HGSE alumni work amazing jobs across the world. We asked alumni that are over ten years out to share about their positions and post-HGSE perspectives. Jennie Rosenbaum was in the School Leadership program and graduated in 2009.
What is your current role/responsibilities?
I work in the field of Social and Emotional Learning. As part of the EduCare Foundation, I’m placed at the Social Justice Humanitas Academy as the ACE Initiative Site Administrator, so I’m basically an SEL administrator. ACE creates a healthy and positive school culture that promotes student achievement and prepares them to succeed in college, career, and life. Some work with students, some with parents, and others train educators. ACE supports all three to create a school environment that meets the social and emotional development needs of students – including feelings of belonging, safety, and community. ACE creates exceptional school conditions for success across the domains of young people’s lives. In our current charged socio-political climate, safe havens, positive connections between youth and adults, and nurturing environments are needed now more than ever.
How did HGSE prepare you for the position?
HGSE prepared me to own my leadership and my positionality. Since HGSE, I have been in positions of non-authority, finding ways to amplify and elevate the strengths of the communities, youth, educators, and families I’ve worked with even though I haven’t been the formal authority or the person on stage. HGSE prepared me to leverage my non-authority to work towards stronger relationships and towards change. HGSE prepared me to find and leverage support networks when the work got and gets tough, too.
What is your favorite HGSE memory?
My favorite HGSE memory is sitting in Kay Merseth’s office and feeling understood. I struggled in Kay’s class, and everyone seemed to LOVE the class. I was just super frustrated and unhappy. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the content, but I was having trouble engaging in the way the class was run so I reached out for help. Kay asked me about myself and at some point in telling my story, she said “I get it, I know how to engage you know.” And it worked. I felt so understood and it helped me move forward in being myself as a student at HGSE.
What is your advice to prospective students?
Create the community and experiences you want while you’re at HGSE. It’s only one year. You don’t have to worry about carrying any torches or traditions of people who came before you, you don’t have to worry about next year’s class either. Just be you, be present, and love.
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