweig - Middle School Spanish Teacher
Remarks presented by Meredith deChabert and Betsy Stedman

RETIREES

Patrick Early, Security & Coach, 2007 - 2024 (17 years)
Remarks presented by Mike Kenny and Kyle Mitschele
 
Lauris Khan, Upper School Mathematics Teacher, 1999 - 2024 (25 years)
Remarks presented by David Yellen and Emily Bennett

Gil Castagna, Physical Education Teacher & Coach, 1979 - 2024 (45 years)
Remarks presented by Ginny Black and Frank Effinger

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. 

D. D. Huang - Middle School Mandarin Chinese Teacher
Laura Mungavin - Upper School Spanish Teacher
Mary Krasovec - Upper School Science Teacher
Susan Peck - Middle School Mathematics Department Chair & Teacher
Heather Russell - Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Will McCurdy Memorial Award
Established in 2015 in memory of Will McCurdy ’05. Given in recognition of outstanding advising in the Upper School. 
Clemmie Everett - Upper School Humanities Department Chair & Teacher
Seb Mineo - Upper School Mathematics Teacher

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

Lower School Advising Award
Established in 2022 to recognize a Lower School teacher who went above and beyond in support of students. 
Lyvia Sage - Lower School & Middle School French Teacher 

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.
Charles Ogbonna - Physical Education Teacher & 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.
Ariana Wimpy - Senior Accountant

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
Monique Caterina, Lower School Kindergarten Teacher (Second Year)

RCDS PA Chair
Baptiste Bataille, Upper School French Teacher (Final Year)

English Department Chair
Erin McDonald, Middle School Language Arts Teacher (Second Year)

Class of 2006 Chair 
Kerry Linderoth, Director of Sustainability (Second Year)

Wachenheim Family Chair 
Clemmie Everett, Upper School Humanities Department Chair, Grade 9 Dean (Second Year)
Kyle Mitschele, Middle School Social Studies Department Chair (Second Year)

Lower School Chair 
Joanne Aventuro, Lower School Grade 3 Teacher (Final Year)

Middle School Chair
Heather Russell, Middle School Science Teacher (First Year) 
Ryan Horton, Middle School Language Arts Teacher (Second Year)

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.

Baptiste Bataille - Upper School French Teacher
Sandy Castagna - Lower School Grade 1 Teacher
Giovanni D'Onza - Assistant Athletic Trainer
Jen Devito - Upper School Librarian
Morgan Fuerst - Manager of Admissions and Enrollment Services
Genevieve Gaubron - Accounting Manager
Ted Heintz - Upper School Grade 10 Dean and English Teacher
Ryan Horton - Middle School Language Arts Teacher 
Heather Lentini - Lower School Grade 1 Teacher
Kerry Linderoth - Director of Sustainability, Upper & Middle School Science Teacher
Marcia Mignon - Middle School Science Teacher
Caryn Olson - Lower School Grade 4 Teacer
Elvira Rebate - Lower School Spanish Teacher
Lizanne Rosenzweig - Middle School Spanish Teacher
Gail Sestito - Middle School Grades 7 & 8 Dean & Science Teacher