Rose Steeber Honored with 2017 Faculty Excellence Award

Nominated by her peers, Rose is frequently recognized for the diverse ways she positively impacts the school community. As the leader of Laguna’s Academic Services Program, students with learning differences have benefited from her advice and advocacy. According to Head of Upper School Lolli Lucas, “Rose is constantly educating our community on how to best nurture our students, while also holding them accountable, allowing for growth.” Over the last few years, Rose has taken an active role in Challenge Success, an organization that provides schools and families with information and strategies to create a more balanced and academically fulfilling life for their kids. Rose works closely with teams of educators, parents, and students to identify problems and implement best practices and policies in areas such as curriculum, assessment, homework, school schedules, and a healthy school climate. She has coordinated several parent educational evenings to discuss the effects of technology on the adolescent brain, as well as myths about the college application process. On another occasion, she hosted a forum along with colleague Kathy Piller, for students to explain to adults the stress they experience in school.

As a Latin teacher, Rose creates a learning environment that generates excitement for the subject matter. Her students know that she can be tough, as she holds them to a strong work ethic. Always at the heart of her work, however, is the desire to watch her students evolve as successful scholars. After students endured a grueling, fast paced AP Latin curriculum this year, Rose assigned a lighter assignment—to translate the timeless children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are from English to Latin. To celebrate their successes, Rose made a pancake breakfast for the students while they read the tale in Latin to younger Latin students.

“Rose embodies Laguna’s core values of Scholarship, Character, Balance, and Community,” explains English Instructor Carol Nordgaarden. “She often puts others before herself, and as a result of her contributions, Laguna is a better place to be.”

A member of Laguna’s faculty since 2010, Rose is a thirty year veteran teacher with a rich and varied career in education. A born and bred New Yorker, she earned a Bachelor’s and a Master's in Classics and a second Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center. Prior to Laguna, Rose’s educational experiences included: instituting Latin programs and teaching classes in conflict resolution, English, and history. Always looking for ways to connect with her students, she also advised her school’s Culinary Club and coached the Speech and Debate team, leading her students to win three Ohio State Championships and another team to win the national title at the National Forensic League competition.

The Laguna Blanca School Faculty Excellence Award recognizes recipients for their demonstrated excellence in teaching and their dedication to the school and its students. Thanks to an endowment from alumni parents Steven and Marilyn Gutsche, award recipients receive a cash award and a $3,000 stipend for travel, workshops, equipment, and teaching materials.

Deeply honored by the recognition, Rose shares, “Every day, I am so very grateful that Laguna has given me the chance to perform such varied roles. Each day flies by and ends with a huge sense of fulfillment.”

Thank you, Rose, for your exceptional service and for helping students to face and overcome challenges, while striving to be their personal best.