Faculty & Staff Directory

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.  

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.

Marissa Rosa is a staff Nurse in the Health Center with 14 years of nursing experience. She resides in Watertown with her husband, 4 young children and their family dog. Marissa’s professional experience is rooted primarily in pediatric private practice, but has also dedicated years to staying home, raising her children. Outside of work, she enjoys running, playing sports of any kind, and spending time with her family.

Aline Rossiter is the Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Financial Aid. She brings a wealth of experience from a life-long career in strategic enrollment management for both colleges and independent schools. She is passionate about helping families and students find the right school that aligns with their goals, ensuring students thrive on their educational journeys. Ms. Rossiter is a strong advocate for the value of independent school education and is dedicated to making it accessible through both guidance and financial support. She takes pride in maintaining lasting relationships with many of her former students.
When not on campus, she enjoys spending time with her grandsons, hosting dinners for family and friends, upcycling furniture, reading, and gardening. She is a proud parent of a Rumsey Graduate, Class of ’18.

Morgan Rubin leads Upper School Music and Performing Arts. She holds a dual degree in Music (Vocal Performance) and Psychology from Emory University and earned her Master’s in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University. Morgan has directed choirs and led performing arts programs in both middle and upper schools Stoneleigh-Burnham School and Brunswick Academy and brings deep experience and energy to Rumsey’s arts program.

Alison Ryder, BSN, RN, is a University of Oklahoma graduate with over 15 years of experience, ranging from ICU and dermatology to various nursing specialties. Alison joined the Rumsey Health Center team in 2024; she finds great fulfillment in school nursing, where her love for children and commitment to their well-being inspire the care she provides each day. She and her husband live in Washington with their three children and two cherished ragdoll cats. She loves being part of the local community that enriches both her family and her work. In her free time, Alison enjoys cheering on her kids in their sports, as well as reading, hiking, and traveling.

Cassie Rydingsword began her journey at Rumsey Hall in 2019 as the Upper School Art Teacher. She holds a B.A. in Art Education from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.S. in Special Education from Fairfield University.
At Rumsey, Ms. Rydingsword values the opportunity to engage students at all levels, from those with a casual interest in art to those passionate about pursuing it further. She thrives in Rumsey’s flexible and dynamic environment, where students are encouraged to find inspiration and gain the confidence to act on it. Seeing her students surprise themselves with talents they didn’t know they had is one of the most rewarding aspects of her teaching.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Rydingsword is actively involved in the school community, coaching each season and collaborating with students to create, build, and install scenery for Upper School plays.
Outside of school, she enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Litchfield Hills, frequenting local nature preserves, and discovering new restaurants. Most of all, she loves watching her two children, Evan and Leah, compete in high school athletics.