If you ever see Ms. Brenda in the halls you probably notice how kind and calm she is. Brenda Ramos works for a program called BRYT. (Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition) She helps students who are going through a tough time or even if they’re stressed. Mrs. Brenda started working with BRYT in 2020, right after the pandemic started. A lot of students were having a hard time during that year and she wanted to be someone who could help school feel manageable. When I was interviewing Ms. Brenda she surprised me with an answer to one of my questions.
I asked Ms. Brenda, “Did you expect to end up where you are today?”. She responded, “I actually wanted to be a nurse, but I had a hard time with the science part because I didn’t have the support I needed to really understand it.” That experience stayed with her and made her want to be the kind of adult who supports students so they won’t go through that same feeling of not being able to understand. Mrs. Brenda supports her people because she knows and has experienced the struggles of being a Latin American.
One thing Ms.Brenda wants to change is how people talk about mental health in school. She said, “Teachers and students need to know how mental health affects each other’s communication.” She believes that if we talk more about feelings more students will feel less alone. She has a high expectation for her students. “I want my students to be willing to try and grow.” She knows no one is perfect and supports the fact that mistakes are a part of learning.
Out of school, Ms. Brenda enjoys spending time with her daughter and likes to cook. She also likes true crime books and shows. A memorable moment for Ms. Brenda is noticing the hardships of students so they don’t cause harm to their life and instead feel supported, that’s the kind of person Ms. Brenda is, she looks out for people who need it at their lowest point and because of that builds relationships. Her way of building relationships is by being real with her students. Who she is culturally is how she shows up the first time you meet her.
As a student part of BRYT, I was fortunate to meet Ms.Brenda. She has helped me a lot, at the beginning of school I was lost and wasn’t in the right state of mind. Ms. Brenda met me at my lowest and the first time I talked to her I felt comfortable enough to tell her what had been going on, the things I was feeling and what had happened. She helped me understand that the past is the past and that it’s out of my control now. When I need someone to talk to, Ms. Brenda is always willing to hear me out and understand the thoughts I would have. Even when she has her hands full, she still tries to fit you in even if she’s making flyers for an event she has planned. Because of Ms. Brenda, many students know they have someone who listens, understands, and always has their back.