FACULTY & STAFF
Stamford, CT
Administrators

Becky Rabassa
Executive Director
Becky earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Curry College and her Master of Social Work from Columbia University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over thirty years of experience working in both social service organizations and independent schools. She specializes in program development with specific expertise in the topics of wellness, social-emotional learning, and leadership. In both her administrative roles and clinical work, Becky takes a solution-focused approach while supporting children, teens, and their families. Before joining Links Academy, she spent over 20 years working in private and public schools and is intimately familiar with both landscapes. Becky enjoys traveling, reading, and watching movies.

Brennan Kelly
Director of Tutoring and Test Prep
Brennan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science at Williams College. He teaches U.S., European, and world history, as well as pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry. Brennan loves sharing ideas with students and watching them develop those ideas based on their knowledge and experience. When not teaching, he loves to travel and read.

Ann Ramone
Program Manager
Ann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon. She has worked in the field of early childhood education as a teacher and director as well as the hospitality and technology fields in human resources. Ann strives to provide professional support to all students, families, and staff at Links Academy so that they have a positive and beneficial experience. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and exercising outdoors.
Teachers

Marisa Annunziata
Marisa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Spanish Language and Literature from George Washington University. She has over ten years of experience both in the U.S. and abroad teaching Spanish, English as a second language, and Italian using a student-centered, interactive teaching method. She strives to help her students build functional proficiency in their second language, and also enhance their speaking confidence so they are excited to use their skills in real-life situations. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, walking, and running in nature, and also cooking and salsa dancing.

Anne Crocker
Anne grew up in Argentina, bilingual from an early age. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in French and Spanish, then a Master of Business Administration in International Marketing from New York University. Anne has lived in Paris and London and has traveled extensively. She taught Spanish from third grade through Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture in private schools for many years. Anne loves being in the classroom and teaching students how empowering another language can be, as well as helping students learn how rich and diverse the multiple Hispanic cultures are. Anne is an avid reader, walks frequently, loves travel, and loves being on or near the water. She plays pickleball a few times a week and is also an avid weekly bridge player. Anne also enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren.

Robert Kelly
Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of New Haven and then went on to pursue his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. Robert has extensive experience in education as a tutor, lecturer, and laboratory instructor and teaches science and math courses at Links Academy. Having interacted with hundreds of students, he strongly believes in the tailoring of education to the needs of the student and the importance of verbal learning. Robert's other interests include finance, cosmology, nutrition, exercise science, and psychology.

Katherine Magyarody
Bio coming soon.

Chris Dunn
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Sacred Heart University. He teaches history and civics courses at Links Academy. Chris has taught history and civics since 2008 in Fairfield, Danbury, the Bronx, and for the Stamford Adult Education Program. He has also served as a tutor for The Princeton Review. Chris loves reading about different topics, spending time with his dogs, weightlifting, and going on day trips.

Anna Farkas
Anna attended Brandeis University in Massachusetts, where she received a bachelor's degree followed by medical school at Mount Sinai, and later surgical and colorectal surgery residencies, a pathology residency, and private practice in Chicago. Anna then began as a teacher and educational administrator in Illinois and Indiana. She has now returned to the East Coast, where her family is settled.

Ana Rabassa
Ana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Tufts University and her Master of Science in Finance from Boston College. She spent over ten years working in finance and equity trading at Fidelity Investments. Before joining Links Academy, Ana worked as a private tutor and executive function coach, working one-on-one with middle and high school students. At Links Academy, Ana teaches math and Spanish and supports students in developing personalized plans to complete missed schoolwork, helping them transition smoothly back to their referring schools. In her free time, Ana enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Michael Donkin
Michael holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Oregon, where he taught writing and Introduction to Poetry for six years. He studied philosophy at American University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Michael also taught SAT prep while earning a master's in Secondary Education at CUNY Hunter. His first poetry collection, Dreaming at Noon, was published in late 2023. Michael now teaches English at Links Academy. He loves to think about art and visit museums.

Sam Weinstock
Sam earned his Bachelor of Arts in Educational Philosophy and Anthropology from Hampshire College. During his thesis in multicultural education, he established a cross-cultural program with an Aboriginal Australian and an alternative environmental school in New York. Sam performed graduate work at New York University in Environmental Conservation Education, which included teaching and tutoring at Tranby Aboriginal College and other universities in Australia. In the U.S., Sam has taught environmental education, pre-K through high school, for about 15 years. Most recently, his pursuits include running a small nature center in Westchester, NY, where his love is teaching animal behavior, horticulture, and local ecosystems. Outside of work, Sam spends time with family, writes poetry, and kayaks.

Emma Boniche
Emma earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Education in K-12 Gifted Education from Elon University. She is a certified grade 7-12 biology teacher in the state of Connecticut and has taught biology, forensic science, and anatomy and physiology. Emma is passionate about teaching and loves seeing her students grow as learners and people. She is an avid skier in winter and enjoys kayaking during the summer.

Chad Ennis
Chad earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Marketing from the University of Hartford. Chad teaches ESL and English courses at Links Academy. He began his teaching journey by teaching English at his local library as well as teaching at a historical art museum in Greenwich, CT and the love of the profession has carried him since. Chad loves to learn new things and to share his knowledge with others. He is an avid reader of a wide range of topics and loves to cook, especially foods from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Erica Kipp
Erica Kipp is a biologist, educator, and environmental advocate with a career spanning research, teaching, and conservation. She began as a plant chemist at The New York Botanical Garden, collaborating with the National Cancer Institute and managing global plant collection projects for a decade. She later led the Biology Department at Pace University’s NYC campus before joining Norwalk Community College, where she teaches biology, chemistry, and environmental science and coordinates introductory biology courses.
Kipp works with the Humane Society to advance animal welfare policy and has earned national teaching awards, environmental advocacy honors, and recognition for her research. She has published peer-reviewed articles, textbook chapters, and a biology laboratory manual, and secured grants for conservation initiatives. She holds a Master of Science in Education (Publishing), a Master of Arts in Ecology, a Master of Science in Chemistry, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, along with Connecticut State certification in biology, chemistry, and general science (grades 7–12).

Emma Paynter
Emma earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Italian Literature with a minor in Psychology from Fordham University. In her junior year, she studied in Florence, Italy with Middlebury College and took their graduate-level curriculum at the Università di Firenze. She pursued her interest in psychology at Columbia University, where she obtained her MA and Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling with a concentration in Special Education. Emma has more than twenty years of teaching, tutoring, and counseling experience, working with students from kindergarten to college-aged. At Links Academy, she provides executive function coaching and teaches English, French, and special education. In her free time, Emma enjoys a good cappuccino and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Judy Wilkens
Judy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Southern Connecticut State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies from Binghamton University, and teaching certificates in Mathematics and Biology Secondary Education. She has worked as a classroom math teacher, as well as a private tutor for math and test preparation. She loves working with young people and helping them develop independent and creative approaches to problem-solving. Judy has been playing classical piano her whole life and is also a choral singer. She enjoys puzzle-solving of all kinds, including crosswords, jigsaws, and a variety of math and logic puzzles. She also loves reading novels, relaxing with her cats, and spending time outdoors.

Kameron Isaacs
Kameron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and English with a minor in Psychoanalytic Studies from Boston College. After college, he served for three years in AmeriCorps as a middle school English teacher at St. Martin de Porres Academy in New Haven, CT. While serving there, he developed a passion for teaching and earned his Master of Education at Fairfield University. For the last decade, Kameron has worked as a writing tutor, executive functioning coach, and Director of Curriculum at S4 Study Skills. He teaches English at Links Academy, and he enjoys traveling and spending quality time with friends and family.

Paula Crotty
Paula earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Mathematics from New York University. She tutored MBA students in calculus while still a student at NYU and then went on to educate employees of non-profit organizations on their retirement plans while completing her CFP designation. Paula teaches Pre-Algebra through Calculus and has always gotten much joy from working with her students. Teaching has always been a great source of reward and satisfaction for her. Paula enjoys playing racquetball, the outdoors, swimming, and meditation.

Lisa Ribaudo
Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Engineering with a minor in Economics from Columbia University. Lisa teaches math courses at Links Academy. She started tutoring privately while still in high school and continued to find ways to teach as she pursued a career as a scientist and engineer. She has taught all ages, from young children to adults, in a wide range of settings. Lisa loves gardening, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Mineko Chiba
Bio coming soon.

Jon Fermo
Jon Fermo earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, where he won the prestigious Arnold Prize in Design and a Master of Education from the City College of New York. He has earned teaching certifications in both Connecticut and New York. Jon teaches math and science courses at Links Academy. He loves helping students achieve their goals and being part of their academic journey, and believes learning is most effective in an engaging and encouraging environment. He enjoys playing tennis, following the stock market, and traveling.

Carol Levison
Carol earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a minor in history from Southern Connecticut State University. She also earned a Master of History with a focus on Early America and Civil Rights. Carol has been teaching for over 20 years and teaches U.S. and world history, law and government, and English courses. She strives to pass her love of learning about history and politics on to her students. In her free time, Carol enjoys going to the theatre, looking at art, and listening to music.

Jeff Zuckerman
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brown University and attended graduate school at the University of Florida, receiving an MFA in Creative Writing, and completing the coursework for a Doctorate in English. He has taught history and English to grades 7-12, including to students with learning disabilities. Jeff also has extensive experience tutoring for standardized tests as well as regular academic subjects. In his free time, Jeff likes to read, write, and box.

Gabe Finehout
Gabe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from Binghamton University. He teaches STEM courses ranging from middle school to college level. Gabe enjoys incorporating applied mathematics and technology into lessons, such as programming and virtual reality. His goal is to prepare students to be capable and critical thinkers in our innovative, multifaceted world.

Christy Wexler
Christy earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Fairfield University and attended graduate school at Rutgers University, receiving a Master of Science in Biology and completing coursework for a Ph.D. in Neurobiology. She is a certified biology teacher for grades 7-12 and has been an Adjunct Professor at Iona College for five years. In her free time, Christy is a troop leader for the Girl Scouts and likes to take her dog on long hikes in the woods.

Jeff Queen
Jeff earned an undergraduate degree in American Literature at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and, over the years, added an additional master's in American Literature from City College of New York, as well as a master's in Educational Leadership and Administration. He has made use of an undergraduate minor in Biology by teaching Environmental Science in New York City and has spent more than twenty years teaching every facet of high school English in Westchester. Jeff’s area of expertise has been teaching students with academic and emotional challenges, which he has used to help students and families in southern Connecticut and Westchester, New York.

Paul Zeidan
With 30 years of experience as a certified high school teacher in special education, English, and social studies, Paul is a passionate educational consultant and special education advocate. He loves working with teens and is passionate about helping every student find their strengths and succeed, both in and out of the classroom. Whether it’s through teaching, mentoring, or just being there to listen, he is all about supporting high schoolers on their unique journeys. Paul’s passion lies in empowering high school students of all backgrounds to reach their fullest potential—whether through personalized instruction, thoughtful advocacy, or compassionate guidance. Paul is committed to creating a learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Links Academy does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by CT state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. Links Academy is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons and equal access to Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. Inquiries should be directed to Laurie DiPreta, Human Resources and Benefits Manager, ldipreta@greenwichedgroup.com.