Warner’s Wisdom: The Heart of Alexandra House

Warner’s Wisdom: The Heart of Alexandra House

4 May 2026Savannah C, Alexandra ‘26

Stepping into the cozy confines of Alexandra House, you immediately feel the warmth that Houseparent Ms Jenna Warner has cultivated. As a cornerstone of the Brentwood community, Ms Warner balances firm leadership with the nurturing care essential for a home away from home. Her positive impact defines the Alex House experience.

Ms Warner’s dedication to the school is multifaceted; remarkably, she balances her role as a Houseparent with raising three children of her own, teaching AP Biology and Life Sciences, and coaching the First XI Field Hockey team. This incredible workload does not diminish her presence in the house; rather, it highlights her commitment to every facet of student life.

While Ms Warner is an authority figure, she describes herself as a supportive witness to the incredible transformations that happen within these walls. “You see a lot of it as students first arrive,” she notes, explaining that while some students transition quickly into the boarding environment, others take longer. She humbly credits the girls in the house for making the biggest difference by visiting rooms and inviting new students uptown.

Behind the scenes, Ms Warner acts with a mother’s intuition. She organizes special treats for holidays, ensures birthday cakes are ready, and provides Easter candies and Valentine’s to make the house feel like a true family. Ayesha S, Alexandra ‘29, agrees that this effort doesn’t go unnoticed. “She acts like she genuinely wants to care for and protect us,” Ayesha says, describing her as caring, protective, and fun.

Even for those just starting their journey, the impact is immediate. “I do actually remember my first interaction,” Michelle M, Alexandra ‘29 recalls of her arrival in Grade 9. “I’m like ‘Ok’, this is going to be great. I was not wrong”. Ms Warner’s ability to transition from a teacher in the classroom to a resident who “lives together” with the students helps the house feel less like a school and more like a home.

Long-term growth is the ultimate goal. Ms Warner hopes her students carry away the “importance of being kind to other people” and a desire to “better a community”. Her favourite part of the job remains hearing about student successes, especially when they have worked hard to achieve a specific goal.

“Try things that are out of your comfort zone,” Ms Warner advises those new to boarding. “Know that not every day will be a good day and that there will be some bumps in the road”. It is this grounded, honest wisdom that makes her the heart of the house. Be sure to catch Ms Warner at a house meeting, in the lab, or on the sidelines of the field hockey pitch. See if you can keep up! 😉

Savannah C, Alexandra ‘26

Where Students Choose To Be