Rose Huff sits in her cozy office at Gabrielino High School, surrounded by shelves of educational assessments and pictures of her family. A small basket of fidget toys rests on her desk—a simple but effective tool she offers to students during their sessions to ease their mind. As a school psychologist, Huff has dedicated over 26 years to supporting students in navigating their academic, emotional, and social challenges. Huff’s work, though often behind the scenes, plays a vital role in shaping student success of Gabrielino’s most marginalized.
“I’m here to ensure students have the tools, accommodations, and strategies to thrive,” Huff said. “Whether it’s academic support, emotional guidance, or behavioral interventions, my role as school psychologist is about helping students realize their potential.”
Huff’s work is all about balancing academic assessments, consultations with teachers and parents, and providing emotional support. One of Huff’s primary responsibilities is conducting psycho-educational evaluations to uncover why a student may be struggling.
“The assessments I conduct look at everything from intellectual ability and cognitive processing to emotional health,” Huff explained. “I evaluate the whole student. It’s areas like attention, memory, and learning styles that help me to identify any challenges, whether it’s a learning disability, anxiety, ADHD, or other factors impacting their performance.”
While assessments dominate much of her time, Huff also helps students develop compensatory strategies for success. She strives to make students understand their unique learning styles and advocate for their needs.
“When students know how they learn best—whether visually, auditorily, or kinesthetically—they can communicate that to their teachers and, later in life, to employers,” Huff said. “If you advocate for yourself, there will always be a door open to you.”
Huff’s path to Gabrielino has been marked by rich and varied experiences. She began her career at Duarte Unified, a small district similar to San Gabriel Unified. Seeking broader perspectives, Huff took on roles at other wealthier districts, including the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, where she observed stark contrasts in resources and opportunities.
“It was eye-opening to see how wealth influenced access to support,” Huff reflected. “In affluent areas such as Santa Monica-Malibu Unified, many families misused resources to give their children an edge they didn’t truly need, while students in need were left behind. It reinforced my commitment to working where I could make the most impact, and led me to Gabrielino.”
At Gabrielino, Huff has found a place where she feels she is truly making a difference.
“Here, I see students who inspire me every day with their resilience and potential,” Huff expressed.
Throughout her career, one of Huff’s most memorable moments involved helping a kinesthetic learner—a student who processed information best through physical activity.
“She struggled in traditional classrooms, where movement wasn’t encouraged,” Huff recalled. “When her mother and teachers recognized her learning style, everything changed. She was finally able to advocate for herself and learn, grow, and thrive. It wasn’t just about academics—it was about seeing her differences as strengths.”
At Gabrielino, Huff works closely with students from all kinds of achievement levels, encouraging them to always give themselves grace.
“Perfection isn’t the goal,” Huff advised. “Success comes from knowing your strengths and pursuing what you love. That is what I want for all of my students.”
Huff’s work extends beyond students and includes parents and teachers. She collaborates with teachers to implement effective accommodations and helps parents understand their child’s unique needs.
“It’s all about teamwork,” Huff stated. “Through my work, I create an environment where the student feels supported from every angle, both at home and in school.”
Huff builds trust with her students by creating a welcoming environment, often sharing her own journey to inspire and connect with them.
“I want students to know they’re never alone,” Huff explained. “My work is about showing them that challenges don’t define them—they’re just part of the story.”
Huff’s academic journey began with a degree in Theology and Divinity from Ambassador University. Her path shifted when she encountered the field of school psychology while working with emotionally disturbed children during an internship.
“The first time I sat in on a meeting about individualized education plans, I knew I’d found my calling,” Huff shared. “Hearing about how IQ, processing, and the science behind how learning styles influenced behavior opened my eyes to a career where I felt I could could make a meaningful difference.”
Despite the challenges of balancing work and raising two young children, Huff completed her master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University and later accepted an invitation to the university’s prestigious doctoral program. Overcoming financial and logistical barriers, Huff earned her doctorate with the help of scholarships, childcare, and sheer determination.
“Balancing my family responsibilities while pursuing my PhD degree was one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences of my life,” Huff stated candidly. “It taught me that with the right support and a little grit, anything is possible.”
Outside of work, Huff cherishes time with her family and often reflects on her past experiences, including a short stint as a flight attendant, a job she still fondly describes as “the most fulfilling and best adventure.”
Through Huff’s personal journey of growth and perseverance, she has become a beacon of inspiration for the students she serves.
“As a school psychologist, I’ve seen how incredible young people can be when given the right support,” Huff said with a smile. “It’s a privilege to help them grow and succeed—not just in school, but in life.”
