Faculty & Staff Directory

Christian Papadellis, a boarding school graduate, joined the Rumsey faculty in 2023 following a fellowship at Groton School. He teaches English, serves as a dorm parent, and coaches football, fitness, and crew. Before his education career, Christian worked in publishing and journalism in Boston and Manhattan. He holds a B.A. in English from Colby College and an M.A. in English Literature and American Literature from Boston University

When not teaching or coaching, Christian can be found in the gym training for an upcoming triathlon or at the piano attempting to master a tune from the Great American Songbook. An avid reader, writer, and competitive athlete, Christian’s favorite part of teaching is sharing his passion for storytelling and commitment to fitness with the next generation.

Ben Pastor is a veteran independent school advancement officer, who in recent years has run the Advancement programs at Branson School, in Ross, CA, as well as at The Community School of Naples, in FL.
Ben began his advancement career at the Taft School, in Watertown, CT from where he is also an alumnus. He served on the Major Gifts team, was an Assistant Director of Development, and he and his wife Ledlie (Rumsey Class of 1992) ran multiple dorms on campus.
After Taft, Ben graduated from Hamilton College, in Clinton, NY. Ben and his family are deeply connected to Rumsey, with his daughters being third-generation Rumsey students.

Nicole Pease, MS, ATC, LAT, serves as Rumsey Hall’s Athletic Trainer and teaches both Biology and Life Science. She holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Movement Science with a concentration in Athletic Training from Westfield State College. Nicole is a certified athletic trainer with credentials from the National Athletic Training Association Board of Certification (NATABOC). Additionally, she is certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED, and has volunteered as medical staff for the Boston Marathon.

Outside of her professional expertise, Nicole is a passionate runner, and enjoys hiking and cooking. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), combining her love of fitness with a holistic approach to wellness. She lives on campus with her husband and two daughters.

Philip Perreault has been a dedicated member of the Rumsey Hall School community since 2002 and currently serves as the Dean of Students while teaching in the Math Department. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire. Over the years, Philip has worn many hats at Rumsey, including Lower School PE Teacher, Athletic Trainer, Math Department Chair, and Assistant Dean of Students.

What fuels his passion for education is not just the opportunity to guide young people in building confidence and independence, but also his deep connection with the middle school age group. He believes there’s something truly magical about working with adolescents, and that their energy and growth keep him inspired and grounded in his work at Rumsey.

Mr. Perreault can be found coaching the Varsity Baseball Team and proudly cheering on the Boston Red Sox.   Outside of school time, he is dedicated to his three children and their enjoyment of camping, hiking, and sports.

Danelle Placella joined Rumsey Hall School’s leadership team as Chief Finance and Operations Officer in July 2023, bringing twenty years of experience in educational finance and operations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, she previously served as Assistant Superintendent for Business in a Westchester County school district. Ms. Placella maintains active memberships in several professional organizations, including the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Business Association of Housatonic Schools (BAHS), and National Business Officers Association (NBOA). She resides in New Milford with her husband, James, and two children, Jake ’29 and Josh ’27, who both attend Rumsey Hall School. 

Karl Platt joined Rumsey Hall in 2021 and is a dedicated member of the Maintenance Team. A lifelong Connecticut resident, he currently lives in Southbury. Karl attended a technical high school in Ansonia, where he studied automotive technology, and began his career as an automotive technician. In his twenties, he spent several years as a live-in aide for his grandfather, an experience that shaped his strong sense of responsibility and care. Before joining Rumsey, he worked in a variety of technical and hands-on roles, including local landscaping and maintenance at a facility in Watertown. Outside of work, Karl enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, exploring local state parks on hikes, being around animals, and playing video games with friends.

Stephanie Proteau ‘15 attended Canterbury School and earned a B.S. in Marketing with a Minor in Management from Franklin Pierce University where she played Division I Women’s Ice Hockey. Returning to Rumsey in 2023 she is an Advancement Associate and a Girls’ Hockey Coach.  A scholar athlete and model of leadership  herself, she enjoys the opportunity to work with current Rumsey students who have an eagerness to challenge themselves in the classroom, on the ice and in community as leaders.  

Jay Przygocki began his remarkable journey at Rumsey Hall School in the fall of 1976. Over his nearly five-decade tenure, he has worn many hats as a teacher, coach, and dorm parent before stepping into the role of Athletic Director in 1983. With over 41 years dedicated to shaping Rumsey Hall’s athletic program, Mr. Przygocki has become a cornerstone of the school’s community.
Mr. Przygocki’s commitment to fostering sportsmanship and developing young athletes has been pivotal in the success of Rumsey’s athletic initiatives. His  passion for education and athletics is matched only by his devotion to the Rumsey Hall community.
He earned is M.A. in Education from Western Connecticut State University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State College, where he was an accomplished baseball player.
Jay has three children Ania’s ’00, Tucker ’03, and Sawyer and four grandchildren. He and his wife Suzanne enjoy living at Old Foothills, a place many will remember fondly as their dorm off campus years ago.
Jay sums up his dedication with a heartfelt sentiment: “Rumsey has been my life and I truly love what I do to help students and athletes grow up to be outstanding members of the Rumsey Family.”

Kajsa Ray-Gertz has been a dedicated staff nurse at Rumsey’s Health Center since 2021. A Massachusetts native, she moved to Connecticut in 2017 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Sacred Heart University. Known for her compassionate approach and calm presence, she strives to make every young patient feel safe, heard, and cared for.
In her free time, Kajsa enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their dog, Arthur.

Since 2016, Rachel Ribetti has been a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Rumsey Hall Business Office. She manages travel arrangements for our students with care and efficiency, and she supports daily operations through her work in Accounts Payable. Rachel earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University.
Outside of Rumsey, Rachel is an avid traveler with a love for discovering new places. Her favorite journeys, however, are those she takes with her two college-aged daughters, Ashleigh ‘18 and Lauren, as she continues to inspire them to embrace life’s many adventures.

Tiffany Romaniello joined Rumsey Hall in 2017 and serves as the Lower School Skills Specialist. She brings a deep passion for fostering early literacy. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood with a concentration in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Vermont, an M.S. in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University, and a Master’s in Literacy from the University of New England. Tiffany finds immense joy in helping children develop a love for reading, from learning letters and sounds to reading their first books.
Outside of Rumsey, Tiffany stays busy with her children’s sports activities—Brooklynn ’26 and Piper ’27. The Romaniello family loves traveling in their camper, exploring historic places, and creating lasting memories together.

Eva Roode is a highly versatile Registered Nurse with a comprehensive skill set spanning Wound care, Addiction Nursing, Acute Care, Geriatric, and Pediatric Nursing. She further enhances her patient care approach with holistic practices, including Nutrition and Reiki.
Originally hailing from the Midwest, Eva was born in Kansas and grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where she developed an early love for outdoor activities like sailing and skiing. Her personal passions extend to gardening and landscape design, with a particular affection for using natural “rocks” in her work. She finds herself perpetually torn between the elegant rose and the lush peony as her favorite flower and counts Halloween as her favorite holiday.
Eva currently resides with her beloved family: her husband, Billy; their two children, Savannah Nicole and William Charles III; their Labrador retrievers, Daisy and Jager; and their tuxedo cat, Etho.