Faculty & Staff Directory

Dorothy Albert, RN, BSN joined the Rumsey Hall Health Center team as a staff nurse in the Fall of 2023 with experience in Adolescent Mental Health, Emergency Medicine and Geriatrics. Her passion as a nurse aligns with Rumsey Hall’s philosophy of caring for the whole student – body, mind and spirit as she loves to promote emotional wellbeing and positivity. She believes laughter is truly the best medicine and is an advocate to always be kind and respectful to others. Dorothy is extremely proud of both of her sons, the oldest taking after his father’s footsteps in their family businesses and the youngest recently promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Dorothy also has a background in Hospitality Management and loves nutrition, gardening, cooking and taking care of her family and their farm in Woodbury. She feels privileged to be part of this community who encourages lifelong learning to all ages.

Christian Anderson is honored to serve as the Associate Director of Advancement, where he fosters connections and builds relationships with alumni and parents. Students know him as a dedicated teacher, coach, and advisor. Christian began his career at Rumsey in 2017 as an Upper School History Teacher before becoming Assistant Director of Residential Life.

Christian holds a B.A. in History from the University of Connecticut, an M.Ed with a concentration in School Leadership, and is an M.B.A. candidate at the University of Connecticut. He enjoys working with students daily and is committed to helping the school achieve its fundraising goals, ensuring the long-term future of Rumsey’s legacy in educating young people to excel in the world.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Christian is an active volunteer with the Washington Fire Department and serves as a Director on the Washington Scholarship Fund Board and The UConn Club. Christian lives on campus with his wife Taylor and son Theo.

Ananda joined Rumsey in 2023 as the Receptionist/Mailroom Attendant, becoming the first face our visitors see upon entering the Dorothy Rochon Anderson Memorial Building. She quickly became the “go-to” person for various questions from faculty, students, families, and friends.

Ananda holds a B.S. in Marketing and Advertising from Universidade do Sagrado Coração in São Paulo, Brazil. She is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. With experience as an au pair and a personal assistant, she brings a diverse skill set to her role at Rumsey. In her free time, Ananda enjoys spending time in NYC, visiting art exhibits, traveling, and attending concerts. She is also passionate about photography, which she pursues as a hobby.

Shelly Benson, the Accounting Manager, joined Rumsey Hall School in 2015 and has been an integral member of the Business Office team. She earned her B.S. in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University in 1989. In her role, Shelly is responsible for managing the month-end close process and account reconciliations. She also plays a key role in the annual financial audit and contributes to the preparation of the School’s IRS Form 990.  
Shelly lives in Bristol, Connecticut, with her husband, John. They have two children, Andrew and Lauren. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and walking with her husband and their dog, Archie.

Willow Brenner is a Primes (2nd Grade) teacher at Rumsey who is enthusiastic about inspiring young minds and guiding her students toward academic and personal growth. With a Connecticut certification to teach Pre-K through eighth grade, she brings experience and a global perspective to her classroom. Her teaching career has spanned various grade levels and diverse locations, including kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade in public and international schools across the Eastern United States, Guam, and Hanoi, Vietnam. Willow loves to spend time with her family, walk her dogs, and travel whenever possible.

Robert Brenner has been a part of Rumsey Hall School since 2000, serving as Director of Lower School since 2007. With a teaching background that spans the United Nations International School of Hanoi, Finegayan Elementary School in Guam, Deerfield Valley Elementary School in Vermont, and Rumsey Hall School, he brings diverse expertise to his role. Mr. Brenner holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia University, a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Connecticut State University, a School Management and Leadership Certificate from Harvard University, and a Certificate in Teaching and Leading with AI from University of Pennsylvania. His commitment to the Rumsey community is deeply personal. His wife Willow also teaches at Rumsey, and their three children were raised on campus and graduated from Rumsey. Outside work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with his family.

John Brown teaches in the Upper School History Department. A graduate of Western Connecticut State University, John previously worked at Virginia Episcopal School, where he taught, coached, and lived in a dorm. He also serves as Head Football Coach while living on campus with his family.

Jordan Brown was raised in Bloomfield, Connecticut, after navigating the Bloomfield School System for a short while, he graduated from Northwest Catholic in 2000. After which Jordan attended CCSU majoring in Psychology and Sociology, followed by an 18 year career with the state of Connecticut working in Adolescent Psych and Geriatric Psych. Jordan made the switch to Nursing in 2024 graduating from HCC in Massachusetts. Outside of his professional life, Jordan enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, traveling, and playing video games.

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.

Christian Budd has been an esteemed member of the Rumsey Hall community since January 2014. He currently serves as an IInd Form Teacher, demonstrating his dedication to fostering student growth and independence. Before his current role, Christian contributed to Rumsey as an Assistant Teacher for K-Primes and an Upper School History Teacher.
Christian holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Villanova University and a Master of Elementary Education from Lesley University. Before joining Rumsey, he taught fourth and second grade at The Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.
As a dedicated educator, Christian takes great joy in nurturing the growth of IInd Form students towards independence. He is committed to meeting their creative and inquisitive nature through individualized instruction, providing an environment where each student’s unique needs are addressed and fostered. His classroom is a welcoming and supportive space, encouraging students to explore and thrive.
Outside of the classroom, Christian loves to travel to see family and friends all over the country and world. He also enjoys exploring the area around Rumsey, immersing himself in the community and its surroundings.

Richard “Rick” Butler has been a dedicated member of the Rumsey Hall community since 1997. He is the Director of Residential Life, VI Form Science Teacher, Varsity Boys’ Hockey Coach, and Dorm Head of Romford Dorm. Mr. Butler earned his B.S. from Western State College in Gunnison, CO, and his extensive experience and passion for education make him a pivotal figure at Rumsey Hall.
Mr. Butler enjoys working with students in and out of the classroom, helping them grow as learners, athletes, and community members. His wife, Liz, is the Science Department Chair, and their daughters are proud Rumsey graduates. The Butler family spends their summers in Mystic, CT, enjoying the ocean, sailing, boating, and kayaking.