Faculty & Staff Directory

Gerri Gleason, BSN, RN serves as Director of Nursing at the Rumsey Health Center where she leads with dedication and compassion. For the past 16 years, Gerri has brought professional expertise in pediatric and emergent care. She cultivates a supportive environment that prioritizes student health, safety, and well-being. Known for her calm, supportive demeanor, strong leadership, and meticulous attention to detail, Gerri exemplifies a deep commitment to excellence in care ensuring that students receive the guidance and support needed to thrive. Residing in Kent, CT, Gerri enjoys spending time and traveling with husband John along with their four children: Jenna Nicole ‘14, John Andrew ‘17, Katie Anne ‘19, and Hanna Elizabeth ‘22.

Peter Green is a dedicated and experienced educator with a rich academic teaching and school administration background.  He holds a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, a Master of Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in International Relations and Spanish from the College of Wooster.At Rumsey, Peter has taught History to students in grades 7-9 since September 2021. He supervises a 6th-grade dormitory, coaches soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, and advises Upper School students. Peter lives on campus with his wife, Cat Cooper, their two children who attend Rumsey, and their dog, Maddie.

Emily Gribbin teaches VIth and VIIth Form English at Rumsey Hall. A graduate of The Taft School, Emily earned an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Secondary English Education and a B.A. in English with minors in Biological Sciences and Religion from the University of Connecticut. In addition to her teaching role, she coaches Football and lives on campus, fully embracing the vibrant Rumsey Hall community.
Emily is passionate about guiding students through their exploration of language and literature, believing that English provides a powerful lens for them to understand themselves and the world around them during these pivotal years.
Emily enjoys outdoor adventures outside the classroom such as paddleboarding, hiking, and exploring Connecticut’s scenic rivers and lakes. A dedicated sports enthusiast, she also loves watching collegiate and professional athletics. Emily has volunteered in Peru and Guyana, where she worked with low-income students, fostering her dedication to education and global outreach.

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 is trained in the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading programs and provides private tutoring to students from elementary through high school. 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. 

Amy Hannon has been a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at Rumsey Hall School since 2022, bringing her extensive 20-year early childhood education experience. She holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and is a certified Head Pre-K Teacher and approved Early Childhood Education Consultant with the State of Connecticut.She has primarily been teaching pre-k for the past 20+ years. She began her career working in education with Head Start and as a classroom teacher and home visitor for 3-5-year-olds and birth to 3-year-olds. Her teaching experience has been in Torrington, Farmington, and Southbury, CT. 
Mrs. Hannon finds fulfillment in nurturing the minds of 4-year-olds, fostering their joy and curiosity. She believes Pre-Kindergarten is an environment where children can play, explore, and create, laying the essential groundwork for their educational journey.
A graduate of Kent School, she enjoys living in Litchfield County, where she raised her three sons.
Outside of school, Mrs. Hannon enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, Ruby. She is passionate about gardening, exploring nature through walks in the woods, and practicing yoga.

Ellie Haveman is teaching Upper School Science. She holds a BS in Environmental Science and Land Rehabilitation from Montana State University and brings a spirit of adventure and experiential learning. From wildland firefighting in New Mexico to teaching with a focus on outdoor education in New Jersey, Ellie’s background enriches her approach to science education. She lives on campus and coaches soccer.

Laura Heath joined Rumsey Hall in 2020 and teaches 7th and 8th Grade English. She lives in Hull House with her husband, Eddie, and their dog, Chancey. A graduate of Connecticut College, Laura earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Education (Grades 7–12) and later completed her M.A. in Early Childhood Education at Lesley University. An avid lover of the outdoors, Laura enjoys hiking, nature photography, basketball, writing poetry, and fishing. Her appreciation for the natural world and passion for creative expression are often reflected in her classroom, where she encourages students to find their own voice through writing and literature.

Luke Hilliard studied Mathematical Economics and served as a Student Assistant for the Men’s Basketball team at Gettysburg College. He helped the team reach Centennial Conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons. Before joining Rumsey Hall, Luke worked at Millbrook School. He helped lead the Boys Varsity Basketball team to NEPSAC Finals in Class B for the first time in school history. Now at Rumsey Hall, Luke teaches math and, in addition to his residential responsibilities, leads the Boys Varsity Basketball team.

Julia Holton joined Rumsey Hall in 2024 as a Middle School Latin Teacher, Coach, and Dorm Parent. A graduate of The Rivers School, she earned her B.A. from Kenyon College in Classics, Art History, and Studio Art, and her MSc in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh. Ms. Holton is passionate about bringing the timeless stories and languages of the Classics to life for her students, while also addressing the discipline’s complex societal challenges, such as discrimination and misogyny. Her teaching is driven by a desire to give voice to ancient peoples and enrich the lives of her students today.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Holton is an avid reader, averaging 100 books a year, and enjoys creative writing, singing in choirs, and engaging in visual arts like drawing and painting, while still finding time to work on a manuscript of her own.  She stays active through sports, including tennis and softball.

Kirby Johnson is a 1st Form teacher and joined Rumsey in 2016 as and teaching assistant in Kindergarten and Pre-Primes.  She enjoys working at Rumsey for its strong sense of community, where everyone feels connected and valued and believers the unwavering support from teachers and peers fosters a collaborative environment that makes every day rewarding and fulfilling. Mrs. Johnson holds a B.A. in English with a certification in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University and Master of Library Science from University of Central Missouri.

She enjoys being with family and friends and exploring new culinary experiences and relaxes on her boat at  Bantam Lake with her dogs or  at home with a good book.

Libby Kappler joined Rumsey Hall in 2017 as a mathematics teacher, coach, and dorm parent. A graduate of The Taft School, she holds a B.A. from Trinity College and an M.Ed. from Lesley University. Mrs. Kappler teaches mathematics through a series of connected themes, guiding students to build conceptual knowledge and transition into abstract thinking. Her lessons explore patterns, real-world applications, and engaging games, helping students understand the origins and purposes of mathematical concepts. She believes math is like a puzzle, where solving one piece reveals more connections to explore.
Mrs. Kappler loves fostering curiosity and excitement in all students, whether helping advanced learners tackle challenging material or guiding struggling students to their “aha” moments. Outside the classroom, she enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, biking, and swimming, as well as reading, gardening, and spending time with her family. Libby and her husband, Christopher, live on campus with their son Finley ’29 and Bernadoodle Zoey.

Katie Keane received an M.A. in Elementary Education from Manhattanville College and joined Rumsey Hall as a Teaching Assistant in 2023. She is dedicated to working with preschool-age children, allowing her to witness the incredible growth and development children experience during their early years. She enjoys family time and walking the beaches of Cape Cod.