About

Faculty & Staff Directory

Rippowam Cisqua School’s experienced and talented educators actively promote intellectual curiosity in students while helping them rise to each challenge. RCS faculty members are dedicated to preparing every child to thrive and grow in a variety of diverse environments, whether it be in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or beyond. With a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers have the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with students, tap into their interests, and build strong bonds with each child.

Faculty & Staff Directory

Department

A-Z

Senior Administration

List of 4 members.

Colm MacMahon

Head of School

914-244-1240
David Brown

Director of Finance

914-244-1261
Emily Hyland

Dir. of Professional Development and Growth, Assoc. Dir. of Admissions, Lower School Coordinator

914-244-1209

Bio
Emily Hyland joined RCS in 2016 and performs a number of roles at the school. As the director of professional development and growth, she guides the professional learning of all RCS teachers and strategizes about how best to support faculty so they are prepared to move programmatic priorities forward. She also sits on the Academic Council and is a member of the Senior Administration team. Two other roles Emily fills are that of Lower School coordinator and associate director of admissions. As Lower School coordinator she oversees the daily life of Lower School teachers and students guiding both big picture curricular as well as day-to-day needs. As associate director of admissions, she works closely with the Admissions team to establish priorities for each admissions season, and works with prospective families to understand the school's program as well as screen prospective students for academic readiness. Emily holds an M.S.Ed. in Literacy and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Educators and a B.A. from Georgetown University. Bragging about the RCS program is a highlight of her day.
Daphne Viders

Director of Development

914-244-1293

Bio
Daphne Viders has worked as part of the Advancement team and within development at RCS since joining the school in 2016. She currently serves as the director of development, overseeing philanthropy and community events (such as the bi-annual Benefit Auction and Friday Night Lights) as well as volunteer participation with the Parents Association, Alumni Association Board, and Parents of Alumni Association – while liaising with outside Northern Westchester community partners and working alongside the Board of Trustees to carry out initiatives that advance the school’s mission. Seeing the generosity of the Ripp community – including the endless support of people’s time, talent, and treasure – is humbling and inspiring to Daphne and is the reason she runs to work each day. She holds an M.A. in Strategic Communications from Columbia University and a B.A. in Journalism/Sports Business from the University of Oregon.

List of 3 members.

Erin Callaghan

Assistant Head of School

914-244-1270
Miles Cameron

Director of Innovation, Art Teacher

914-244-1250

Bio
Miles Cameron is the Director of Innovation and the co-founder of the Creativity Cohort at Rippowam Cisqua School. Miles earned his B.A. in fine arts from Middlebury College. Prior to RCS, he worked as a teacher in the art department at Riverdale Country School where he proposed and implemented various programs such as Maker Club, 3D by Design class, and Boatbuilding class. Miles has lifelong ties to independent school as an alumni, teacher, and parent. He believes strongly in the need to integrate creative thinking and innovation school-wide. Miles works to provide support to faculty and students in developing and implementing new, innovative learning opportunities that extend beyond content mastery. His goal for the Innovation Center at RCS is to give students a space to explore their ideas through an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach.
Karin Smith

Director of Communications

914-244-1292

List of 3 members.

Michael Bowman

Director of Operations and Technology

914-244-1276
Liz Hallock

Director of Admissions

914-244-1296

Bio
Liz Hallock came to RCS in 2015 after a career in advertising sales at the Wall Street Journal and City Business Journals. She is married to RCS alum Peter '92 and together they have three children – two who have graduated from RCS, Annie '21 and Kate '23, and Peter '26 who is in Grade 7. They have lived in the Bedford area for 15 years. Liz earned a B.A. in English from Bucknell University and played lacrosse for the Bisons. Her kids love the sport as well, so you will see Liz and Pete on the sidelines. She is a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and enjoys golf, reading fluffy novels, and going to the beach at the Jersey shore where she's from, or to Block Island, in the summer.
Ridley Sperling

Dir. of Secondary School Placement; Dir. of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Capstone Program Teacher

914-244-1257

Bio
Ridley Sperling graduated from RCS in 1993 and then graduated from Miss Porter’s. She holds a B.A. from NYU, an M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, and two M.A.s from Mercy College (English Literature and Education). Ridley also has a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Ridley has been working at RCS since 2003. In addition to her role as Director of Secondary School Placement, she teaches ninth grade humanities, Writing Workshop, Thesis, and Ethics, and is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She also coaches field hockey and lacrosse and is co-director of the ninth grade program.

Rippowam Cisqua School
439 Cantitoe Street
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250

Rippowam Cisqua School is a PreK-Grade 9 independent day school in Westchester County, New York. RCS offers challenging academics built on innovation, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, wellness, leadership, service learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

Faculty & Staff Directory