Marianne Jenkins

Rowland Hall fourth-grade teacher Marianne Jenkins, pictured above in banner photo, always wanted to be a teacher, but during her undergraduate years at the University of Utah, her passion for science and math sidetracked her interest in education. A science-based program through the American College of Sports Medicine offered accreditation as a personal trainer, which led her to a career as clinic administrator for two of the area’s most respected orthopedic clinics—first at Rosenberg Cooley Metcalf Clinic in Park City and later at the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Murray.

One day on her way to work, Marianne was listening to an NPR story about the need for quality school teachers. “By the time I reached the clinic, I had decided to change careers,” she said.

Marianne and her husband, Chip, moved back to Connecticut—Chip’s home turf. She first taught in a shoreline town in Connecticut, then at a school in New Haven serving the underprivileged. After returning to Utah five years ago, she taught fifth grade at Canyon Rim Academy before finding her “dream job” at Rowland Hall last April.

“Rowland Hall values excellence, which is one reason I have always admired this school,” Marianne said. “I feel fortunate and blessed to find myself at Rowland Hall. My mentors, fellow fourth-grade teachers Erika McCarthy and Rebecca Filion, have been terrific in guiding me.”

Marianne’s husband composes music for television commercials. One of his best-known commercials is Apple’s “Think Different” spot, which won him an Emmy. He’s also the lead guitarist in a Grateful Dead cover band, Mokie. As if being married to a rock ’n’ roller wasn’t enough, Marianne has three grown children and 10 grandchildren, all living in Utah.

“Since I’m doing what I love and am passionate about, it’s a natural path to aim for increased competence and proficiency,” Ms. Jenkins said. “I am so proud to be a Rowland Hall teacher; I couldn’t wait to put my Rowland Hall sticker and license plate on my car.”

Gail Rose

New 2PreK and 3PreK Lead Teacher Gail Rose brings with her over 25 years of experience working with young children in a National Association for the Education of Young Children-accredited program in historic Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. She has a graduate degree in education from Bank Street College of Education, where she learned the value of an exploratory, developmentally appropriate approach to learning. She furthered her study of how young children learn at the school of Reggio Emilia in Italy.

Ms. Rose and her husband, Larry, an attorney who maintains a practice in New York, had been dreaming of moving to Park City for years. The missing piece was finding a school to continue her journey as an early childhood educator. Last February when she visited the Beginning School at Rowland Hall for the first time, she knew the fit was right.

“My strong belief in embracing the many ways children express themselves and construct knowledge meshes perfectly with Rowland Hall’s philosophy,” Ms. Rose said.

Ms. Rose is an active outdoorswoman, and looks forward to sharing her love for both the mountains and the city with Rowland Hall’s community of learners. She believes that around every corner, something is waiting to be discovered.

Trina Empey

Rowland Hall welcomes Student Accounts Manager Trina Empey to the bustling Business Office. Originally from San Diego, California, Trina is proud of her upbringing in a military home that she said “fostered integrity, honesty, and self-reliance.”

She has worked in the accounting field since 1997 in manufacturing, media, and nonprofit industries; her favorite job (second to Rowland Hall) was with Frito Lay, where she worked from 1996 to 2007.

Outside of work, Trina enjoys spending time with her husband, Brad, a retired law enforcement officer, and her two grown children—a daughter with a family of her own living in Lehi and a son attending college in Utah. A sports enthusiast, Trina says she doesn’t play softball anymore due to injuries, but she and her family are definitely Dodgers fans.

“Since becoming a Rowland Hall staff member I have enjoyed the immense support, camaraderie and positive environment,” Trina said. “I am proud to work with a team of people who genuinely care about our students.”

People