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Our
Teachers
RCK serves families with our outstanding professional staff and visiting specialists. Our experienced staff all hold either bachelor degrees, graduate degrees or additional teaching certificates, and all are CPR, First Aid and Epi-pen trained.​
All Staff members attend continuing education workshops each year and hold membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Our school is licensed by the State of Connecticut.
Melinda Kovack, Lead Teacher, 4s
Mrs. Kovack has been with RCK since September 2006 with prior preschool teaching experience here in Ridgefield. Mrs. Kovack has served as Lead teacher in the 3's, Director and currently,
Lead teacher in the 4's classroom. She also obtained the Designated Head Teacher certification with the State of Connecticut. Preparing our young children to be responsible, loving and confident learners has alwavs been the underlying goal for her.
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Mrs. Kovack has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from WCSU, and has lived in Ridgefield since 1993. She enjoys hiking with her husband and visiting with her daughters.
Lisa Kelley, Lead Teacher, 3s
Mrs Kelley moved with her husband to Ridgefield in 1993. Her twin daughters went through the Ridgefield public schools. Since completing college, both girls are now living and working in Manhattan.
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Mrs Kelley spent a decade in the corporate advertising world working in media for a variety of clients before she left to give birth to her daughters. Inspired by her children’s experience in the Montessori early learning environment, she completed a two year AMS Montessori teaching program through CMTE and taught in the school after her children graduated. After taking time off to raise her children, she happily joined RCK as the head three’s teacher in 2016. The three’s classroom is a time of tremendous social, emotional, and educational growth. Our mission is to foster a safe and exciting classroom environment to create curious, lifelong learners.
Lisa DelGiudice, Lead Teacher, 2s
Mrs. DelGiudice moved to Ridgefield in 1996 and has raised 4 children (one boy and three girls) in the Ridgefield Public School system. She is married and has a Cavapoo named Peanut.
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Mrs. DelGiudice earned a Master's Degree at Sacred Heart University in teaching Pre-K-8 and worked for the Stamford and Wilton Public Schools for 14 years prior to taking time off to raise their 3rd and 4th child. Mrs. DelGiudice has been the 2's Lead Teacher at RCK since 2015. "Our goal is to foster a love for learning, art, and simple science while sharing, taking turns and caring for one another."
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In her spare time, Mrs. DelGiudice enjoys playing tennis, painting, donating time to other local non-profits, as well as leading volunteer organizations for her children.
Jill Arkins, Assistant Teacher, 4s
Mrs. Arkins moved to Ridgefield when she was 3 years old. At age 4, Jill attended RCK, as did her two younger siblings. The beloved Marylou Klouman was her first teacher. Her daughter is a recent graduate of RCK and her son is a current RCK child.
Mrs. Arkins received her BA in Communication from WCSU and completed her student teaching at Barlow Mountain Elementary School. Mrs. Arkins began subbing at RCK in 2023 and is thrilled to have joined the RCK 4s team in 2024.
Mrs. Arkins favorite things to do are spending time with her family and German Shepard, Merlot. She loves vacationing in Hilton Head,SC, cooking & hosting friends and family for special events and holidays at her house.
Lisa DiCamillo, Assistant Teacher, 3s
Mrs. DiCamillo has a BS and a Master's degree in Elementary Education. This will be her fifth year working at RCK. She previously worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Stamford Public School System before taking time off to raise her children.
Mrs. DiCamillo lives in Redding with her husband Tim, three children-Tyler, Noelle, and Alexa, and her Yorkies- Jax and Gia. In her free time, Mrs. DiCamillo enjoys traveling, reading. gardening, and spending time with her family.
Casey O'Connor, Assistant Teacher, 3s
Mrs. O'Connor joined the RCK family when her family moved to Ridgefield from the DC area in
2020. She subbed at RCK for much of the 2021 - 2022 school year and was excited to become a full-time staff member in the 4s class in 2022-2023!
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Mrs. O'Connor studied education at Dartmouth College and taught public elementary school in Virginia before having kids. She is beyond excited to be back in the classroom, especially in a place as special as RCK!
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When she's not at school, Mrs. O'Connor loves to garden, play softball, and spend time with her family and old rescue dog.
Myriam Albis, Assistant Teacher, 2s
Mrs. Albis has lived in Ridgefield since 2016. She has four children. Mrs. Albis discovered how special RCK was when her two youngest children were in the 3's and 4's classes.
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Mrs. Albis has an Associate Degree in early childhood from studying in Sydney, Australia.
She worked as a preschool teacher before deciding to be a stay at home mother.
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Mrs. Albis is originally from France and moved to the US when she got married. She enjoys hiking, going to the beach, discovering new places and petsitting.
Lena Wirtz, Assistant Teacher, 2s
Mrs. Wirtz moved with her family to Ridgefield from Germany in 2013 and joined the RCK family when her youngest son attended the 3’s class.
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After spending 14 years as a devoted stay-at-home mom, Mrs. Wirtz is excited to leverage her firsthand knowledge as a mother of five to make a positive impact on young lives and create a nurturing learning environment in the 2’s program.
In her free time, Mrs. Wirtz finds joy in spending quality time with her family and taking care of her garden, chickens, and bunnies. She also loves reading, playing games, and exploring nature through hiking.