Mission-Driven

our team

Child-Centered

Brittany is the visionary behind Rising Sky Academy and mom to three boys. After navigating the education system in search of a better fit for her children, she set out to create a school that nurtured and supported every child through individualized learning. Blending her background as a former attorney with her experience as a homeschooling parent, Brittany directs the school's mission and goals. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga and spending time on the water.

Brittany Ursini

Kate Magaldi

Academic support consultant

Kate spent much of her career in New Haven Public Schools, where she served as Special Education Chair. She holds a dual master’s in Elementary and Special Education, is certified in NY, CT, RI, and MA, and has taught in public schools as well as as a contracted private teacher. Kate lives with her husband, Tom, their sons Thomas and Reilly, and their spirited parti-labradoodle, Conroy, and she loves spending time with her family in RI & NY and going on hikes.

Founder

director of special education & STudent support

Meet Our Team

At Rising Sky Academy, our team is more than educators — we are parents, mentors, and visionaries united by a belief that every child deserves an education tailored to their unique strengths. Together, we bring a deep passion for education, a commitment to individualized learning, and a belief in the power of nature to spark curiosity and growth.

Lindsay Covello

Lindsay has been working with young children professionally for over 12 years. She hold a Master’s degree in Education and is certified in both Special Education K–12 and General Education K–6. Over the years, she has worked in a variety of educational settings and has supported children with many different learning styles, strengths, and needs. She is passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, and exploring the world around them.

educator (4-6 Age Group)

Pamela Marino

Pam is an educator and learning designer with 16+ years of experience helping children develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning. She holds master’s degrees in education and organizational leadership, is Montessori trained, and is certified in adapting instruction for children with learning differences. She blends evidence-based teaching with Montessori principles to meet each child where they are. She believes meaningful relationships are the foundation of meaningful learning.

educator (7-10 Age Group)

McKenna Harris

With a master’s degree in education and 10 years of teaching experience, McKenna approaches teaching as an art form, grounded in mindfulness and the belief that connection comes first. Drawing on the heart of Waldorf Education, trauma-informed practice, and Responsive Classroom, she creates learning spaces where children feel safe, seen, and free to grow and brings each lesson to life in many ways, through movement, art, story, imagery, and hands-on exploration. Her work has been shaped by years of traveling, observing, and learning alongside children and families around the world, and it has taught her that every child deserves to be met as a whole person.

To lead a new era of education by building a community where children are seen, supported, and honored for their unique brilliance.

OUR VISION