Learning Skills

Masters, Central CT State University
B.S., Central Connecticut State University

B.S.  Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education
M.S.  Reading
45 additional post-graduate credits in Curriculum and Leadership
Taught in the Waterbury Public School System as Classroom Teacher and Reading Specialist

She became a Trainer of Teachers and provided state literacy modules on Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Explicit Small Group Instruction, Independent Literacy Practice, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Families as Partners, Vocabulary Fluency, and standardized test strategies.  She helped write the Project Lucid Grant, a joint project with the Cheshire School System to enhance multicultural affiliation through technology-based reading and on-site visitations. while helping improve students’ appreciation for diversity.  Beth was part of implementing The  Literacy Academy at Wendell Cross School in Waterbury, which was a school reform focusing on improving reading skills. She trained under Margie Gillis from Literacy How for five years.
Ms. Martino was drawn to Rumsey Hall school due to its impressive reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to teaching the whole child.
Tenth year as Learning Skills Department Chair at Rumsey
Ms.  Martino lives in Thomaston, CT.  When she is not teaching at Rumsey, she spends time with her family on Bantam Lake or cheering on her favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees, UConn Women’s Basketball team, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Cheryl Bucknam has been an Upper School Learning Skills Teacher at Rumsey Hall since 2016. Before joining Rumsey, she was an elementary school teacher with an M.A. in Education from the University of Bridgeport. Mrs. Bucknam loves working one-on-one with students, allowing her to focus on their needs. She takes pride in building solid relationships with her students, sharing their challenges, celebrating their successes, and providing emotional support. Helping these young learners navigate their school experience is truly a joy for her.

Mrs. Bucknam treasures time with her husband, children, and grandchildren outside of school. She enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, home projects, and watching sports in her free time.

Cat Cooper earned her B.A. in Art History while also studying Theater and Anthropology at the University of Chicago. She holds an MFA in Theater Directing from the California Institute of the Arts and an MA in English Literature from Middlebury College. After a stint in theater, she began her teaching career at George Jackson Academy in New York City. She taught middle school English at Horace Mann School and The School at Columbia University.

She regularly brought theater and art into the classroom as an English teacher. Cat loves the one-on-one connections she can make with students in Learning Skills at Rumsey, and she especially enjoys helping middle schoolers build confidence and discover their superpowers.

After school, you can find her jogging in the woods with her Golden Retriever, Maddie. On the weekends, she spends time with her family and bakes a lot of bread and granola.

Sarai Gutierrez earned a Master’s degree in English: Writing, Rhetoric, and Media Arts at Trinity College and graduated from the University of Saint Joseph with a degree in English and a Certification in Elementary Education. Her Master’s Thesis was a creative short story collection revolving around the theme of a “Sense of Place.”

After serving in various elementary positions, Ms. Gutierrez spent seven years teaching Kindergarten then joined Rumsey as a part-time Learning Skills Teacher.  She has always loved working in small groups and one-on-one with students, getting to know each student individually, and creating the freedom to plan lessons and curricula based on their needs. An avid reader, she shares her love of literature with her students. Besides reading, she loves playing with her kids and mini Goldendoodle, taking walks, and baking.

Ms. Mastrocola joined Rumsey Hall School in 2023 as a Language Skills Teacher. She holds a B.A. in English from Amherst College, an M.A. in English from Boston College, and a certification in Orton-Gillingham. Alex is passionate about working one-on-one with students, as it allows her to build solid connections and design personalized, engaging activities tailored to each student’s unique needs across various skills and subject areas.

Alex resides at Taft School with her husband, Mike, and their yellow lab, Tino. They enjoy watching sports, particularly hockey and baseball, in their free time.

Christina McKeon is a dedicated educator in the Learning Skills Program at Rumsey. She brings a wealth of experience from her diverse teaching background. A proud graduate of Friends Academy, Mrs. McKeon holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from National University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Mrs. McKeon has a rich classroom teaching history. She taught 6th-grade English at Spring View Middle School and East Woods School, as well as History and Creative Writing. At Chase Collegiate, she expanded her expertise by teaching English, public speaking, and Learning Strategies. In addition to her academic roles, she is the published author of the children’s book “You Are Not A Monkey.”

A former standout high school athlete, Mrs. McKeon channels her passion for sports into coaching girls’ lacrosse, where she continues to inspire and mentor young athletes.

Ms. Stukshis joined Rumsey Hall School as a Learning Skills Specialist after a classroom teaching career.  She earned M.S. and B.S. Degrees in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University. “I enjoy the opportunity to get to know and understand students fully.  Specifically, working one-on-one with students allows designing the curriculum according to the student’s needs. Guiding, encouraging, and empowering each student to find their strengths and achieve their goals, is an enriching experience.”  She also cherishes the opportunity to work in a close-knit, friendly environment with wonderfully talented and dedicated colleagues.

For Ms. Stukshis, finding Rumsey was purely accidental. She and her husband decided to look into the school for their six-year-old son David. He flourished and loved Rumsey. After that, they went to work and school together for several years!

Jessie Weinberg, MSEd, is a Learning Specialist in Rumsey Hall’s Learning Skills Program with over 25 years of experience in schools and private practice. Specializing in language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia and challenges with executive function, organization, and writing, Jessie is passionate about using research-based, multi-sensory, phonics-driven programs that integrate reading, spelling, and handwriting.

Before joining Rumsey, Jessie ran a private tutoring practice focused on literacy for lower and middle school students. She has consulted with schools and educators to align literacy curricula with current research. Previously, she spent 16 years at The Town School in Manhattan as a homeroom and reading specialist. Jessie holds a History and French Studies degree from Carleton College and an MSEd in Reading and Literacy from Bank Street College. She is certified in Reading by New York State and trained in several evidence-based programs, including Orton Gillingham and The Hochman Method.

Outside of work, Jessie enjoys tennis, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.