About Emma About Jenny Rao • Ms. Rao joins Emma Willard School from Garrison Forest School, where she held the positions of Director of Academic Affairs (2015-present), Middle School Head (2011-2015), and Middle School Dean of Students (2005-2011). • She holds her B.A. in Economics and minor in French from Bates College, and her M.A. in Private School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center Teachers College at Columbia University.
• At Garrison, Ms. Rao led the reaccreditation process and was actively involved with the Board of Trustees. • Ms. Rao currently teaches Spanish at Garrison, where she has also taught English and Geography. She also taught Spanish at Fessenden School. • She first found her love of teaching while teaching classical ballet in Mexico. • Born in Mexico City to a Mexican mother and British-American father, Ms. Rao translated her teachers’ recommendations for her college applications into English. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges in pursuit of her goals. • Ms. Rao is known amongst her colleagues as being a natural leader and while they often describe her as a “community builder,” they are quick to add that she is also a “community strengthener.” • Ms. Rao is married to Arjun Rao with whom she has two sons. The Rao family enjoys visiting their extended families in both Mexico and India.
On May 8, 1814 in Middlebury, Vermont, Emma Hart Willard opened the doors to what would become the oldest non-denominational boarding school for girls in the country. Emma Hart Willard, who was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame for her efforts in support of women’s education, had the controversial belief that girls deserved an education of the same quality as their brothers. It was her life’s work to make possible quality education for girls. In the two hundred years since, Emma Willard School has proudly fostered in each young woman a love of learning, the habits of an intellectual life, and the character, moral strength, and qualities of leadership to serve and shape her world. The school currently has over 8,000 successful alumnae all over the world.
285 Pawling Avenue Troy, New York 12180 emmawillard.org
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FROM THE MOMENT I STEPPED ON CAMPUS,
the warmth and spark of Emma was palpable.
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• After college, Ms. Rao spent three years in the finance sector at Cambridge Associates, Boston.