Faculty & Staff Directory

Chrissy Dyball has been a valued member of the Rumsey Hall community since 2010. She holds a B.S. in Recreation Management from Springfield College and is a passionate advocate for the well-being of both mind and body. Chrissy leads the Lower School Physical Education and Upper School Health programs, where she inspires students to embrace fitness and develop lifelong healthy habits. She particularly enjoys teaching Lower School PE, where she fosters a love for sports and physical activity, helping young students build confidence and master new skills.
A dedicated and experienced coach, Chrissy works with athletes in Varsity Cross Country, serves as a Recreational Ski Coach, and leads the Varsity B Lacrosse team.  
Chrissy lives on campus with her husband, Mr. Dyball—Rumsey’s Math Department Chair and Assistant Dean of Students—and their three sons, all proud Blue Dogs. In their free time, the Dyball family loves spending time by the water, embracing the outdoors whenever possible.

Jo-Ellen, BSN, RN, began her nursing career at St Mary’s Hospital on the Medical-Surgical / Telemetry floor. In 2017, Jo-Ellen began working at the Rumsey Hall Health Center and for the past eight years she has been employed as a full-time school nurse at Torrington Public Schools. Jo-Ellen resides in Roxbury with her husband, Michael. She enjoys spending time with their two grown children and granddaughter. Jo-Ellen also participates in the leadership team at her church. In her free time, Jo-Ellen enjoys walking for exercise, tending to her houseplants, and is often seen wearing sparkly pink cowboy boots while attending Rumsey events.

Rebecca Eannacony joined Rumsey in 2020, bringing her passion for languages to young learners. She holds an M.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport and a B.A. in Communications and Media with a Minor in Spanish from SUNY New Paltz. She enjoys using play, songs, and interactions to teach Spanish, creating a sense of excitement when students grasp a new language and culture. After school Ms. Eannacony can be found on the fields and courts coaching students in a variety of sports.
Outside of teaching, Rebecca is a proud mother of four, a weekend bartender, and a lover of culinary arts, home improvement, and nature. A New York native, she’s now New England obsessed—especially with autumn!

Kristin Eaton joined the Rumsey Hall School community in 2021 and serves as the Kindergarten Head Teacher. She brings more than a decade of head teaching experience in early childhood education prior to arriving at Rumsey. Since joining the School, she has further broadened her perspective through roles as an Assistant Teacher in Kindergarten/Pre-Primes and Pre-K, as well as serving as the Pre-Primes Head Teacher. Ms. Eaton holds an M.S. in Elementary Reading and Language from The University of Saint Joseph and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Goucher College.

 
She has always been passionate about teaching young children, and after gaining experience in various educational settings, she found her “teaching home” at Rumsey. She takes immense joy in seeing the world through the eyes of her five-year-old students, guiding them as they build a strong academic and social-emotional foundation.

She lives in the center of Litchfield and spends summers at her family’s home in Kennebunk, Maine, where she runs the literacy program at a summer camp by the beach. She is active in her church, an avid reader, a lover of ice cream, and an occasional needlepointer.  

Désiré Essis brings over 20 years of international and domestic teaching experience in mathematics and science. He holds an M.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), along with a Certificate in School Management & Leadership from the Harvard School of Education and a College Counselor Certificate from Columbia University. Most recently, Désiré served as University Counselor and AP Coordinator at the American School of Douala, Cameroon, and previously spent eight years as Head of the Secondary School and Math/Science teacher at the American International School of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, with additional leadership and teaching roles in Georgia (Eastern Europe), Qatar, and China.

Brooke Faison joined the Rumsey faculty in 2024 as the Head Librarian of the Dickie Family Library. She delights in cultivating a love of learning in young people, and is committed to supporting the school’s intellectual vitality through a robust library collection and meaningful programming. She brings more than a decade of experience in library media and technology education.  Prior to Rumsey, Brooke served in Region 12 as a Library Clerk for the district’s three elementary schools, a PreK–12 Technology Specialist, and a provider of curriculum-aligned media training for faculty and staff. She earned her B.A. from Connecticut College, her M.A. from the School for International Training, and completed teacher training through the RELAY Graduate School.

Nicole Fancher, RN, joined the Rumsey Health Center team in 2024. She began her nursing career as an LPN in 2011 and became a Registered Nurse after earning her degree from Western Connecticut State University in 2018. Since 2024, Nicole’s experience includes hospital care, outpatient surgery, and pediatric home health. Nicole resides in Woodbury with her husband and two young sons. In her free time, she enjoys camping, reading, crocheting, and tending to her seven mini-chickens.

Jacob Ferry joined Rumsey Hall School in 2020 and is an integral part of the Maintenance Team. With a passion for hands-on work, Jacob takes pride in enhancing the beauty of the campus and ensuring the upkeep of its facilities. His dedication to maintaining both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the school’s buildings makes him a valuable asset to the community. Outside of his work at Rumsey, Jacob enjoys an active lifestyle, often found mountain biking, camping, through-hiking, or working out.

Julie Fredlund has lived in Washington, CT all of her life. After graduating from North Park University in 1980, she returned to her hometown and has been connected to Rumsey ever since. Involved in Washington’s Village Improvement Society, and her church, Julie’s role at Rumsey includes supporting the Head of School, Board of Trustees, Secondary School Counseling, the Athletic Department, and is the School’s Registrar. Julie and her husband Joe have two daughters, who live with their families in Atlanta, GA.

Jeff Gaudet comes to Rumsey from Vermont Academy where he was the Director of Technology and served as Varsity Lacrosse Coach and and prior to that was the Director of Technology at the Montessori School of Denver.  He holds a B.S. from Franklin Pierce University. Mr. Gaudet is a dorm parent in South Dorm.  

Brooke Giese is an accomplished and dedicated educator with over two decades of experience at Rumsey Hall School.
Throughout her tenure, she has served in multiple capacities, including Associate Head of School, Interim Head of School, Director of Studies, teacher, coach, and dorm parent. Each of these positions has allowed her to enrich the lives of countless students and colleagues, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.
Brooke grew up outside of Philadelphia where she attended the Shipley School. From an early age, she felt a calling to work with young people, a passion that only grew stronger over time.
During her college years, Brooke worked as a camp counselor and trip leader at Waukeela Camp. These experiences helped her develop a profound love for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for the values of community life.
Brooke holds an Ed.M. in Teaching and Learning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in French and Art History from Colby College.
Her academic journey included a transformative junior year abroad in Paris, France, where she immersed herself in the study of French language, art, and culture. This international experience broadened her horizons and enriched her understanding of global education.
In recognition of her commitment to education and international collaboration, Brooke was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Memorial Fellowship. This fellowship enabled her to engage in an international educational exchange program in Japan, further enhancing her global perspective and educational philosophy.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brooke is a devoted mother and a passionate enthusiast of various interests. She loves hiking, immersing herself in survival stories, reading memoirs, and enjoying the arts, including Broadway shows and museums. Brooke and her husband, Gary, live on campus with their two children, Rumsey graduate, Carter ‘23, and Anna ‘27, and their golden retriever, Rocco.