On any given day on campus, the buzzing stomps of the Step Team, the intriguing discussions in Chaffee, and the warmth of Richmond Hall all lead back to the same person: our beloved faculty member, Ms. Petagay Rowe. Class of 1995 Loomis Chaffee alumna, Ms. Rowe is part of the Loomis community as a dorm parent, English teacher, and the leader/coach of the LC Step Team.
Returning to Loomis with multiple roles, she was once again reminded of how Loomis is not just a place of learning, but a place of belonging, growth, and care. “Returning to Loomis Chaffee has deepened my appreciation for the school as a living, evolving community,” said Ms. Rowe. “Experiencing Loomis now from multiple perspectives allows me to see how interconnected student life is, moments especially being meaningful when I get to support students both inside and outside the classroom.”
Ms. Rowe strives to continue the legacy of unconditional support and meaningful education she once received to her very own students. She stated: “my own experiences as a Loomis student strongly influence the way I teach and connect with students today. I remember how impactful it was to feel seen, challenged, and supported by my teachers, and I strive to create that same environment in my classroom. Having once navigated the academic and personal challenges students face here, I am able to approach teaching with empathy, high expectations, and a genuine understanding of the Loomis experience.”
Ms. Rowe is not simply a loved and appreciated member of the Loomis community, she’s also a cornerstone to Loomis’ history. Having inaugurated the idea of Step to the Loomis community thirty one years ago, Ms. Rowe has helped shape the LC Step Team into what it is today. “Leading the LC Step Team is deeply personal to me. It represents the power of expression, discipline, and community, and it allows students to build confidence while celebrating rhythm, culture, and teamwork,” she said. “Being able to guide students in a space where they can be creative, challenged, and proud of their collective accomplishments is incredibly rewarding. For me, the Step Team embodies the spirit of Loomis—commitment, collaboration, and the courage to show up fully as oneself.”
Beyond being a teacher, a coach, and a dorm parent, Ms. Rowe takes on the role of being a mother to three children who attended or are attending Loomis. She commented: “When I’m not teaching, dorm parenting, or leading step, I truly enjoy watching my own children, extensions of myself, navigate the teenage and young adult chapters of their lives. Observing their growth, independence, and self-discovery has been both grounding and inspiring.” Additionally, Ms. Rowe loves exploring worlds beyond The Island both physically and virtually. “Like me, my children have a deep interest in diverse cultures, so we love traveling to new places where we can immerse ourselves in new foods, traditions, and communities,” she remarked. “When physical travel isn’t possible, I enjoy traveling vicariously through foreign dramas, music, and stories, which allows me to continue learning about and appreciating cultures from around the world.”
In every role she holds, Ms. Rowe never fails to radiate energy and excitement, and bring the most genuine and authentic self to the Loomis community. Whether that’s through teaching literature, becoming a guardian in the dorm, or through leading a step team performance, she exemplifies what it means to show up fully for a community. Her presence reminds students that Loomis Chaffee is beyond just a school: it’s a community full of people dedicated to serve the best self and the common good.
