Faculty & Staff Updates

Sarah Addison joins our faculty as a Part-Time First Grade Assistant Teacher. Sarah emerged as a strong candidate during interviews and her demonstration lesson, in which she showed excellent content knowledge, classroom management strategies, and relationship-building skills. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Greensboro, and she was a lead teacher in First and Second Grades for eight years. References commented on her collaborative nature and her gift for connecting with students, parents, and colleagues. 

Beth Allen joins GDS as a Part-Time First Grade Assistant Teacher. Beth’s experience includes previous experience at GDS as a substitute teacher as well as more than two decades of experience teaching in Guilford County. Beth holds a degree in Elementary Education and received her National Board Certification twice. In her interview, Beth lit up as she talked about working with young children, especially those who are learning to read. Beth’s knowledge of first grade development and her desire to continue working with children make her a wonderful addition to the team.

Ellen Brown ’05 joins GDS as Director of Auxiliary Operations. Ellen brings after-school programming experience as the former Education Director and Teaching Artist at Wingspan Arts in New York City, where she led a team of more than 150 teaching artists and balanced strategic planning and operational execution for the program. Most recently, Ellen served as the middle school theatre director at Durham Academy. Ellen earned her bachelor of fine arts at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, a Master of Arts in teaching from RELAY Graduate School of Education, and a Master of Arts in applied theatre from the City University of New York.

Michelle Cole joins Bengal Nation as a Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher. Michelle comes to GDS with almost three decades of experience in a kindergarten classroom. Michelle holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Elementary Education. In addition, she earned her National Board certification twice and was selected to be part of a three-year North Carolina Kindergarten Teacher Leaders program. Michelle’s references describe her as a relationship-builder, a curriculum expert, and a “one of a kind” educator.

Holly Christensen joins Bengal Nation as our Eighth Grade English Teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Milsaps College and a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. She is also a graduate of the Educator Preparation Institute offered by the Florida Department of Education. Holly has eight years of experience as a middle school language arts teacher at St. Pius School, where she also served as the Teacher Librarian and Battle of the Books coach. Prior to her career as an educator, Holly had a 15-year career as the Editor and Marketing & Public Relations Director at Home Magazine. Her references describe her as an outstanding English teacher who stretches her students, is a great collaborator, and demonstrates flexibility.

Akemi Fink joins GDS as a Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and has 10 years of experience as a preschool teacher. She also holds an Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Certification. Her references described her as creative, professional, and deeply dedicated to children, highlighting her passion for nature-based teaching and the warmth and expertise she will bring to our preschool community.

Roderick Fludd joins GDS as Dean of Campus Life. Roderick has nearly 25 years of experience in independent schools teaching, coaching, advising, and leading. Most recently, he served in a leadership role at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida, a PK–12 independent school, where he has worked for eight years as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Roderick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from South Carolina State University and a Master of Educational Studies degree from Manhattanville University. His colleagues and supervisor describe him as a skillful collaborator, a strong relationship-builder, and a positive presence across campus.

Kelly Goldsmith joins Bengal Nation as Upper School Spanish Teacher. She comes to GDS with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Furman University and a master’s degree in Spanish Romance Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has several years of independent school teaching experience with middle and upper school students and has worked or studied abroad in three countries: Spain, Chile, and the Dominican Republic. Kelly’s references described her as a pedagogical expert who strives to make learning accessible for all students through a dynamic classroom environment and as a joyful and collaborative team player with a strong work ethic and positive team energy. 

Naina Kunjappa joins GDS as a Bengal Tots Assistant Teacher. Naina holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing and brings more than 10 years of experience working as a preschool teacher, along with prior work in private practice as a speech-language pathologist. Naina’s references describe her as someone who brings warmth and patience to the classroom, has a natural gift for working with young children, and is deeply respectful of both children and families.

Rinku Mitra will cover our upper school Chemistry classes while Nancy-Kerr Lynch is on maternity leave. Rinku holds an undergraduate degree in biology with an emphasis in environmental sciences from Manchester Metropolitan University in England and a post-graduate degree in Education - Secondary Science from Durham University in England. Rinku brings 26 years of teaching experience to the classroom, including several years of teaching at Greensboro Day School. She is also the parent of a GDS alumnus. Rinku’s references describe her as highly professional and an impressive subject expert who always puts students at the heart of her practice.

Angela Rumball joins the Fine Arts faculty in the role of Part-Time Middle School Choral Teacher, teaching Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Winthrop University; her primary instrument was voice, and her secondary was piano. She earned her Master of Music degree, along with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Angela has been a vocal, piano, and composition teacher for more than 10 years in her private studio. She also was the artist in residence at GROW at Creative Greensboro in 2023. Angela’s references describe her as very knowledgeable in vocal instruction, highly organized, and a self-starter

Dana Sagen joined GDS in May as Upper School Administrative Assistant. She brings with her a wealth of administrative experience, having previously worked as a Human Resources Manager and an Administrative Assistant. Her references described her as detail-oriented, highly professional, and a strong team player—qualities that will make her a valuable addition to our community

Katie Smith joins Bengal Nation as Part-Time First Grade Assistant Teacher. She has been a substitute at Greensboro Day School for the last five years and has demonstrated the ability to teach everything from Spanish to science to P.E. and to work with students across all grade levels. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and the lower school faculty consistently provides positive feedback about Katie’s professional, capable presence in their classrooms.