Faculty & Staff Directory

Jessica Thier is a Lower School Assistant since 2022 and holds a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education from Charter Oak State College. She believes teaching in the Pre-primes and Primes classrooms provides an opportunity to work with children at a time in which they are developing greater independence, understanding increasingly difficult concepts, and further expressing their individual personalities. Ms. Thier enjoys spending time with my family, as well as any opportunity she has to go to the beach.

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.

Alia McGinnis, RN, BSN, is a nurse in Rumsey Hall’s Health Center with 16 years of experience caring for children and families. She earned her nursing degree at Castleton State College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Vermont. Her background includes pediatric primary care, women’s health, and maternal-child home health. She also manages the Health Office at Washington Montessori School, where she has served as the full-time School Nurse and Health Coordinator since 2021. Alia lives on campus with her husband, Chad, and their daughter, Coco.

Dierdre McGuire has been a III FORM (5th grade) teacher since 2021. With 32 years of experience in elementary and special education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to teaching students from Kindergarten through eighth grade. She earned an M.S. from Western Connecticut State University in Education with a concentration in Reading and a B.S. from Salve Regina University with a double major in Elementary and Special Education. She holds a State of Connecticut Professional Certification in PreK through grade 3 and Grades 4 through 8.  
 
Certified in the Orton-Gillingham approach, Dierdre specializes in using multisensory techniques to support students in the classroom. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and milestones in literacy development. She enjoys creating lesson plans that are hands-on and cater to students’ individual needs. Whether working on foundational skills or advanced techniques, Dierdre is committed to guiding students toward academic excellence while building self-confidence. She aims to instill a lifelong love for learning and ensure her students reach their fullest potential.

Patrice Montana has dedicated 26 years to the Rumsey Hall Health Center and consistently demonstrates her versatility, compassion, and commitment. Patrice works as a team player in multiple roles on campus as the Health Center’s Assistant, Certified Nurse Assistant, Student Driver, and Dorm Parent. Patrice consistently goes above and beyond while willingly taking on extra responsibilities, always ensuring that Rumsey students feel safe, supported, and cared for. She resides on campus with her husband Mark, her grandson Cayden, and their four beloved miniature dogs.

Lucas Nelson, a graduate of Macalester College, is a faculty member in the Math Department. With a major in Statistics and a minor in Spanish, Lucas was a teaching assistant and captain of the club hockey team. A marathon runner and enthusiastic community member, Lucas coaches soccer and takes an active role on campus.

Gena Newman manages the School Store and is a Billing Office Assistant who joined Rumsey in 2015. She earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Bentley University. Before joining the Rumsey community, she worked as a software programmer at companies such as Ames Department Stores, Filene’s Basement, AutoZone International, and Diageo. She enjoys combining experience in a retail setting with a software background.
Ms. Newman enjoys spending time with her family, including two children who attended Rumsey from kindergarten through 9th grade. Together, they travel, hike, do puzzles, and play cards.

Mack O’Shea joined the Rumsey Hall teaching staff in 2023 as an Art Teacher and Hockey Coach. A Rumsey alum, Mack holds a B.S. in Sports Management with a Minor in Art. Returning to the school that instilled in him the values of effort and community, he is excited to now guide students through similar formative experiences. He takes pride in seeing Rumsey’s growth while maintaining its core pillars of Honesty, Kindness, and Respect, which continue to drive student success.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey and golf, getting to Cape Cod and going on the boat, and spending time with friends and family. O’Shea’s sister is also a Rumsey graduate from the Class of 2010.