For the past 31 years, Jennifer Rosebrook has given her all to Arcata High. Rosebrook graduated from Arcata High in 1989, where she enjoyed her history and psychology classes. She attended Humboldt State University and originally planned to pursue a major in fisheries. Raising salmon in her science classes and fly fishing with her family drew her to science. She also described one of the barriers when wanting to enter science as a woman. “My academic counselor said to me, ‘Gee don’t you think it would be more useful if you took home ec.?’ and I took it as a challenge to do something like fisheries.” She then moved her major to social science at HSU and majored in History at Arizona State. During her time here, Rosebrook has taught AP U.S. History, U.S. History, and Psychology. Rosebrook has also served as the advisor to the Women’s Advocacy club. She reminisced about scenes in the classroom both inspiring and vivid. “One year, three of my students got into Stanford,” Rosebrook said. “And some kid puked on me while I was wearing open toed shoes.” Mostly though, her favorite times come in the day to day little things.
Rosebrook is known for her sense of humor and storytelling. Even those who don’t pay attention in class will remember her iconic sister’s Christmas gifts story, and the embarrassing secrets of the U.S. Presidents getting stuck in the bathtub or skinny dipping.
Ms. Rosebrook’s colleagues said it best. “She is the most well-organized, fashionable, professional person I’ve ever met. I only hope that I’ve learned a fraction of it from her,” history teacher Jeff Milkie said. His respect for Rosebrook was expressed: “Don’t mess up this article. It’s really important to me.”
History teacher Owen Moore spoke of Rosebrook as a “remarkable woman and a fine human being. The difference [she has] made to thousands of people’s lives is greater than you can imagine.” Over the years, Rosebrook has shown her colleagues that holding yourself and your students to a higher standard can improve lives. Moore explained that Rosebrook has taught him that “excellence begins with your own personal standard. When you hold yourself to that, you’re moving in the right
direction.”
Her advice to students is to relax more, and worry less about all the drama, the part she knows she’ll miss least. “High school is never as important as you think it is. Calm down.”
Rosebrook is far from the only teacher in her family. Her parents were both teachers, and her daughter now teaches History and Psychology.
In the future Rosebrook plans to spend time with family, especially a new grandchild. “I’m excited to eat and pee whenever I want.” 
