Faculty Spotlight on former Guidance Counselor Ruth Innes

Guidance counselors enhance the learning process by helping students identify strengths, skills and abilities, and assisting with their transition to adulthood. As with faculty, the value Shorecrest counselors provide can be seen in a student’s academic development, personal growth and college and career readiness. For many beloved faculty members, their impact and ability to engage, inspire and lead is a testament to their care for their students and their dedication to their profession. The alumni office has heard from several alumni who say the impact Guidance Counselor, Ruth Innes had on them was life-altering. When Shorecrest caught up with Ruth she was traveling in Vienna, Austria! She still took the time to answer a few questions:

  

 

I grew up in a family that had teachers and clergy in my heritage... so you might say that I came by it honestly! The academic setting had always been comfortable for me, so when the opportunity to become a counselor at a private school in Florida it was a no brainer.  At the time, I was living in western Massachusetts (in fact the same town as Mr. Field), working with teens and families in a private social service agency. My husband and I were also both teaching alpine skiing at a local ski area. I was contacted by another private school in the Tampa Bay area about an open guidance counselor position. My husband and I decided that it would be a great opportunity for us and we moved to Florida shortly thereafter.

 

During my second year in Florida, I received a call from Carleen Haskell (former Shorecrest Head of School) who wanted to discuss a position at Shorecrest. After our meeting, I took the position and began in the Fall of 1979, and was there for ten years. It was the absolute best decision to take that position! 

 

 

Upon reflection I find that a theme in my life has been to assist teenagers in opening up more degrees of freedom. When I say “degrees of freedom,” I mean assisting people to understand they can accomplish more than they think they can. If we make appropriate choices, or seek other options and do what is required of us, we can open up doors to things we thought we could not reach. I also found it important to assist in having realistic expectations. It is important to understand that there is never just one path and that perhaps the path you thought would be appropriate may not be realistic and this is a huge part of creating more degrees of freedom in life!

 

 

A lot. Besides my job as a counselor, I really enjoyed being the Advisor to the Exchange Club and working with the students and the community. I also truly valued the time I spent working with Carleen Haskell. She is a person who dearly loved Shorecrest and strove to create excellence in the school.

 

I do need to say that it is hard to pick one or two memories... working with each student would be my choice. I love the energy that teenagers bring and well as their optimism...one should never lose it!! 

 

 

As you know by me writing this from my trip in Austria, I am traveling. I worked with teenagers until retirement in 2003, and now live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I teach Nordic Skiing, Yoga and Taiji, and take people on hikes in the Whites (with the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Omni Mount Washington Resort) - all part time and fun!

 

I really enjoy being in contact with so many alumni through the “magic of Facebook.” It is amazing how time goes by and students are now grandparents. 

 

Remember, life is too short to do laundry!! So don’t get caught up in stuff that limits your enthusiasm and love of life!

 
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We hope to make this series a fixture in future communications! If there is a former or current faculty or staff member that you would like spotlighted, please email Stacy Alexander, Director of Alumni and Community Engagement, at [email protected].