School Leadership

Robert Brenner has been a part of Rumsey Hall School for 25 years, serving as Director of Lower School since 2007. With a teaching background that spans the United Nations International School of Hanoi, Finegayan Elementary School in Guam, Deerfield Valley Elementary School in Vermont, and Rumsey Hall School, he brings diverse expertise to his role.

Mr. Brenner holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia University, a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Connecticut State University, and a School Management and Leadership Certificate from Harvard University. His commitment to the Rumsey community is deeply personal.  His wife, Willow, teaches, and their three children were raised on campus and graduated from Rumsey. Outside work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with his family.

Richard ‘Rick” Butler has been a dedicated member of the Rumsey Hall community since 1997. He is the Director of Residential Life, VI Form Science Teacher, Varsity Boys’ Hockey Coach, and Hull House Dorm Head. Mr. Butler earned his B.S. from Western State College in Gunnison, CO, and his extensive experience and passion for education make him a pivotal figure at Rumsey Hall.

Mr. Butler enjoys working with students in and out of the classroom, helping them grow as learners, athletes, and community members. His wife, Liz, is the Science Department Chair, and their daughters are proud Rumsey graduates. The Butler family spends their summers in Mystic, CT, enjoying the ocean, sailing, boating, and kayaking.

Brooke Giese is an accomplished and dedicated educator with over two decades of experience at Rumsey Hall School.

Throughout her tenure, she has served in multiple capacities, including Associate Head of School, Interim Head of School, Director of Studies, teacher, coach, and dorm parent. Each of these positions has allowed her to enrich the lives of countless students and colleagues, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.

Clayton is a graduate of The Hill School, Pottstown, PA and St. Lawrence University where he majored in English Literature. He earned his Masters in Liberal Studies with a focus on Humanities at Wesleyan University.

Previous to being responsible for Secondary School counseling and placement, he was the Dean of Students for 20 of his 26 years at Rumsey Hall. Clayton lives on campus with his wife Claire, and both his children, son Tobias ‘14 and daughter Elyse ‘17,  are Rumsey Hall graduates.

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, Jenifer 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.

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.

Philip Perrault 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. Perrault 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 at the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District, where she managed a $114 million budget and initialized a $49.5 million capital improvement projects. 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). Danelle  makes her home in New Milford with her husband, James and two children.

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. Przgocki has become a cornerstone of the school’s community.

Mr. Przgocki’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.

His two children are proud Rumsey alumni Ania’s ’00 and Tucker ’03. Outside of school he enjoys spending time with his three 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.”

Peter Simpson brings more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and school leader to his role as Upper School Director at Rumsey Hall. He previously served as Director of the Upper School at the Buckley School in New York City and as Associate Director at Columbia University’s Klingenstein Center, where he supported independent school leaders nationwide.

Peter has led initiatives in curriculum design, faculty development, student life, and inclusion. He has taught a range of subjects—from math and English to humanities and music—at schools across the country.

He holds an M.A. in Private School Leadership from Columbia University and a B.A. in Sociology from Dartmouth College. A passionate musician, Peter performs with The Choral Society in NYC and is a proud alum of the Dartmouth Aires. He joins Rumsey with his wife, Alice, and their daughter, Grace ’36.

Rachel Szala is a seasoned communications and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Sociology from The Ohio State University.

Before joining Rumsey Hall’s Leadership Team as Director of Marketing & Communications, Rachel served as Associate Dean for Communications & External Relations at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and as Director of External Affairs at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, where she led institution-wide marketing and communications initiatives focused on brand visibility, digital storytelling, and attracting mission-aligned students. Earlier in her career, she worked on branding and communications at the Clinton Foundation and consulted for organizations including Eli Lilly, Iron Mountain, One Laptop Per Child, and the ALS Association.

Originally from rural Ohio, Rachel is a third-degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, a certified sommelier, and a novice but enthusiastic tennis player. She enjoys cooking and spending quality time at the lake with her husband and son (Raev ’36).