Contact Admission

Cheryl joined the GCDS Admission Team in the summer of 2015. An independent school “lifer,” she has worked in day and boarding schools since 1995. As the daughter and sibling of educators landing in a school setting was always in her cards. She feels honored to introduce families to the breadth of opportunities and depth of relationships and connections that are unique to independent schools. Cheryl loves the energy and rhythm of the GCDS day - from the early morning carpool line to students passing in hallways, to the excitement of a big game, to the quiet of the sun setting over the campus. Coaching has always been an integral part of her school experience, and she looks forward to her spring afternoons spent with the 6th grade girls lacrosse team.  Originally from Colorado, Cheryl fell in love with the east coast while traveling to field hockey and lacrosse tournaments as a high school player. Cheryl holds a B.A in Political Science from Smith College and a M.Ed. in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Laura joined the GCDS Admission Team in the summer of 2015. At GCDS, she works closely with families applying to the Upper School, as well as families interested in receiving financial assistance. In addition to her work in the admission office, Laura coaches girls' varsity tennis and helps facilitate IDEAS, a diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development series. Prior to GCDS, Laura worked at Blair Academy, where she taught math, coached tennis and squash, and served in the admission office. Originally from Tennessee, Laura spent her elementary and middle school years attending international schools in Luxembourg, Bolivia, and England. She eventually found her way to Connecticut by way of the Hotchkiss School, where she finished high school. Having gotten to know many different school communities over the years, Laura loves working with prospective families to help them find the right fit. Laura completed her undergraduate work in mathematics and economics at Hamilton College in 2010 and her MA in private school leadership at the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. When not at school, Laura can often be found outdoors or chasing around her dog, Ellie... or both!

Lori grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey where she spent her spare time on a competitive gymnastics team at the Montclair YMCA. After graduating from Berkeley College, she worked in NYC as an administrative assistant, copywriter, and office manager.  In 1988, Lori moved to Greenwich to raise her three children. In 2008, she joined Greenwich Country Day School as an Admission Counselor. She connected with our shared belief that every community member is valued, respected, and needed. In turn, each parent, student, faculty, and staff member is willing to, “go the extra mile!” When a family calls the Admission office, Lori is most often the first person with whom they will speak. Lori is committed to making sure that prospective families have a positive first impression of the school and that they understand that their child’s education and wellbeing is our top priority. When she is not at GCDS, Lori enjoys spending time with her family at the beach in Hilton Head SC, working on her backhand, and playing with her dog and best friend, Duncan. 

Eliza joined the Greenwich Country Day School community in 2019. Originally a Greenwich native, Eliza earned her B.A. from Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee in Psychology and Education and was a member of the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. After graduating, she spent three years at a junior boarding school in Lakeville, CT in their admission office. At GCDS, Eliza works closely with prospective students and their families applying to the Middle School. In addition to her work in admissions, Eliza is a middle school advisor, a girl’s lacrosse coach, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Educational Leadership at New York University. Eliza understands and appreciates the value of an independent school education having graduated from one herself and loves helping families explore Country Day as they navigate the school search!

Janelle joined GCDS in 2014 as a French & Spanish teacher to students in grades 7-9. She became Assistant Director of Admission for the Upper School in 2019. Prior to teaching at GCDS, Janelle was a French & Spanish teacher in the New York City public school system via the New York City Teaching Fellow. Janelle holds a B.A. in French and Spanish Language & Literature from SUNY Binghamton, an M.S.T. in Adolescent Foreign Language Education from Pace University, and an M.A. in French Linguistics and Pedagogy from Middlebury College. Being from a tight-knit Caribbean family, family style lunch at GCDS is a tradition that Janelle holds most dear. It provides community members, across divisions and departments, with an opportunity to connect with students, faculty, and staff that they don’t see/interact with everyday. Janelle was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. When not on campus, you will find her cooking/baking and spending time with loved ones. 

Colleen was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, NY. She began her career at Greenwich Country Day School as a first grade co-teacher after graduating from Williams College with a B.A. in English Literature. After two years as a co-teacher, Colleen received her M.A. in elementary education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and accepted a head teaching position at GCDS. For many years Colleen enjoyed teaching children in grades 1, 3, and 5 as a homeroom teacher in both the Lower and Upper Elementary Schools. In 2015, she was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Admission Team where she works closely with families with children applying to nursery through grade 5. Her favorite event and one of the most cherished traditions at GCDS is the Walkathon. The Walkathon embodies the culture of Country Day, which is one of kindness, generosity, and consideration of others. When Colleen is not on campus she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband and their sons, Ricky and Ryan, both of whom are GCDS graduates. 

Rose joined the GCDS Admission Team in the spring of 2019 after working in the GCDS Secondary School Placement Office for three years. Originally from Northern California and a first generation college student, Rose empathetically understands the feelings associated with being new and exploring a new educational setting. A proud parent of two tigers, Rose has worn several parent volunteer hats including Co-Chair of the First Year Family and APPLE Committees. In addition to her work in the admission office, Rose coaches Middle School basketball. Always having loved school and learning, Rose was happy to return to an educational setting after her initial career in the financial services industry as a Financial Analyst at Goldman Sachs. Rose holds a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Psychology from Stanford University. When not in the office, Rose enjoys being physically active, traveling, doing jig-saw puzzles, and spending time with her family watching movies or being on the water in the Long Island Sound.
 

Keith joined the Admission Team in 2018, working closely with families applying to Grades 6-8. Keith loves the incredible community that exists at Country Day and is passionate about helping families find the "right school" for their children. Before coming to GCDS, Keith spent three years as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid at the Stanwich School, where he also taught first grade for six years. A native of Westchester, NY, Keith attended public schools and played several sports including lacrosse, which he continued to play at the collegiate level at Western New England College. He went on to earn a M.Ed. in Early Literacy from  Manhattanville. Currently, Keith is the Head Coach for the Middle School boys lacrosse team. When not in the office Keith can be found chasing around his two children, Adelynn, Class of ‘34, and James or in his woodshop, on the golf course, the lacrosse field, or doing anything outdoors!