By Emily Knepple, Arts and Entertainment Editor

In addition to welcoming a new freshman class of 62 students when school opened this year, the community also added ten new faculty and staff members. The first article of this two-part series will introduce readers to the three new Humanities teachers with a second article in November about the additional new teachers and staff.

History teacher Gabrielle Conlin brings her research, global travel and prior work experience to her ninth grade world history classrooms.

“I chose to come to Trinity Hall because I immediately fell in love with the sisterhood and camaraderie that the school embodies. As the grade 9 history teacher, I hope to share my love of history with the girls and hopefully inspire them to be further historians,” said Conlin, who is also a co-advisor of the freshman class. “The first month has been absolutely extraordinary, and I cannot wait for what the rest of the year has in store!”

(L to R): Gabrielle Conlin, Jennifer Havens and Jennifer Jamer joined the Humanities Team at Trinity Hall this fall. Photo by Alyssa Morreale

A graduate of Red Bank Catholic and Monmouth University, where she earned both her BA and MA, Conlin has dedicated years of research to World War II and the Holocaust, and her work has brought her to Eastern Europe as recently as this month as part of her research for the C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum (see next month’s issue for a feature story on Conlin’s trip). She is also the acting historian for Navesink River Rowing and has worked on projects for numerous historical organizations and archaeological excavations.In addition to her passion for history, Conlin enjoys running and rowing, and is actively involved with the non-profit veteran organization Team Red, White, and Blue. 

Middletown native, veteran history teacher, and mother of four Jennifer Havens also joined the Humanities Team this fall. Havens teaches all of the 11th grade US History classes, at both AP and honors level, as well as a 10th grade AP World History class. She also shares her love of history and current events as advisor of the Political Science Club and co-advisor of Model United Nations.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of the girls over the past month, and I am looking forward to the rest of the year. Everyone has been welcoming, and I feel lucky to be a part of the Trinity Hall community,” said Havens, who previously taught Sayreville War Memorial High School and graduated from Mater Dei Prep and Kean University.

The third new member of the Humanities team is Jennifer Jamer, who teaches 11th and 12th grade theology and 10th grade AP World History, and also serves as advisor for the yearbook. The NJ native graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.A. in history before heading to Fordham University to earn her M.A. in both history and theology; she is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Fordham, working on her dissertation on Christianity in the Byzantine Empire.

“I was incredibly excited by the opportunity to teach theology and history in an all-girls environment,” said Jamer, who also taught courses at Fordham. “I am looking forward to helping students understand their faith better and learn more about history. I’m also enjoying yearbook and can’t wait to see what the students will design to commemorate the first graduating class.”