Faculty

Bryan began his career in education as a founding faculty member at the School at Columbia University in 2003. Bryan joined the Ross community in 2006 when he was a part of the curriculum writing team and founding faculty at Ross Global Academy Public Charter School (RGA) in New York City. Bryan served as the Lead Middle School Teacher and taught grades five through eight Cultural History and English.

In 2015, after six years of full-time doctoral studies and university research and teaching, Bryan returned to Ross School as the Assistant Head of Lower School and as an academic advisor for the Ross Learning System curriculum documentation project. In 2019 Bryan shifted his focus to the research and application of mental health awareness education for students and school communities, serving as the Senior Coordinator for Training and Education at the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Chicago.

Bryan earned his B.A. in liberal arts from St. John's College, his M.A. in Communication and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his doctoral studies in the sociology of education at Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University.

Beth began her career in early childhood education as the founder and director of the Hampton Bays Children’s Center, a Reggio Emilia-inspired program that provided high-quality daycare for hundreds of families for over twenty years. She provided progressive professional development for her teaching staff and taught courses on curriculum development for the Child Care Council of Suffolk. She also taught at Sag Harbor Elementary School prior to joining the Ross Lower School's early childhood program.

Ms. Beth is an avid traveler and served as a chaperone for a Ross School trip to Ecuador, which included her son, Ryan, a 2011 Ross School graduate who now works as a researcher at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. Beth carries a strong interest in science, nature, and the arts and a classroom management philosophy based on parent/teacher/student collaboration and mindfulness practices. She is happy to have the opportunity to create another unique, creative program combining the Ross School Spiral Curriculum with Reggio Emilia-inspired concepts.

Jennifer received her BS with a double major in mathematics and adolescence education from Plattsburgh State University, NY. She completed her student teaching requirements in NYC and spent her first three years teaching math at Tito Puente Education Complex, in Manhattan. Jennifer earned her MA in education with a concentration in leadership of educational organizations from American International University and she has taken additional graduate coursework through Bank Street College and Stony Brook University. She joined Ross School in 2008 where in addition to teaching math in grades 5–12, she has served as a house parent, Field Academy leader, basketball coach, assistant supervisor for the SATs, advisor, and a mediation teacher.

Jennifer serves as faculty tech support on the online learning committee, was named 2020 Teacher of the Year, and is the Innovation and Robotics teacher for Ross Lower School. She is a mother to two beautiful boys, grew up in East Hampton, NY and now loves living in Sag Harbor.

Julie earned her B.A. in education from Edinburgh University in Scotland. She taught for four years in England and was a Key Stage leader for Grades 1–3. In 1996 Julie moved to the United States with her husband and taught Grades 1–4 for six years at Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton, NY. Julie obtained her M.A. in teaching reading from Long Island University, and as a lifelong learner, she has taken additional graduate courses in teaching reading, writing, and math. Julie joined the Ross School community in 2006 as the Reading Specialist for Grades K–4. In 2015, she returned to the classroom as a lead teacher, first in Kindergarten, then in Grade 2, and now in Grade 1.

For the past 20 years, in addition to teaching, Julie has been tutoring K–7 students in reading, writing, and math. Julie lives in Sag Harbor with her husband, Barry, and two children, Sophie and Charlie.

Laura Engel has been a member of the Ross School faculty since 2006, first with Ross Library before becoming the lead Early Childhood teacher. She was the recipient of the Ross Lower School Teacher of the Year Award in 2023 and is an EC Instruction Leader. Laura began her career in the performing arts at age 14 and has performed for the stage, film, and television in venues from New York City to Miami. Her love of the arts inspires her vision for life in her nursery classroom, striving to empower students to develop and express their creativity and sense of the world through painting, drawing, storytelling, dancing, and music-making.

Laura attended Bard College, New York University, and the New School for Social Research, receiving a B.A. in Liberal Arts. She is a certified Music Together teacher and has taught EC Music and Movement classes as well as EC Creative Dramatics classes for over 25 years for many educational institutions, including the Children's Museum of Manhattan, New Media Rep, Kids Classes of the Hamptons, Sandpiper Music Together, Music Together by the Dunes, Children's Museum of the East End, Rainbow Preschool, Stella Maris Preschool (East Hampton and Sag Harbor locations), Art House Engel, and the Art Farm. She has been the EC Coordinator and EC Creative Arts Instructor for Ross Summer Camp since 2008.

Laura is married to Christopher Engel, Dean of Students at Ross Lower School and Director of Community Programs, and they have two children who graduated from Ross with honors, Noah '11, and Emma '16.

Catherine Golding-Cremoux brings a rich background in early childhood education from her prior roles in schools in New York City, having taught Kindergarten through Grade 2 at the prestigious Rudolf Steiner School and serving as the lead teacher at the Barnard Toddler Center. Hailing from Mexico City and with the unique multicultural lineage of having an American father and Lebanese mother, Catherine possesses a deep appreciation for global perspectives. This appreciation is further emphasized by her fluency in English, Spanish, and French and her proficiency in Portuguese.

Catherine earned her bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a Master's Degree with Advanced Certification in Child-School Psychology from NYU. This solid foundation underscores her unwavering commitment to understanding and fostering children's holistic development.

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Catherine has a keen interest in outdoor activities and the culinary arts. Central to her philosophy is a dedication to the holistic well-being of children. We are eager and excited for Catherine to share and nurture this ethos at Ross.

Christina Graham (she/they) is a multifaceted artist and educator with a strong foundation in both painting and art instruction. She holds an MFA in Painting from Bard College and a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design. Christina’s diverse experience spans over a decade, combining her passion for art with a commitment to education and community engagement.

Rachel Gruzen joined the Ross School faculty in 2013 and has taught science and sustainability principles at multiple levels from Early Childhood through High School. She aims to cultivate in her students an appreciation for the natural world, a curiosity to investigate, and confidence in communicating scientific principles. Growing up in both New York City and Amagansett, the waters, woodlands, and dunes of the East End provided a healthful balance to an urban childhood. She seeks to pass on that love of local ecology to her students and impart a problem-solving attitude in the face of environmental challenges.

Prior to joining Ross School, Rachel served as an environmental educator and planner for non-profits, municipal government, and design firms in the New York-Long Island area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and a Master in Environmental Management from Yale School of the Environment. She is an Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council. She lives in Springs with her daughter, Marit, and dog, Mabel, and they are often found swimming in the bays.

Nancy earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and History from Boston College and her M.S. in Reading from Long Island University at Southampton. Nancy has taught elementary grades in a variety of private and public schools. In addition to teaching, she is also an ADHD coach, supporting students and families dealing with executive function issues and ADHD. Nancy works with students and parents privately and has presented several workshops for both parent groups and teachers on the subject. Building and supporting the community has always been an important value to Nancy. While raising her four daughters, she has served her local community on various boards and youth-related activities to model the importance of community responsibility. Nancy currently teaches Grade 5 Math, Cultural History, and World Languages and Literature at Ross School.

Geoffrey (Geoff) is very excited to begin his role as a Ross third-grade teacher. As a Ross alumnus, Class of 2006, Geoff is eager to rejoin the Ross community in a new capacity.

Amanda grew up in East Hampton and began studying classical piano at the age of 5. She attended Messiah College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, with a concentration on piano performance and vocal pedagogy and a minor in vocal performance and pipe organ performance. She then returned to East Hampton where she taught choral and instrumental music at East Hampton Middle School while pursuing her Masters in Education degree from Stony Brook University.

Ajiah Jones-King's enduring presence within the Ross community has evolved from her student years to her current roles as a Ross alum, a camp administrator, and a Kindergarten teacher at the Lower School.

She received her most recent degree from the University of Pennsylvania with an M.S. in International Educational Development with a focus on early childhood & human rights. She is also a spoken word artist, writer, and published author. In class, Ajiah encourages creativity and curiosity while also incorporating a daily mindfulness practice to help students stay focused and engaged in their studies.

Kayla Kinsler (or ‘Coach Kayla’) is excited to be teaching Wellness at Ross Lower School. With a passion for promoting health, fitness, and joyful movement, Kayla is dedicated to helping students develop the skills and enthusiasm they need for a lifetime of active living. She holds a degree in Physical Education.

Robyn Mott is an experienced educator with a passion for early childhood education. With 18 years of experience in the field, she currently serves as a Co-Director of Athletics, where she oversees athletics offerings and other after-school community engagement opportunities for Grades 1–6.

Before joining Ross School, Robyn held the position of Director at the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center in East Hampton. Her leadership skills and dedication to providing quality education to young children were evident during her time there.

Robyn's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Oswego. She furthered her education at LIU Post, where she completed a master’s degree in Technology in the Classroom. Additionally, Robyn holds a New York teaching certification for Birth–Grade 6 and for students with disabilities from Birth–Grade 6.

Throughout her career, Robyn has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for her students. She believes in fostering a love for learning and helping children develop the necessary skills to succeed academically and socially. Robyn's dedication to her profession and her students makes her a valuable asset to the educational community.

Nicole O’Brien is a Ross Lower School Kindergarten teacher. Dedicated, determined, and passionate about education & teaching, Ms. O’Brien brings over 24 years of teaching experience into her differentiated approach toward learning while engaging the students through teacher & student-based approaches.

Joy is sparked within this accomplished teacher each day when connections are made within and outside of the classroom. She holds multiple degrees that enrich her day-to-day interactions with the students, creating an environment conducive to acquiring the knowledge needed for success now and in the future.

Sinéad has been working as a Ross School librarian since 2013. She received her BA in English and History from University College Cork in Ireland and her MA in Library and Information Sciences from Queens College, City University of New York. Sinéad grew up in Ireland and has traveled extensively, having lived in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Jodie has been in the teaching profession for over 20 years. She is a graduate of LIU Southampton and Dowling College. She is New York State certified in Elementary, Reading, and Special Education and was a Learning Support Specialist at Hampton Day School and the Morriss Center School for five years prior to joining Ross.

Jodie is part of the cohesive learning specialist team, working closely with local school districts to coordinate educational testing and develop Individualized Education Plans for Ross students and collaborate with service personnel and classroom teachers to implement educational programs that ensure students are provided with comprehensive, differentiated programs tailored to their diverse learning needs and help them meet educational challenges with success.

AnnMarie is an experienced educator who began her teaching career at Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Center Moriches, where she taught kindergarten using a balanced literacy approach. She then taught Pre-K in Bayport with a focus on global studies, preparing children for kindergarten by exploring the geographical world. AnnMarie’s passion for nurturing young minds flourished during her 15-year tenure as the Head Teacher at The Green School in Sagaponack, where she developed curriculums that scaffolded readiness across multiple early childhood stages.

AnnMarie holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College and a Master of Science in Reading K-12 from Dowling College. Her teaching philosophy is deeply influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, which aligns with her belief in recognizing the unique learning styles and paces of each child. As she enters her 29th year of teaching, AnnMarie continues to create an inclusive and stimulating classroom environment where exploration, expression, and creativity are encouraged through various mediums such as music, drawing, writing, and painting. This approach fosters a sense of kindness, imagination, and joy in learning, reflecting the core principles of the Reggio Emilia model. Outside the classroom, AnnMarie enjoys tutoring, gardening, and spending time with her daughter and three dogs in Manorville.

Carolyn earned her BFA in Advertising and Public Relations from the New York Institute of Technology and worked as an Account Executive for an Advertising Agency in NYC. She then moved to Massachusetts and opened her own home daycare business. After several years in Massachusetts, she returned to Long Island and began to grow her family. After her fourth child was born, Carolyn returned to college and earned her Master's of Education degree in elementary education from Dowling College. She then accepted a classroom teaching position at St. Joseph's School where she taught for 14 years.

While at St. Joseph’s, she received a NY State grant to improve elementary math skills and attended the SUNY Old Westbury Institute of Leadership Training for Math, which allowed her to be the K–5 math lead. After several years as a classroom teacher, she was then granted an opportunity to develop a research writing program that closed the gaps in writing skills for students in Grades 5–8.

Since Carolyn is a lifelong learner, she continued her education, earning her School Building/District Leader Certificate from St. Joseph’s College, and completing an internship at Port Jefferson Middle School. Carolyn now serves as a Grade 4 teacher at Ross Lower School. She lives in Miller Place and has four children—Kaitlyn, James, Alyson, and Alexa, and one granddaughter, Valerie.

Eric Sepenoski comes to the Ross learning community as a fourth-generation farmer on the North Fork. While working the family farm each summer and pursuing his education as a teacher and writer, Eric became interested in how our relationships with the land shape our sense of place and purpose.

In 2020, Eric received his Ph.D. from Northeastern University for his ethnographic study of the North Fork and the literacies people enact around land use. He then returned home to work the farm, keeping a promise he had made to himself to raise his young sons on the land with his wife, Brenna, and to renew and strengthen our community through teaching and public service. Eric currently serves on the Town of Southold Board of Trustees, a role that puts him at the creative intersection of science, law, public discourse, and environmental stewardship. At Ross Lower School, he aims to inspire students to see themselves as caretakers of the community and the Earth.

Ms. Brandee comes to us from Detroit, Michigan with a passion for writing, performance, and music, in addition to science/art fusion! 2024 will mark her 21st year in the Hamptons, and the third year that she has taught at Ross School, (previously teaching Pre-K). She is the Atelierista for the Ross Lower School, with a special emphasis on our E.C. classrooms.

When it comes to problem-solving skills, Ms. Brandee enjoys taking care of business through creative intervention. Whether she is writing a catchy tune to help a child learn to spell their name or writing a cheer for our students to celebrate homecoming, Ms. Brandee happily gets things moving in a fun and positive direction! Curating special visual arts projects to tie into the Ross spiral curriculum, as well as her daily work in music and movement within our E.C. program, she is always busy on campus! If you listen carefully, you can hear the kids buzzing along with her!

Ms. Brandee is also the mother of 14-year-old Toshihiro Shiga, who you will see occasionally helping with her business Smartz & Craftz, making bath bombs and coloring the community with all things bold, bright, and fun!

Sherry began working at Ross Lower School in 2008. After attending Southampton College, she earned her masters in art from C.W. Post. She is committed to developing a great art education for students at Ross. Sherry has also taugh art at the Children's Development Center of the Hamptons in Wainscott and Springs School in East Hampton. When she's not teaching, Sherry loves spending time with her two beautiful daughters, Madison and Sierra, in Montauk. She is also an artist with a passion for creating abstract landscape paintings. She also loves to run and to practice hot vinyasa yoga.