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Rowland Hall Middle School in Salt Lake City
Get to Know the Middle School Leadership Team

Rowland Hall is pleased to welcome a new Middle School leadership team for the 2025–2026 school year.

Dr. J Dianne Brederson has joined our community as head of Middle School and Nicole Buck has joined as assistant head of Middle School.

J Dianne—or Dr. J, as students call her—and Nicole look forward to connecting with students and families this year. In the meantime, we asked them to share a bit about their backgrounds and why they came to Rowland Hall so you can start getting to know them.

Read more stories about new arrivals and staffing changes for the upcoming school year:

Dr. J Dianne Brederson, Head of Middle School

J Dianne Brederson, head of Middle School at Rowland Hall

Dr. J Dianne Brederson discovered the magic of authentic learning as a child by attending an elementary “school without walls”—a school that uses the surrounding community and its resources as learning environments. She remembers being encouraged to work at her own pace and to explore her interests and passions, alongside trusted teacher-guides.

“I am so grateful to have had that experience,” said Dr. J. “That, for me, planted the seed: ‘Wow, this is what education can be.’”

Over the years, that seed began to grow and, by her early 20s, to blossom. Fresh out of college, Dr. J decided to volunteer as a Peace Corps teacher in rural Rwanda, and it was there, watching students experience what she calls the excitement of an “aha!” moment, that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in education.

When you see a learner get excited about something, you think, “I’ve done something impactful for this person.”—J Dianne Brederson, head of Middle School

“When you see a learner get excited about something, you think, ‘I’ve done something impactful for this person,’” she shared.

Dr. J has worked to make this kind of impact for more than 35 years, on students of all ages, from preschool through graduate school, at schools in the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. She’s also invested in herself as an educator, earning two master’s degrees (one in teaching foreign languages, the other in educational leadership and administration) and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Throughout her professional journey, Dr. J has stayed true to the authentic, experiential learning that’s inspired her since childhood. “It’s always been a core of who I am and what I do,” she said.

And it played a role in her decision to come to Rowland Hall. While she knew of the school’s stellar academic reputation, Dr. J said she started to think Rowland Hall is the place for her after watching our bold strategic priorities video, which emphasizes a commitment to authentic learning as part of our vision to develop people the world needs. Meeting students, faculty, and staff further convinced her that Rowland Hall was the right choice.

Now that she’s arrived on campus, Dr. J is greatly looking forward to getting to know the community and contributing to the Middle School’s impact on students, especially through authentic learning. Most importantly, she’s excited to support middle schoolers while they journey through such an inquisitive, vulnerable, and exciting period in their learning journeys.

“It’s a great time of life,” she said.

Learn a little more about Dr. J …

What's the most unusual or interesting item in your workspace, and what’s the story?
I have a small Le Petit Prince figurine that one of my students gave me when she graduated from the International School of Prague in 1998. I taught this book in my IB French class and it remains one of my favorites.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and what would you do first?
I’d travel to Tanzania and hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about work or life, what would it be? 
I would tell my younger self to slow down, enjoy each day, seize the precious moments, live in the present, and never miss an opportunity to tell loved ones how much they mean to me.

Nicole Buck, Assistant Head of Middle School

Nicole Buck, assistant head of Middle School at Rowland Hall

Nicole Buck’s career has provided her with plenty of opportunities to teach middle and high school students, but she admits having a soft spot for the middle school years.

“Middle school is really my niche,” said Nicole. “I love middle school. There’s much to learn from the students. They love learning. They’re at this important age where their identities are forming and they’re trying new things, taking risks, and understanding the value of mistakes. I love that. They're so into figuring out who they are.”

I love middle school. There’s much to learn from the students. They love learning. They’re at this important age where their identities are forming and they’re trying new things, taking risks, and understanding the value of mistakes.—Nicole Buck, assistant head of Middle School

Minus a single college semester in which she considered a career in business, Nicole has always wanted to be a teacher. She’s also always loved languages, which is why she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in classics and classical languages, followed by a master of education in secondary education and teaching. This opened the door to the first chapter of Nicole’s career, Latin teacher, a role that helped her really begin to understand herself as an educator, especially when it comes to supporting adolescents.

“One of my strengths is my ability to connect with and really see kids,” she said.

Nicole also understands the importance of creating communities in which students are known and accepted, allowing them to comfortably and safely navigate the opportunities and challenges that are part of this time of life. “Students push boundaries—around rules, what’s possible for them as students, and the world around them—both because they’re in a community that knows them and because they’re comfortable exploring and being a part of their community,” she said.

Almost a decade into her teaching career, Nicole furthered her ability to create safe school communities by earning a second master of education, this time in independent school leadership, from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, a program she said opened her eyes to what leadership is and what leaders do in schools. She quickly became known as a leader with a deep commitment to student and faculty success—and, in the words of those who’ve worked with her, someone who seamlessly blends organization, intelligence, and strategic vision with empathy and humor. It’s a leadership style she’s excited to bring to Rowland Hall, a community she was thrilled to find during a nationwide search for her next professional adventure.

“I didn’t anticipate Utah, but the deeper I got into Rowland Hall’s website, the more the school felt like a great place,” Nicole remembered. She was especially impressed with Rowland Hall’s vision of developing students who impact the world. “I try to do that every day in my classroom,” she said.

It was this alignment with Rowland Hall’s core values, alongside her ability to foster a vibrant, inclusive school culture, that made Nicole stand out in an exceptionally competitive pool. And it wasn’t just the hiring committee that was excited about this addition to the Middle School community—Nicole was also excited to have found a right-fit community where she could make a difference. Since arriving on campus in July, she’s happy to find that connection is just as strong.

“Now that I’m here, it’s confirmed: everyone is warm and everything is student-centered,” said Nicole, who can’t wait to jump into all the learning that awaits here this year, especially when it comes to getting to know all about the middle schoolers who inspire her as an educator.

“I love meeting new students and hearing what makes them happy and brings them joy, whether that’s in or out of the classroom,” she said.

Learn a little more about Nicole…

What's the most unusual or interesting item in your workspace, and what’s the story?
A few years ago, it became known to my students that I am not a wearer of Crocs. Jokingly, I received a pair of platform yellow crocs that only made their appearance during spirit days and quickly became a student favorite. I carry them with me now, not to wear, but as a reminder of the humor of middle schoolers and to remember what keeps me in education—the students and the connections we make with them.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and what would you do first?
I would travel to Italy, specifically the southern tip of the “boot,” to the village where my grandparents were born, Calabria. I’ve been learning Italian for the past couple of years (very slowly), and would love to connect with the spaces that mean so much to my family and try to learn more about my grandparents’ childhood in rural farmland Italy.

If you could swap jobs with anyone else in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
Ideally, this would be for longer than a day, but I would love to experience a snippet of the life of a travel writer. As I already love traveling, being able to travel and experience a place through the lens of education, culture, and history would bring so many of my passions together. It would allow me to incorporate what I love, helping people find their place to make an impact in the world, as well as infuse some of the excitement of seeing new places.

Get to Know the Middle School Leadership Team

Rowland Hall is pleased to welcome a new Middle School leadership team for the 2025–2026 school year.

Dr. J Dianne Brederson has joined our community as head of Middle School and Nicole Buck has joined as assistant head of Middle School.

J Dianne—or Dr. J, as students call her—and Nicole look forward to connecting with students and families this year. In the meantime, we asked them to share a bit about their backgrounds and why they came to Rowland Hall so you can start getting to know them.

Read more stories about new arrivals and staffing changes for the upcoming school year:

Dr. J Dianne Brederson, Head of Middle School

J Dianne Brederson, head of Middle School at Rowland Hall

Dr. J Dianne Brederson discovered the magic of authentic learning as a child by attending an elementary “school without walls”—a school that uses the surrounding community and its resources as learning environments. She remembers being encouraged to work at her own pace and to explore her interests and passions, alongside trusted teacher-guides.

“I am so grateful to have had that experience,” said Dr. J. “That, for me, planted the seed: ‘Wow, this is what education can be.’”

Over the years, that seed began to grow and, by her early 20s, to blossom. Fresh out of college, Dr. J decided to volunteer as a Peace Corps teacher in rural Rwanda, and it was there, watching students experience what she calls the excitement of an “aha!” moment, that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in education.

When you see a learner get excited about something, you think, “I’ve done something impactful for this person.”—J Dianne Brederson, head of Middle School

“When you see a learner get excited about something, you think, ‘I’ve done something impactful for this person,’” she shared.

Dr. J has worked to make this kind of impact for more than 35 years, on students of all ages, from preschool through graduate school, at schools in the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. She’s also invested in herself as an educator, earning two master’s degrees (one in teaching foreign languages, the other in educational leadership and administration) and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Throughout her professional journey, Dr. J has stayed true to the authentic, experiential learning that’s inspired her since childhood. “It’s always been a core of who I am and what I do,” she said.

And it played a role in her decision to come to Rowland Hall. While she knew of the school’s stellar academic reputation, Dr. J said she started to think Rowland Hall is the place for her after watching our bold strategic priorities video, which emphasizes a commitment to authentic learning as part of our vision to develop people the world needs. Meeting students, faculty, and staff further convinced her that Rowland Hall was the right choice.

Now that she’s arrived on campus, Dr. J is greatly looking forward to getting to know the community and contributing to the Middle School’s impact on students, especially through authentic learning. Most importantly, she’s excited to support middle schoolers while they journey through such an inquisitive, vulnerable, and exciting period in their learning journeys.

“It’s a great time of life,” she said.

Learn a little more about Dr. J …

What's the most unusual or interesting item in your workspace, and what’s the story?
I have a small Le Petit Prince figurine that one of my students gave me when she graduated from the International School of Prague in 1998. I taught this book in my IB French class and it remains one of my favorites.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and what would you do first?
I’d travel to Tanzania and hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about work or life, what would it be? 
I would tell my younger self to slow down, enjoy each day, seize the precious moments, live in the present, and never miss an opportunity to tell loved ones how much they mean to me.

Nicole Buck, Assistant Head of Middle School

Nicole Buck, assistant head of Middle School at Rowland Hall

Nicole Buck’s career has provided her with plenty of opportunities to teach middle and high school students, but she admits having a soft spot for the middle school years.

“Middle school is really my niche,” said Nicole. “I love middle school. There’s much to learn from the students. They love learning. They’re at this important age where their identities are forming and they’re trying new things, taking risks, and understanding the value of mistakes. I love that. They're so into figuring out who they are.”

I love middle school. There’s much to learn from the students. They love learning. They’re at this important age where their identities are forming and they’re trying new things, taking risks, and understanding the value of mistakes.—Nicole Buck, assistant head of Middle School

Minus a single college semester in which she considered a career in business, Nicole has always wanted to be a teacher. She’s also always loved languages, which is why she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in classics and classical languages, followed by a master of education in secondary education and teaching. This opened the door to the first chapter of Nicole’s career, Latin teacher, a role that helped her really begin to understand herself as an educator, especially when it comes to supporting adolescents.

“One of my strengths is my ability to connect with and really see kids,” she said.

Nicole also understands the importance of creating communities in which students are known and accepted, allowing them to comfortably and safely navigate the opportunities and challenges that are part of this time of life. “Students push boundaries—around rules, what’s possible for them as students, and the world around them—both because they’re in a community that knows them and because they’re comfortable exploring and being a part of their community,” she said.

Almost a decade into her teaching career, Nicole furthered her ability to create safe school communities by earning a second master of education, this time in independent school leadership, from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, a program she said opened her eyes to what leadership is and what leaders do in schools. She quickly became known as a leader with a deep commitment to student and faculty success—and, in the words of those who’ve worked with her, someone who seamlessly blends organization, intelligence, and strategic vision with empathy and humor. It’s a leadership style she’s excited to bring to Rowland Hall, a community she was thrilled to find during a nationwide search for her next professional adventure.

“I didn’t anticipate Utah, but the deeper I got into Rowland Hall’s website, the more the school felt like a great place,” Nicole remembered. She was especially impressed with Rowland Hall’s vision of developing students who impact the world. “I try to do that every day in my classroom,” she said.

It was this alignment with Rowland Hall’s core values, alongside her ability to foster a vibrant, inclusive school culture, that made Nicole stand out in an exceptionally competitive pool. And it wasn’t just the hiring committee that was excited about this addition to the Middle School community—Nicole was also excited to have found a right-fit community where she could make a difference. Since arriving on campus in July, she’s happy to find that connection is just as strong.

“Now that I’m here, it’s confirmed: everyone is warm and everything is student-centered,” said Nicole, who can’t wait to jump into all the learning that awaits here this year, especially when it comes to getting to know all about the middle schoolers who inspire her as an educator.

“I love meeting new students and hearing what makes them happy and brings them joy, whether that’s in or out of the classroom,” she said.

Learn a little more about Nicole…

What's the most unusual or interesting item in your workspace, and what’s the story?
A few years ago, it became known to my students that I am not a wearer of Crocs. Jokingly, I received a pair of platform yellow crocs that only made their appearance during spirit days and quickly became a student favorite. I carry them with me now, not to wear, but as a reminder of the humor of middle schoolers and to remember what keeps me in education—the students and the connections we make with them.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and what would you do first?
I would travel to Italy, specifically the southern tip of the “boot,” to the village where my grandparents were born, Calabria. I’ve been learning Italian for the past couple of years (very slowly), and would love to connect with the spaces that mean so much to my family and try to learn more about my grandparents’ childhood in rural farmland Italy.

If you could swap jobs with anyone else in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
Ideally, this would be for longer than a day, but I would love to experience a snippet of the life of a travel writer. As I already love traveling, being able to travel and experience a place through the lens of education, culture, and history would bring so many of my passions together. It would allow me to incorporate what I love, helping people find their place to make an impact in the world, as well as infuse some of the excitement of seeing new places.

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