lower school
Academics
Academics
Throughout our Lower School, there is much to celebrate. Joyful learning requires a sense of comfort and confidence in ourselves and the people, places, and things around us. Academics, combined with social-emotional learning, are significant parts of the whole that distinguish an authentic learning moment that should not occur in isolation. So each day in our Lower School, our faculty and students, both dedicated and passionate educators and learners, pave the way for meaningful and enjoyable learning opportunities. Walk into our Lower School and let your senses guide you. We guarantee it will be a rewarding and joyous experience…ask any of our students!
OUR PROGRAMS
LEARNING SPACES
LEARNING SPACES
MEET OUR TEACHERS

Patty Pontarelli
Patty Pontarelli
ppontarelli@rockyhill.org
401.884.9070 | ext. 116

ELAINE COSTA BERNARDINO
and Cultures
ELAINE COSTA BERNARDINO

Stephanie Cruff
Stephanie Cruff

Trixie Dumas ’81
Trixie Dumas ’81

WENDY GUSTAVEL
WENDY GUSTAVEL

James Himmelmann
JAMES HIMMELMANN

Ashley Lee
Ashley Lee

Caitlin MacDonald
Director of After-School Programs
Caitlin MacDonald

Natalie Joseph
Natalie Joseph

Charlie Laurent
Charlie Laurent

EMILY McMAHON
EMILY McMAHON
MA Psychology, Adelphi University
M.A.T. Elementary Education,
Rhode Island College
emcmahon@rockyhill.org

JACK McNAMARA
JACK McNAMARA

Patty Mott
Patty Mott
of Rhode Island
BS, Western Governors University
MS ECS, Walden University
pmott@rockyhill.org

Sean Tucker
Sean Tucker

Eric Wyzga
Eric Wyzga

Patty Pontarelli
Lower School Division Head
BA, Rhode Island College
MA, Catholic University of America
ppontarelli@rockyhill.org
ext. 116

ELAINE COSTA BERNARDINO
LS World Languages and Cultures Instructor/ Languages Department Chair
BA, University of Londrina
MBA, Getting Vargas Foundation
ebernardino@rockyhill.org

Stephanie Cruff
Second Grade
BFA, University of Rhode Island
M.Ed, University of New Haven
scruff@rockyhill.org

Trixie Dumas ’81
Lower School Art Coordinator, Lower School Math, Coach
Cert. in Architecture, RISD
BFA, Wheaton College
tdumas@rockyhill.org

Natalie Joseph
Third Grade
BA, University of Rhode Island
M.Ed, University of Rhode Island
njoseph@rockyhill.org

Caitlin MacDonald
Fifth Grade, RHEA Director
BA, BS, University of
Rhode Island
M.Ed, Boston University
cmacdonald@rockyhill.org

EMILY McMAHON
Kindergarten
BA, University of Rhode Island
MA Psychology, Adelphi University
M.A.T. Elementary Education,
Rhode Island College
emcmahon@rockyhill.org

JACK McNAMARA
Band Director, Grade 5 Instrumental
BM, University of Rhode Island
MM, Boston Conservatory
of Music
jmcnamara@rockyhill.org

Patty Mott
Head Preschool Teacher
AS, Community College
of Rhode Island
BS, Western Governors University
MS ECS, Walden University
pmott@rockyhill.org

Sean Tucker
Lower School Physical and
Health Education
BS, Salisbury University
MS, McDaniel College
stucker@rockyhill.org