New Faculty and Staff Join RCDS

This fall, The Rumson Country Day School welcomed new additions to our impressive faculty and staff. Please take a moment to learn a little bit about the newest members of the RCDS community, and be sure to give them a warm Gator welcome when you see them at school!

Ahmed-Ali Awadallah - A graduate of Monmouth University (B.S.) and Green Mountain College (M.S.), Ahmed is teaching Upper School science. Ahmed has considerable experience teaching a variety of science courses, including Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, in schools in East Brunswick and Trenton. Ahmed’s favorite part of being in the classroom is watching the gears turn in his students’ minds as they problem solve and approach concepts with new perspectives.

Mia Choate - Current RCDS parent Mia Choate has joined Tracey Wetmore in the advancement office. Mia has extensive experience both in the private sector and as a volunteer in the world of education and is a graduate of St. Lawrence University. Mia is a self-described bookstore junkie and loves a good non-fiction read. Her favorite RCDS pillar is Kind and she feels inspired by the tight-knit community at RCDS.  

Donna Francis - Donna is teaching first grade at RCDS and has joined us after spending eight years at Creative Learning Center; she has also taught in the Fair Haven School District. She is a graduate of Kutztown University. Donna was inspired to become an educator by her 2nd-grade teacher who coincidentally happens to be Mr. Scott’s (RCDS History Teacher) mother.
 

Amanda Kennedy - A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Amanda is assisting Mrs. Coleman in her nursery class, bringing a variety of experiences both within and outside of education. Amanda loves that every day at school is different, which keeps learning fun and exciting.
 

Lauren Niro - Lauren is assisting Mrs. Murphy-Bell's nursery class. She is a graduate of Monmouth University and has been teaching in similar roles in schools in Red Bank. Lauren is inspired by her students’ energy in the classroom and enjoys watching their excitement when they learn something new.
 

Jane Olving - Jane is teaching Upper School math after spending the past seven years at St. Clare School in Staten Island; prior to her time there, she taught high school math for eight years at Mater Dei Prep. Jane is a graduate of Georgian Court University and holds Master's degrees from Georgian Court and Marygrove College. Jane became an educator due to her love of children and the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

Karin Ostrom - Karin brings a wealth of experience to RCDS, having taught for many years as a lead elementary teacher in Upstate New York and was most recently a long-term leave replacement teacher in Middletown after leaving the classroom for a short time. Karin is a graduate of Fairfield University and holds Master's degrees in education and counseling from Fordham University and Long Island University, respectively.

Martha O'Neill - After filling in for a parental leave last year, Martha has rejoined RCDS on a full-time basis to teach Upper School English. A graduate of Juniata College, this is Martha's second tenure at RCDS; she taught here from 1999-2011 before moving to Maryland and teaching at The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore. Inspired by her most memorable teachers, Mrs. O’Neill continues to channel them in her teaching today.

Michael Wirsching - Michael is teaching Upper School math. He has experience teaching in schools in Florida and, most recently, at a charter school in Brooklyn, where he spent the last seven years. Michael is a graduate of the University of Florida and has a Master's degree from Relay Graduate School of Education. Michael enjoys watching his students create ownership in the classroom and seeing them grow.