List of 18 members.

• 

  Edward Parsons 

  Head of School

  339-686-2241

  n.parsons@rivers.org

  Bio

  Edward (Ned) V. Parsons is Rivers’ eighth Head of School. Prior to assuming his position on July 1, 2014, he was the dean of faculty at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut.
  
  

  Ned joined Loomis Chaffee in 1994 as an English teacher and coach after three years at Salisbury School. He became dean of students in 1999 and transitioned to dean of faculty in 2007. During his tenure he also coached the girls’ varsity ice hockey team for 12 years and served as an admissions associate for three years. He is a thoughtful, creative, and engaging leader who has overseen a number of initiatives including a campus-wide curriculum review, the creation of a teaching and learning center, and the establishment of vibrant interdisciplinary centers.
  
  

  Ned has a B.A. in political science from Middlebury College (where he was also captain of the hockey team), a M.A. in English from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and a Ed.M. in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was educated in the New Trier Township public schools north of Chicago, and attended a post-graduate year at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut.
  
  

  In the course of his career, Ned has acquired a broad range of administrative experience, developed collaborative and productive relationships with faculty, and most importantly, maintained a strong commitment to students. The focus of his career has been on creating the best educational experience for students so they may become whole people who value arts and athletics, intellect and integrity, friendship and fairness.
• 

  John Bower 

  Assistant Head of Middle School, Director of Diversity and Inclusivity, Music

  339-686-2265

  j.bower@rivers.org

  Bio

  John joined the faculty in 2008 and currently serves as the Assistant Head of Middle School, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Middle School Choral Director. During his time at Rivers, John has also taught Middle School and Upper School French, music directed the Middle School and Upper School musicals, and advised the a cappella groups. In 2017, he received the Walter Family Community Award recognizing his "commitment to cultivating a caring community through extraordinary contributions to the school." Outside of Rivers, John sings with a semi-professional a cappella group, "Redline," and performs with a variety of community theater groups. He holds a BA in music theory & composition and a minor in French language from Haverford College.
• 

  Melissa Dolan 

  Middle School Curriculum Leader, Humanities

  339-686-2284

  m.dolan@rivers.org

  Bio

  A 1998 graduate of Rivers, Ms. Dolan began teaching in the Middle School in 2005. She currently teaches eighth grade humanities and is an advisor. She also serves as Middle School Curriculum Leader. In 2015, she received the Mida van Zuylen Dunn award for teaching excellence. Ms. Dolan earned her BA in English at Dartmouth College and her ALM in history at Harvard.
• 

  Amy Enright 

  Director of The Center for Community and Civic Engagement, History, Model UN Coordinator

  339-686-2422

  a.enright@rivers.org

  Bio

  Amy Enright teaches Advanced Placement Modern European History and World History II. Since joining Rivers in 2004, she has been a faculty advisor for the Rivers Model United Nations club. In addition, she serves on the Leadership Committee and the Focus Group on 21st Century Education. Amy was the recipient of the Mida van Zuylen Dunn Award for Teaching in 2007. Amy earned her Ph.D. in early modern European history from Emory University in 2004.
• 

  Leslie Fraser 

  Interim Upper School Dean of Faculty, Mathematics

  339-686-2261

  l.fraser@rivers.org

  Bio

  Leslie joined Rivers in 2005 and teaches math in the Upper School. She is also co-advisor to the Debate Team and serves on the Leadership Committee. Prior to joining Rivers, Leslie was an attorney, specializing in investment management law. She earned her B.S. in mathematics at Bucknell University and her J.D. from Boston University.
• 

  M. Kristen Kelleher 

  Director of Advancement

  339-686-2236

  k.kelleher@rivers.org

  Bio

  Krissie has worked in development for over 15 years, having started her career in the Harvard College Fund office before moving to Loomis Chaffee, where she was an integral part of the development team. Krissie worked at Loomis as associate director of development and major gifts officer before being promoted to director of major gifts, and then director of the school’s Centennial Campaign. A native of the South Shore, she earned a B.A. in communication from Boston College and an M.A. in public relations from Boston University.
• 

  Michael Kris 

  Head of Middle School

  339-686-2281

  m.kris@rivers.org

  Bio

  Mike is the newly appointed Head of Middle School. Mike began his career teaching Latin, History and English at the Dutchess Day School in Millbrook, NY, served as Director of Teacher Development at Far Hills Country Day in Far Hills, NJ, and served as Assistant Head of School at Willow School in Gladstone, NJ. He comes to Rivers from Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, TX where he began his tenure as Head of Middle School in 2010. At Trinity Valley, Mike was responsible for hiring, evaluating and mentoring a faculty of 30 with a focus on helping them develop initiatives to promote 21st century skills, design thinking, technology integration, and brain-based teaching strategies. He introduced programs aimed at fostering curiosity, innovation, and global perspectives.
  
  

  Mike is a graduate of the Rivers School, Class of 1987. He received his B.A. in English from Macalester College, his M.A. in Education from Lesley University. From Teachers College, Columbia University he received his M.A. in Private School Leadership, his Ed.M. in Educational Administration and his Ed.D. in Educational Administration. Mike is widely hailed by his colleagues as a leader in the field of middle school education.
• 

  Gillian Lloyd 

  Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

  339-686-2251

  g.lloyd@rivers.org

  Bio

  Gillian has served as Director of Admissions at Rivers since 2000. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Admissions at The Governor’s Academy as well as working at a number of colleges and universities in their admissions offices. In addition, Gillian has been a marketing and communications consultant. She graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in American Studies and earned her M.Ed. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
• 

  James Long 

  Assistant Head of School

  339-686-2272

  j.long@rivers.org

  Bio

  As Assistant Head of School and Director of Student Affairs for the Upper School, Jim Long is responsible for the Upper School co-curricular program, advisor program and assembly program, and oversees the Upper School Class Deans. Jim is also a Middle School boys’ basketball coach and ninth grade academic counselor. Jim has held a number of positions during his tenure, including Dean of Students for the Upper School, Head of Middle School, acting Head of School, and varsity basketball coach. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in history and government and later received a master’s in education from Harvard University.
• 

  David Lyons 

  Director of College Counseling

  339-686-2270

  d.lyons@rivers.org

  Bio

  As Director of College Counseling, Dave is responsible for all facets of college counseling office, including counseling students and parents in the college search process, course selection for seniors, and working with faculty, staff, administration, and trustees. Dave also serves as the school's liaison to the NCAA eligibility center. He is a frequent presenter at professional conferences, and well as to executive groups on topics such as developing strategies for their children’s college process, tackling the common application, and athletic recruiting. As a Rivers graduate, he was inspired by his experience here to pursue a career in education, and is thrilled to be back working with many of those same people. A graduate of Hamilton College, he previously served there as Assistant Dean of Admissions.
• 

  Benjamin McGovern 

  Director of Facilities

  781-235-9300

  b.mcgovern@rivers.org

  Bio

  As Director of Facilities since 2010, Ben is responsible for the oversight and management of all buildings, grounds, vehicles, and infrastructure at all Rivers School properties. Before coming to Rivers, he was Construction Supervisor at Wellesley Builders, where he was involved in the construction of the Rivers School Conservatory’s Bradley Hall facility in 2007.
• 

  William Mills 

  Upper School Dean of Students, History

  339-686-2429

  w.mills@rivers.org

  Bio

  Will joined The Rivers School in 2008 and teaches 11th and 12th grade history. He graduated with a B.A. in political science from Connecticut College and received his A.L.M. at Harvard University. An avid rower, Will coaches boys’ crew at area high schools and rowing clubs. He came to Rivers from Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, where he taught history, coached, and served as a dorm parent.
• 

  Robert Pipe 

  Director of Athletics, Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach

  339-686-4581

  r.pipe@rivers.org
• 

  Stephen Porter 

  Director of Communications and Marketing

  339-686-2263

  s.porter@rivers.org

  Bio

  Stephen joined Rivers in August 2018 after working for two years as director of communications at Northfield Mount Hermon, a boarding school in Western Massachusetts. Prior to that, Stephen worked for 10 years at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. There he held the position of director of web publishing and media relations and had primary responsibility for managing the school's website and developing its digital communication strategies. Before joining Phillips, Stephen spent 15 years working as a journalist, first as a newspaper reporter and then as editor-in-chief of several different video and computer graphics technology magazines. A native New Englander, Stephen holds a BA in economics and political science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• 

  Jonathan Robinson 

  Director of Technology

  339-686-2482

  j.robinson@rivers.org

  Bio

  As Director of Technology, Jon is responsible for the technological needs of 681 faculty, staff, and students of The Rivers School and The Rivers School Conservatory. He was the recipient of Rivers' Bergen-Decker Award in 2009. Prior to coming to Rivers, Jon worked as network manager of the Boston Law firm Palmer & Dodge LLP. He has a BA from Assumption College.
• 

  Gabriella Sanna 

  Director, Rivers School Conservatory, Performing Arts Department Chair

  339-686-2330

  g.sanna@rivers.org

  Bio

  Gabriella Sanna returns to the Rivers community, having previously served as chair of the Chamber Music Department, registrar for the Conservatory, and private piano instructor. She brings a deep commitment to music performance and music education as well as nearly two decades in arts administration. Before returning to Rivers, Gabriella was Executive Director at Project STEP and at the Dedham School of Music, Artistic Director of Steinway Society of Massachusetts Piano Competition, Assistant Director at the Dana Hall School of Music, and Chamber Music Director and Artist-in-Residence at Beaver Country Day School. She has a master’s degree in piano performance from the Longy School of Music; an artist diploma in piano performance from the Accademia Internazionale di Novara, Italy; and a diploma in piano performance from the Conservatorio di Musica “L. Canepa,” Sassari, Italy.
• 

  Susan Tammaro 

  Upper School Dean of Academic Affairs

  339-686-2266

  s.tammaro@rivers.org

  Bio

  Susan Tammaro is the newly appointed Upper School Dean of Academic Affairs. She began her teaching career in the Psychology Department at Regis College, first as an assistant professor, then associate professor, before taking over as department chair. Susan also served as Dean of Institutional Research and Assessment at Regis, and most recently as Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness in 2013. In her role, Susan created and implemented programs aimed at enhancing access for first-generation college students that would ensure their successful path through the undergraduate experience. Susan’s work in this role put her in charge of strategic initiatives within the academic realm of the college, where she created and implemented new programs designed to differentiate Regis within their market. Susan holds a BA in psychology from Regis College and her MA and PhD in experimental cognitive psychology from Loyola University of Chicago. Before joining Regis, Susan worked as a Senior Human Factors Engineer for The Mitre Corporation. As Dean of Academic Affairs at Rivers, Susan oversees the academic life of the Upper School, while also driving innovation in our programs, implementing the programmatic initiatives of the Strategic Plan and working closely with Department Chairs.
• 

  Jonathan Wasserman 

  Director of Finance and Operations, Asst.Treasurer

  339-686-2232

  j.wasserman@rivers.org

  Bio

  Jon's primary responsibilities as Director of Finance and Operations and Assistant Treasurer include serving as the School's Chief Financial Officer as well as overseeing non-academic operations at Rivers such as transportation, food service, facilities, and auxiliary programs like Camp Nonesuch and The Rivers Day Camp. He serves on the school's Finance, Facilities, Investments, Executive, Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, Audit, and Music Executive Committees. A 1988 graduate of Rivers, Jon previously worked as Associate Director of Finance and Operations for five years as well as Associate Director of Advancement for six years. He graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s in history and education and a master’s in business administration in social policy and management. Jon was the recipient of Rivers' Bergen-Decker Award in 2013.