A NEW ERA

A NEW APPROACH

The ROSA EDUCATION TEAM

NO NEED TO CONFORM…

WE CAN ADAPT

JASON HELM

jhelm@rocchs.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Approach: Transformational Leadership

Holding a BA in French from the University of Minnesota and an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, Jason has devoted his career to empowering young adults. Whether it was in the role of Student Activities Coordinator at SLC, the Sarah Lawrence Housing Coordinator for Summer Programs, or the Alumni Affairs Coordinator for the Pratt Writing Department, he has advocated for inclusion & representation, championed student voices & artwork, and galvanized a connective culture that adapted to individual needs and celebrated uniqueness. As a Studio Writing Professor at Pratt Institute, he dedicated his classroom, for over a decade, to recognizing potential and inspiring growth. In 2019, when he donned the ELA Teacher post at ROSA, he was enamored with the students and invigorated by the challenge. Suffused with a new sense of purpose, he began to research and design a holistic approach and curriculum. Jason is honored to be the RP Director and committed to a vision of transforming the school experience and helping every student unleash their innovative potential.

I empower young adults to reclaim authorship of their lives. By understanding their personal story, students connect to universal stories; in honing their unique voice, they learn to appreciate other voices and perspectives.

(Coming Soon)

Liv Dow

ldow@rocchs.org

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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(Coming Soon)

ADAM LOPOUR

alopour@rocchs.org

SOCIAL STUDIES

Approach: Historiographical

Adam’s educator journey began at 10 years old when, as “Mr. DuPLay”, he tutored his younger sister in math & reading. An empathic diplomat, he grew up believing he could, and WOULD, make a difference in people’s lives. Having secured an Associate’s in Psych, he found a formation, the Broad Field Social Studies Teaching Program at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, that fully nourished his passion for realizing methodological theory in applied practice. Adam taught social studies in PA before finding ROSA in 2021. A self-identified “total nerd”, he is also a singer and pirate. He and his wife, Madeline, live in Rochester with their kitty, Susu.

I employ a historiographical approach to the analysis of structures and hegemony. Through experiential, project-based, and text-driven lessons, students deconstruct history, social dynamics, identity formation, and community construction.

BLAIR LARSON

blarson@rocchs.org

SCIENCE

Approach: Experiential & Project-Based

Having earned a BA in Natural Resource Management at UW Stevens Point, Blair worked for the US Forest Service, the NTL Park Service, and both the MN and WI Departments of Natural Resources. He went on to become a Wildland Firefighter, a Law Enforcement Ranger, and a Naturalist, traveling through nearly every state and living in the CA Redwoods, Big Cypress Swamp in FL, and the mountains and plains of MO. Soon after securing a second degree in Life Science Teaching, he found ROC (now ROSA), and “all the pieces came together.” This marks Blair’s 24th year of teaching at a place he calls “home”. Blair lives in Rochester with his wife, Jodi, and two children, Ayla and Gavin. He incorporates the following recreational passions into his classes: photography, hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, biking, running, sprint triathlons, gardening, wild foods, and traveling.