For many high school students, the name “Dr. Rottura” may not ring a bell. However, to current Third Formers, as well as the middle school, Dr. Rottura has made a deeply influential impact on everyone she worked with over her three years of teaching.
“Dr. Rottura was really kind. If there were any problems I had, I could always go to her for issues or problems that arose,” Third Former Benjamin Qu said. “In history class, she was informative and was very resourceful.”
Before working at Haverford, Dr. Rottura worked in financial planning. To her, making an impact on someone’s life was genuinely important.
“I did state and financial planning before I had kids. I loved working in that field, being able to help people make the right decision was what I enjoyed doing,” Dr. Rottura said.
Her fluency in helping people translated smoothly to her position as the Dean of Middle School. From working with students, teachers, or other adults, Dr. Rottura has always focused on building strong relationships and helping others grow. Being able to see what specific people need has always been a strong suit for Dr. Rottura.
“It was always about service,” she said. “Helping people understand what works for them, why they might want to consider a certain path—that’s what drew me into education. There’s always more to learn. I believe I’m a lifelong student at heart.”
Her collection of five different degrees, including a J.D. in law and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, reflects her passion for learning.
She stepped in as the Dean of the Middle School when the community was emerging from the effects of the pandemic. Education was getting reshaped by cell-phone policies and the rise of AI.
“I’m certainly going to stay connected with all of the friends that I have made here”
Dr. Amy Rottura
Her focus was clear: to help students rebuild meaningful relationships and to support their academic and social growth.
“After all the distancing from the pandemic, we’ve finally reached a place where we can build [relationships] again,” said Dr. Rottura. “Seeing students reconnect with each other—without their phones—has been one of the best parts.”
Additionally, working with the middle school faculty, she worked to implement the cell-phone policy, not because she wants to deprive students of their devices, but so the students don’t deprive themselves of forming long-lasting relationships.
“It all comes back to relationships,” she said. “That’s where real learning and growth happen. My goal with these programs was to bring students together.”
Because of the long commute for Dr. Rottura and her wanting to be closer to her family, Dr. Rottura has decided to bid farewell to Haverford at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
“I wanted to be closer to my home in Delaware, it’s over an hour-long drive to get here. Also, I want to spend more time with my kids,” Dr. Rottura said. “Being Dean is one of the most rewarding positions I think I’ve ever had. It has allowed me to connect with families and students and make a positive impact on their lives.”
Before her career in law and investment, Dr. Rottura was a teacher for twelve years at an all-boys Catholic school in Wilmington, Delaware. Comparing the communities from both, Dr. Rottura felt closer to and happier at Haverford.
“While Haverford technically has more people and is a bigger community than my old place in Delaware, I feel the community is closely knit together. I feel more at home here,” Dr. Rottura said.
Moving on to her next chapter in life, which revolves around more family time with her three boys, Dr. Rottura will continue to learn with her passion for education, as well as continuing to help people, but most importantly, staying connected.
“I’m certainly going to stay connected with all of the friends that I have made here,” Dr. Rottura said. “Everyone here that I have worked with was some of the nicest people I’ve met.”
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