Welcome, Grandparents!

Mary Lawlor, sixth-grade English teacher, is retiring after 27 years at Rowland Hall. Mary’s boundless energy, contagious laugh, and unwavering support of students and colleagues can’t be beat. She’s a go-getter, rallying everyone on the team in support of kids and learning. Be it skiing down staircases, cartwheeling down aisles, or nerd-altering with kids, this Middle School wonder brings joy to all. We’ll miss you, Mary.

Mary Jo Marker, eighth-grade American studies teacher, is retiring after 27 years at Rowland Hall, where she’s served not only as a Middle School teacher but also as an Upper School teacher and Middle School administrator. Hardworking, supportive, and caring, MJ is a superhero to students and adults alike, constantly learning, trying new ideas, and making those around her better. She will be greatly missed.

Pam Stone, administrative assistant to the athletic director, is leaving Rowland Hall after 26 years. Pam’s relationship with the school began in 1985, as a parent and volunteer, and she became a substitute for all divisions in 1999. Pam has also served as library assistant, not to mention a gracious host to 13 foreign and Rowmark students. We will miss her.

Sofia Gorder, Lincoln Street Campus director of arts (pictured top), is leaving Rowland Hall after 20 years. With unflagging energy, creativity, and a collaborative, student-centered spirit, Sofia inspires dancers to find what they care about and run with it, while stretching themselves as artists. In addition to building a top-notch dance program, Sofia led or collaborated on countless programs, such as Dinner & Dialogue, Beloved Community, and the Pride Parade, and introduced students to communities in Navajo Nation and Nayarit, Mexico. We will miss her tremendously.

Dave Sidlow, second-grade teacher, is onto new adventures after 17 years at Rowland Hall. Dave has been an impactful teacher, and his warmth, goofiness, and profound love for students, just as they are, has been what hundreds of kids have needed over the years. Dave builds strong classroom communities and trusting relationships with families, and, as a colleague, is quick with a joke and a wry smile, or a pat on the back and a story on a tough day. We'll miss you, Dave.

Abby Bacon, Lower School Spanish teacher, is moving on to new opportunities after 15 years at Rowland Hall. Hardworking, creative, and deeply curious, Abby has contributed mightily in her time in the Lower School, including by leading the Caring Committee and JEDI Committee, assisting with Rowland Hall’s reaccreditation process, and acting as a Critical Friend, organizer of fitness and learning, and passionate advocate for Spanish and evidence-based language instruction. She will be missed.

Kirsten Hepburn, McCarthey Campus afternoon receptionist, is leaving her role after 14 years. Kirsten has made significant contributions to Rowland Hall during her time at the school, developing strong relationships with families, faculty, and staff. We will miss seeing her at the front desk, but are delighted that she will still be involved as a school photographer next year.

Troy Price, Rowmark Junior program director, is departing Rowland Hall to become the first executive director of the Snowbasin Sports Education Foundation. For the past 13 years, the Rowmark Junior Program flourished under Troy’s leadership and we are grateful for all he’s done. We wish Troy well as he returns to Snowbasin, where he grew up skiing and where he was the alpine program director before joining Rowmark in 2010.

Bill Shann, Middle School Spanish teacher, is off to new adventures after 13 years at Rowland Hall. During his time at the school, Bill has shown unwavering support and dedication to students and colleagues, sharing his love of the Spanish language as well as working with students on study skills and academic support. Bill has organized countless backcountry ski trips, participated in numerous committees, and has been a longstanding ombudsperson. He will be missed.

Coreen Gililland, Lower School Spanish teacher, is leaving the school after teaching Spanish to first and second graders for 12 years. Coreen is a delight, bringing to the classroom a warmth and compassion that is uniquely hers. As a colleague, Coreen is flexible, kind, and supportive, and offers a wealth of deep knowledge about children and second-language teaching and learning. We'll miss her.

Camilla Rosenberger, 3PreK assistant teacher, is stepping back from her role to spend time with her family after 11 years at Rowland Hall. Camilla’s excellent sense of humor, delight in very young children, patient coaching of nervous parents and caregivers, and collegial spirit will be missed. Though Camilla is leaving her full-time teaching role, she will remain on the Beginning School team as a substitute, and we look forward to welcoming her back in that capacity.

Katie Williams, first-grade teacher, is returning to her homeland of Australia after 11 years at Rowland Hall. Katie is a beloved and skillful teacher, a sage advisor to parents and caregivers, and a trusted colleague who has welcomed many new team members as a mentor teacher in the Beginning School. We're delighted that she'll be reunited with her family and that her children will be able to spend time with cousins, but we'll miss her dearly.

Mary Burnett, admission and college counseling associate, is departing Rowland Hall for an exciting opportunity as an admissions counselor (as well as a graduate student) at the University of Utah. Mary has been an integral part of the Rowland Hall team, splitting her time between admissions and college counseling while also working as an Upper School advisor this year. Her deep love of Rowland Hall students is deeply valued and she will be greatly missed.

Gwen Fonarow, chief financial officer, is leaving Rowland Hall after eight years. During her tenure, Gwen significantly improved our financial position by strengthening controls and streamlining financial processes, and her leadership has been a driving force behind our strong balance sheet, putting us in an excellent position to build a state-of-the-art facility on the Richard R. Steiner Campus. Additionally, Gwen served as the school's chief operating officer, playing a crucial role in risk management, identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them, and enhancing our reputation and financial stability. In all areas of her work, Gwen prioritized relationships and significantly contributed to a positive workplace culture. We are grateful for the many ways she positively impacted Rowland Hall and wish her the best.

Brian Morgan, Rowmark Ski Academy head men’s and women's FIS coach, departed the school in August to join the coaching staff of the US Ski Team. During Brian's eight years with Rowmark—first as a U16 coach, then as head FIS coach—he was a consummate professional, a highly skilled coach, and a kind and thoughtful mentor of developing athletes. The US Ski Team is lucky to have him, and he is greatly missed.

Hilary Amoss ’96, director of alumni relations, left Rowland Hall in October after 10 years in the Advancement Department, where she also served as a development associate, supported the capital campaign, and acted as Auction director, organizing three successful Auctions that raised critical funds for the school. Hilary also engaged countless alumni and grew the Alumni Scholarship Fund to support three students. We’re grateful for her service and miss her.

Shawna Love, McCarthey Campus morning receptionist, is leaving her role after nine years. We will miss her welcoming presence and smile every morning, as well as her willingness to assist in various areas of the school, including recess monitoring and substituting. We thank Shawna for her hard work and dedication and wish her all the best as she embarks on new opportunities.

Campbell Ainsworth, Middle School Spanish and French teacher, is leaving Rowland Hall after seven years. Campbell’s enthusiasm and positivity are contagious—mix in his love of language and culture, his sense of adventure and humor, and his dedication and work ethic as it relates to his craft, and Casablanca American School in Morocco hit a grandslam hiring Campbell and his wife, Juliette. While we’re sad to see him go, we are grateful for all Campbell has done to move our world language program forward.

Gail Rose, 3PreK lead teacher, is retiring after six years at Rowland Hall and more than 35 years in early childhood education. The recipient of the 2021–2022 Sumner/Larsen Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award for the Beginning School, Gail is a beacon of positivity, curiosity, and earnest respect for young children and Rowland Hall. She inspires wonder in all those around her, and her enthusiasm for learning and play is equally contagious among young children and adults. We wish her well in her next adventure and are grateful for her time with us.

Kelley Journey, experiential learning specialist, is leaving the school after five years to return to the East Coast. In addition to her most recent role, Kelley has worked as an enrichment teacher and as a lead kindergarten teacher. In whatever role she held, she was a buoy to her team—through ups, downs, and everything in between. We'll miss her helping hands, creative thinking, words of encouragement, and unwavering support of both children and faculty.

Bernard Geoxavier, Upper School assistant principal, is leaving Rowland Hall after four years to take an all-school administrative position at Avenues The World School in Shenzhen, China. During his time at Rowland Hall, Bernard gracefully and expertly juggled the daily trials and tribulations of school life while patiently and inclusively developing impactful programming and policies. Bernard values building relationships with empathy, enthusiasm, and humor. We will miss him, but we are thrilled for this opportunity for him to grow as a leader and to be closer to family.

Anna Wolfe, seventh-grade science teacher, is moving on to new adventures after four years at Rowland Hall. A passionate science teacher, Anna cares immensely about kids and is always full of energy, positivity, and cheer. During her time at Rowland Hall, Anna stepped in to serve on numerous committees, coached multiple sports, and was a phenomenal Student Council advisor. Her presence will be missed and we wish her the absolute best.

Eric Schmitz, Beginning School and Lower School assistant principal, left Rowland Hall in November 2022 after two and a half years at the school. Prior to serving in the assistant principal role, Eric was a fourth-grade teacher, supporting the Lower School team as they navigated the highly unusual 2020–2021 school year, and a second-grade teacher. We are grateful for Eric’s many contributions to our school community and wish him the best.

Lauren Augusta, 4PreK lead teacher, is moving to France for an exciting professional opportunity for her husband. Lauren joined the Rowland Hall community two years ago, and we've been grateful to get to know her as a thoughtful and experienced educator on the 4PreK team in the Beginning School. While we will miss her, we are looking forward to following along with her family’s adventures abroad in the years to come.

Colleen Thompson, fifth-grade teacher, has decided to step away from teaching after two years at Rowland Hall (and 17 consecutive years in the classroom). We have appreciated Colleen's good cheer, skillful teaching, team spirit, and thoughtfulness about elementary-aged kids and their families, and wish her the best in her next adventure.

Marlee Brown, advancement services manager, is leaving Rowland Hall to move to Portland, Oregon, with her partner, who is starting a fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University. Marlee joined the advancement team last summer, and in her short time at the school she has made a big impact on the advancement program, playing a critical role in the capital campaign and Auction. Marlee's attention to detail, easy-going attitude, and willingness to jump in will be greatly missed.

Jordan Capps, 4PreK assistant teacher, is moving back East this summer to be closer to family. Jordan joined the 4PreK team this fall, jumping into the job with both feet. We're grateful for her hard work and skill as we've made our way through the school year, and we will miss her and her family next year.

Nico Napolski, Lower School science specialist, is leaving the Lower School to better meet the needs of her family. Our thanks to Nico for all she has done for our students and for her colleagues. We wish her, baby Weston, and her family well.

Jon Poll, Middle School computer science teacher, left Rowland Hall in late March to take a position as software engineer at the Utah State Board of Education. In the few short months Jon was with us, he made a positive impact on our growing computer science program, especially in the areas of robotics and design, and built strong relationships with students and colleagues alike. His easy-going nature, willingness to jump in, and overall positivity is greatly missed.

Cassie Ford, payroll/benefits specialist, left the school in January after seven months at the school. We are grateful for Cassie's contributions and friendship, and wish her personal and professional success.

People

Every year, the Board of Trustees and school community thank and bid farewell to the dedicated board volunteers who have worked hard for many years on behalf of the school. This year, we say goodbye to five trustees who provided exemplary service to Rowland Hall. Our sincerest thanks to them for their contributions.

Jay Bartlett served two terms on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023. Jay was involved with the Finance Committee as well as the Investment Committee, which he chaired from 2018 to 2021, and again from 2022 to 2023. Jay provided a holistic approach to the school’s investment strategy, with an eye on maximizing returns and ensuring that investments were made appropriately. We thank him for his service to the school and board.

Heather Ciriello served on the Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2023 as the McCarthey Campus Home & School representative, advocating for students and families. She also chaired the Annual Fund for two years, surpassing the fundraising goal and championing parent participation. During her time on the board, Heather served on the Inclusion, Equity, and Outreach Committee and the Development Committee. We wish Heather well and thank her for her dedication to the board and school.

Kitty Friedman ’91 served two terms on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023. During her time as a trustee, Kitty was a valued member of the Development Committee, where she generously shared her wealth of knowledge about fundraising and engagement, and the Inclusion, Equity, and Outreach Committee. Kitty is a tireless advocate for students and families, and she always spoke up for those with learning differences. We wish her well and thank her for her service and contributions to the school.

Bishop Scott Hayashi served four terms on the Board of Trustees between 2010 and 2022, and was a member of the Education Committee and the Inclusion, Equity, and Outreach Committee. We are grateful to Bishop Hayashi for his thoughtful, impactful, and lengthy service to the board and school, and especially for his instrumental work in clarifying the role between the Episcopal Church and Rowland Hall. We wish Bishop Hayashi well and thank him for his dedication to the board and school.

Laura Snow Prosper served on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023. She was on the Finance Committee and the Head Support and Evaluation Committee. Laura also served as co-chair of the search committee to hire a new head of school, dedicating countless hours to an inclusive hiring process that resulted in the hiring of Mick Gee. We thank her for her service and contributions, and we know she will continue to support Rowland Hall's mission for many years to come.

People

By Dr. Chandani Patel, Director of Equity and Inclusion

My second year in the inaugural director of equity and inclusion role was an opportunity to build capacity across the school so that more individuals share the responsibility for advancing an equitable and inclusive school community. One key addition this year was the Divisional Equity and Inclusion Coordinators program, through which one faculty member in each division coordinated learning and action centered on equity and inclusion. These coordinators now help make up the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which brings together key partners across the school to collaborate on equity and inclusion initiatives, including the committees listed below. This year in review highlights programs and initiatives we led this year to cultivate a community where each member thrives. 

This year in review highlights programs and initiatives we led this year to cultivate a community where each member thrives.

We want to thank the students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and parents/caregivers who have contributed to this work this year. We look forward to working with many more of you in the years to come.

New Faculty Support for 2022–2023

During the 2022–2023 school year, divisional equity and inclusion coordinators collaborated with and provided support to faculty colleagues to advance equity and inclusion in classrooms and divisions. Coordinators worked closely with Dr. Patel and division principals to identify key needs, design resources, and facilitate learning opportunities. The coordinators were Quincy Jackson (Beginning School), Abigail Bacon (Lower School), Susan Phillips (Middle School), and Dr. Kate Taylor (Upper School).

We also hosted a national Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity seminar, led by fifth-grade teacher Jen Bourque, where participants considered how they can use their classrooms, communities, or workplaces to create a more equitable environment for all.

2022–2023 DEI Committees and Affinity Groups

• JEDI Committee: This faculty and staff committee focused on four main areas this year: community education, inclusive and accessible practices, curriculum, and making our core values actionable.
• Student JEDI leaders: This group of Upper School students developed and facilitated learning opportunities for peers, including on topics like microaggressions and recognizing and respecting differences.
• Affinity groups: Affinity groups—spaces that bring together people with common identifiers or life experiences—in the lower, middle, and upper schools built relationships and engaged in shared learning (see list of groups below). A faculty and staff BIPOC affinity group, for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, gathered to recognize cultural heritage months and build community. The White Antiracist Educators group met to discuss key readings related to equity and inclusion and ways to activate allyship.
• Inclusion, Outreach, and Equity (IEO) Committee: This committee of board members and administrators worked to identify and support strategic alignment centered on Rowland Hall’s priority to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the school community.

Student Affinity Groups

Sixteen affinity groups supported lower, middle, and upper schoolers this year:

• Banana Splits, Lower School*
• Kids of Color, Lower School*
• Rainbow Club, Lower School*
• Neurodivergent and Allies Affinity Group, Middle School*
• Sexuality and Gender Alliance, Middle School
• Students of Color, Middle School*
• Asian Affinity Group, Upper School
• Black Student Union, Upper School*
• Girls of Color, Upper School
• Infinity: Neurodivergent and Allies Affinity Group, Upper School*
• Jewish Affinity Group, Upper School
• Latine Affinity Group, Upper School
• Multiracial Affinity Group, Upper School*
• Muslim Affinity Group, Upper School
• Pagan Affinity Group, Upper School*
• Queer Straight Alliance, Upper School

*New in 2022–2023

Affinity groups in the Lower School are requested by families, led by faculty mentors, and provide space to build community and support. Affinity groups in the middle and upper schools are requested by students and are student-led in terms of topics and activities. Those interested in forming affinity groups should speak to their principal (Ingrid Gustavson, Upper School, or Pam Smith, Middle School) or Dr. Patel.

2022–2023 Programming

• MLK Week 2023: Afrofuturism: Building a Beloved Future: This year’s MLK week theme, Afrofuturism, invited us to imagine more inclusive futures and featured two prominent guest speakers: New York Times bestselling author Rio Cortez and youth climate activist Aniya Butler. Rio Cortez’s community poetry reading, “Afrofuturism, Frontiers, and Pioneers,” drew over 100 audience members from the broader community. The daylong student program featured dance, poetry readings, discussion, and artifact creation, all centered on building a future in which all individuals are celebrated.
• The Future of STEM: A Symposium With Local Innovators: This inaugural program was designed to offer our middle and upper school students an opportunity to learn from innovators in STEM about the state of their fields and about their journeys to their current roles. The program was also a recognition of Women’s History Month, highlighting prominent women leaders in STEM and providing allies with some tools to support underrepresented folks in STEM.
• Pride Parade 2023: More than 100 participants from the Rowland Hall community marched in the Utah Pride Parade this year. The group was led by student members of the Upper School’s Queer Straight Alliance and Middle School’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance. 

Community Education

Deliberate Dialogue Series

• Practice the Unpracticed: A Deliberate Dialogue On Racism (November) was an opportunity for the community to practice unpracticed conversations together around topics of race and racism.
• Making the Invisible Visible: A Deliberate Dialogue on Neurodiversity (March) was a forum for the community to learn about neurodiversity and how it impacts all types of learners, including the challenges and opportunities they encounter in educational settings.
• Celebrating Our Stories: A Deliberate Dialogue on Storytelling (May) allowed participants to explore how different ways of storytelling can help us connect to others' stories as windows or mirrors to our own experiences.

​Have You Been Wondering About… Resource Series

• The Office of Equity and Inclusion continued our series Have You Been Wondering About… as resources to help deepen learning in our community. This year’s topics were “How Racism Affects All of Us,” “Neurodiversity,” and “How to Be an Upstander.”

Banner photo: Aniya Butler and Rio Cortez join Dr. Chandani Patel for Rowland Hall's Afrofuturism event in January 2023.

DEI

Can art save the Great Salt Lake?

It’s a question that students have been asking all year at Rowland Hall through dance, visual arts, and other mediums. In May, the question was laid out in black and white with the production of The Great Salt Film, a one-act play commissioned by theatre teacher Matt Sincell and Upper School students that examines the issues of the lake, and how, or even if, the artistic pursuits of teenagers could have an impact on a looming environmental crisis.

I wanted to empower them to have a voice in the creative process ... to see how art can impact people.—Matt Sincell, theatre teacher

“The play centers on a group of teenagers in a short-film competition to bring awareness to saving the Great Salt Lake,” said Matt. “We start to understand what their frustrations are with feeling powerless, and being asked to solve these problems but feeling like they have no voice and no vote.”

These are feelings the young actors in the play related to and were able to work through by helping create a new piece of art. Playwright Rachel Bublitz brought drafts of the play to the students and allowed them to contribute to not only the semantics of the work, but also to its overall structure and theme. “I wanted to empower them to have a voice in the creative process,” said Matt. “This was a way for them to see how art can impact people.”

The impact is already being felt in small ways. More than $500 was raised through the world premiere of the play, all of which went to FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake. This may not seem like much, but that is a key message of the play: every bit matters. The character of Truth, played by ninth grader Anaïs Bray, makes that point by emptying one bucket of water at a time into the dying lake. “It’s all about the small steps,” she said. “Truth’s mindset is: ‘It’s the best I can do and I need to do what I can do.’”

The bigger impact will be putting the play out into the world. Now that it has premiered at Rowland Hall, it is eligible for publication and subsequent production at schools and theaters all over the world. People who have never even heard of the Great Salt Lake will be able to learn more about its shrinking, and the environmental impact. They will also learn the names of the first cast to perform the play, as they will be printed on every future edition. “It’s fun to know that I’m the first person to do this role,” said ninth grader Henry Olsen.

The message is one of hope.—Owen Thomas, class of 2023

The impact is also through the students who participated in the creation of the play and its first production. They now possess a sense of agency to pick up and examine complex dilemmas and not shy away from them, no matter how insurmountable they seem. After all, there is a lake to save.

“I think the message is one of hope,” said twelfth grader Owen Thomas. “This isn’t a battle we’ve lost yet, but we still have a long way to go.”

Theatre