Faculty & Staff Directory

Claire came to Rumsey in 1995 and has had various roles over the years.  She taught Second Form, Learning Skills, tutored, and worked with students as a health coach to help them adopt healthier habits. She has a BS in Psychology and K-12 teaching certification from Hobart and William Smith College, a master’s degree in Special Education from Western Connecticut State University, and is a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach.

Outside of Rumsey, you’ll find Claire spending time with her family, taking long walks in the woods, reading or working with coaching clients.

Clayton Ketchum has been a cornerstone of the Rumsey Hall community since the fall of 1994. Starting as an intern, Clayton transitioned to a full-time faculty member in 1995 and served as Dean of Students from 2000 to 2020. He now holds the role of Director of Secondary School Counseling.
Clayton earned his B.A. in English from St. Lawrence University and an M.A. in Liberal Studies with a focus on Humanities from Wesleyan University. His extensive educational background and long-standing commitment to Rumsey enrich his contributions to the school.
The beauty of teaching the grade 6-9 age group is that an educator can genuinely have an impact on the people they become. This opportunity to shape young minds and influence their growth is what Clayton finds most rewarding about his work at Rumsey.
Outside of Rumsey, Clayton enjoys spending time with his family, biking, hiking, golfing, and reading. He is also an avid sports fan, always cheering on his beloved Pittsburgh teams.

Mr. Kinsella has been a dedicated member of the History Department at Rumsey Hall School since 2007. He earned his M.A. in American Studies from Trinity College and a B.S. in Philosophy from the University of Idaho. Mr. Kinsella finds great fulfillment in teaching, particularly when students make meaningful connections between historical events and contemporary issues. Witnessing their intellectual growth over the course of a year or two is one of the most rewarding aspects of his role.
Mr. Kinsella enjoys the multifaceted nature of his work, which includes teaching, coaching, and participating in residential life. He values the unique relationships that form when students see faculty members actively engaged in various aspects of their school experience.
Outside of school, Mr. Kinsella is happiest when he’s outdoors, whether he’s playing sports, cycling, golfing, fishing, or spending time with his family. He also enjoys working on a “fixer-upper” in Maine during his time away from campus.

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.

Jennifer L. Kolpak is an accomplished educator and administrator who is strongly committed to fostering student growth and community at Rumsey Hall School. She holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Keene State College. Jennifer is certified as a Professional Educator in Connecticut, covering Pre-K through Grade 12.
Since joining Rumsey Hall in 2008, Jennifer has held various roles. She currently serves as the Director of Enrollment Management, recruiting and supporting students and families throughout enrollment. In addition to her admission and retention, Jennifer is a student advisor, dorm parent, and member of the Administrator Committee and weekend duty. 
Before Admissions, Jennifer was a lower school classroom teacher for over 15 years and director of Rumsey Summer Camp. She is proud of her three children, who are Rumsey Alumni. When not on campus, she enjoys long power walks and being with her family at their beach home. 

Heather Leonard has been the Academic Administrative Professional since 2015 and was the School Store Manager from 2007-2015. Mrs. Leonard enjoys supporting the members of the Rumsey Community and helping to make their days brighter, and she takes pride in doing her best.
She is the proud parent of two Rumsey alums, Owen ’13 and Mari ’18. She enjoys yoga, E-Bike riding, and spending time with her family.

Julie Lombardi brings experience and passion to her role at Rumsey Hall. She is involved with both the Upper and Lower School communities, serving as the 2nd Form Assistant Teacher, a dedicated dorm parent, and an assistant coach in the junior soccer and basketball programs. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of New Hampshire.

As the proud parent of three Rumsey alumni—River ’16, Emily ’18, and Skylar ’21—Mrs. Lombardi is deeply connected to the school and enthusiastically shares her love for the Rumsey experience with each new generation of students.

Having grown up on a boarding school campus herself, Mrs. Lombardi has been involved with boarding school communities for much of her life and career. She brings a holistic approach to teaching, understanding the importance of nurturing students’ academic abilities and emotional and mental well-being. 

Mrs. Lombardi currently resides on the Forman School campus, where her husband, Craig, has worked for over 25 years.

Gary Lord joined Rumsey Hall in 2008 as the School’s Facilities Director, following a 29-year career as Superintendent for United Water, a privately owned water utility operating systems in New Milford, Newtown, and Woodbury, Connecticut. His work required licensing in water treatment and distribution, and he continues to hold his plumbing license.
 
In 2018, Gary transitioned into the role of Project Manager, overseeing internal projects across campus and contributing his deep technical knowledge to the School’s ongoing improvements. He also teaches woodshop classes, a highlight of his work at Rumsey, where he enjoys helping students bring their ideas to life—guiding them as they transform pieces of wood into something new, useful, and meaningful.
 
Gary and his wife, Ann, live in Washington, Connecticut, not far from campus. Outside of Rumsey, he enjoys supporting others—whether spiritually, through home projects that bring joy, or simply by offering a listening ear. He also finds joy in music.

Karin Maddox has been an inspiring member of the Rumsey Hall faculty since 2018. She currently serves as a III Form Classroom Teacher, where her dedication to student growth and leadership is evident.
Karin holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and a Master’s Degree from Bank Street College. Her strong academic background and commitment to education greatly enrich her teaching approach.
Karin enjoys the collaborative spirit that exists within the Lower School at Rumsey. Teachers work together, support each other, and mirror the students’ enthusiasm. Working with the III Formers allows her to prepare the class to be leaders, empowering students to stand up for what they believe in and to grow as individuals and as a team through involvement with the Student Council.
When she is not teaching, Karin enjoys spending time with her family. Together, they go on hikes, cook, and read and discuss books, creating cherished memories and fostering a love for lifelong learning.

Beth Martino joined Rumsey Hall in 2013 as the Learning Skills Department Chair, where she has made significant contributions to literacy education. As a Trainer of Teachers, she provided state literacy modules on topics such as Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Reading Comprehension, Writing, and standardized test strategies. Ms. Martino was pivotal in securing a Project Lucid Grant to enhance multicultural affiliation through technology-based reading and on-site visitations, fostering a deeper appreciation for diversity among students.
 
Ms. Martino holds an M.S. in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts and a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education, both from Central Connecticut State University. 
 
Before joining Rumsey Hall, Beth was a classroom teacher and reading specialist who was instrumental in creating a Literacy Academy. She trained under Margie Gillis – Literacy How, gaining valuable expertise in literacy instruction. Drawn to Rumsey Hall for its academic excellence and commitment to teaching the whole child, Beth has thrived in her role, helping students develop strong literacy skills.
 
Beth lives in Thomaston, CT. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family on Bantam Lake and cheering for her favorite sports teams: the New York Yankees, the UConn Women’s Basketball team, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Sara McChesney joined Rumsey Hall School in 2024 as an Upper School World Language Teacher specializing in Spanish. She earned an MEd in Early Childhood Curriculum and Administration from UMass Amherst and a BA in Spanish and Early Childhood Education from UMass Amherst. Sara resides on campus with her daughter in Hilltop Dorm, actively coaches three sports, and bakes homemade treats every weekend for her students in Hilltop.
At Rumsey Hall, Sara appreciates the intimate student-to-teacher ratio, which allows her to develop deep connections with each student. This personal approach fosters highly effective instruction and student achievement.
 
Sara enjoys spending time with her daughter, friends, and family, exploring various locations, and and often visiting her extended family in favorite spots such as Colorado Springs, Virginia Beach, and UMass Amherst.