Faculty/Staff Spotlight: Bernice Ruiz

FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

BERNICE RUIZ

Health Education Coordinator and School Counselor

Bernice Ruiz joined the CSW community in 2017, and she holds a number of important roles in the community. As the Health Education Coordinator to new students, she builds curriculum and programming for students as it pertains to their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. She also coordinates the Peer Mentor Leadership Program, which trains upper school students to help deliver the orientation program for new students through their first two mods at CSW. Lastly, but certainly not least, Bernice works as a Dorm Parent in Warren House, a role she says is one of her favorite parts about working at CSW. WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? Much of my motivation is influenced by my own long-held passion and interest in education. I’ve known I wanted to work with adolescents since I started doing so in my sophomore year in college. Whether it was leading students through the college application process, providing academic tutoring, teaching, or aiding inner-city students in applying for, receiving admittance to, and succeeding at college preparatory institutions, working with adolescents in various capacities has felt like a deep calling. It is an indescribable feeling knowing that you are supporting individuals through what is typically one of the most challenging and formative periods of their lives.

WHAT MENTAL HEALTH TRENDS HAVE YOU WITNESSED AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN RECENT YEARS? It probably comes as no surprise that there is an increase in the number of adolescents reporting symptoms indicative that they are struggling with anxiety and depression. Indeed, anxiety and depression are mental health illnesses that typically present themselves in tandem, having debilitating effects on one’s ability to effectively move through this important time period called adolescence. I would say that eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), and substance use disorders follow closely behind, although not necessarily in that order. What is important to point out is, not necessarily that there are more adolescents struggling with the aforementioned mental health issues, but that adolescents have become increasingly more comfortable with being open to discussing said issues and reaching out for support. More specifically at CSW, it has been incredible to witness the type of help-seeking behaviors exhibited by members of our student body. It has been encouraging to watch students consistently “show up” for one another by reaching out to their peers and/or trusted adults when they are worried about themselves or another student. CSW students are incredibly empathic and caring in that way, and that makes this school a truly special place to do this sort of important work.

WHAT IMPACT HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAD ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH? The COVID-19 pandemic has, understandably so, allowed for increased feelings of isolation for so many of us. For new students in particular, it has added new complexities and increased challenges to creating and sustaining authentic peer connections. For all students, it has led to a noticeable sense of loss. It is a loss for those students who have bravely chosen not to be on campus, for those who have had to forfeit whatever sense of a “normal” beginning to high school they may

have thought they’d have, and it is a loss in terms of their ability to join in community through close contact sports and extracurricular programming, and so on. All of this works to increase our sense of isolation, while still trying to find some sense of comfort and meaning in knowing that we are going through this simultaneously. I hope it continues to challenge us to find more innovative ways to stay connected to one another.

WHAT IMPACT HAS THE RECENT FOCUS ON SYSTEMIC RACISM AND THE VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAD ON BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS AT CSW? While in some ways it has been encouraging to see increased focus and attention given to the systemic racism and violence against Black and Brown people, many students cannot help but to temper that enthusiasm with a “wait and see” approach. There have been too many instances of groups riding the wave of a significant social event, but not necessarily following through with any actionable items that feel real and genuine in a pursuit to true racial equity and justice. Students (and adults) are not interested in piecemeal or half-hearted calls to action that will temporarily assuage their concerns, only to have the same conversation once another similar event occurs in a year or two.

One of the biggest frustrations BIPoC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) students and faculty have had with the more recent focus is that the issue isn’t new; the attention is. On the one hand, it is encouraging to know that others are finally taking heed of some of the very same issues BIPoC students have been concerned and hurt about for years. Yet, on the other hand, it begs the question, “why now?” What is so different about now that has evoked such great levels of “outrage?”

For some BIPoC students, the renewed focus has made more salient how silenced and invisible they have previously felt in various spaces on campus where they are the “only ones.” The only one that seems to “care” about an issue, or perhaps seen as the only one who should (or could?) speak on issues related to racial inequities and violence. All in all, I think BIPoC students are hoping that these aren’t issues that others pretend to care about for the moment and that our whole community perceives conversations about racial equity to be an important and essential part of the fabric of a truly progressive school.

NEW FACULTY & STAFF

Alex Goldberg History Department

Samson Egilman ’07 Dean’s Office

Astin Stratoti Theatre Department

Sarah Lewites Math Department

Randy Jose Admissions Office

Rose Rosenthal Science Department

Taylor Kaufman

Theatre Department GUESS WHO! Can you match them up with the facts below?

A

I essentially have no sense of smell. I was on the trial team that won five verdicts against Smithfield Pork in 2018. I love playing frisbee golf.

B

I have met and chatted with the Dalai Lama (the real one!). I play bass for a local indie pop/rock band that has over 1 million total streams on Spotify. I have traveled to 14 different countries outside of the U.S.

C

I was born in Yokosuka, Japan. My favorite professional wrestler of all time is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I’ve auditioned for the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” twice, and was featured in the Boston premiere episode for three seconds in 2013.

D

I have a cat named after one of the Powerpuff Girls. I love the beach. I do not have a green thumb.

E

I went to a bookstore party for the release of the fifth Harry Potter book and won the raffle (so I got the book for free and the first out of everyone there). My birthday is the day before a big U.S. holiday. I have a split chromosome, which makes my thumbs noticeably different lengths.

F

I used to bowl competitively. For 80% of my life I have had a pet bird. I was ranked one of the best violinists in my home state.

G

I have been studying puppetry for almost five years now. I have been attending anime and comic conventions for 10+ years and have won several cosplay awards. I have been to the real life Hobbiton Shire from Lord of the Rings.