Faculty Introduction: Mr. Rubin
This past week I sat down with Mr. Rubin, one of the newest members of the Browning community, to offer a formal introduction to your High School Counsellor. Rubin is a born and bred New Yorker himself, hailing from the Upper West Side. Enjoy learning a bit about one of the school’s new faces, and I hope you all realize how much he shares with you and is willing to fight for your best interests!
Where did you grow up? Tell us a bit about your youth:
I’m an Upper West Sider at heart, and attended the Ethical Cultural Fieldston School throughout my youth. I frequented the 84th street movie theater, Cafe 82 the Diner, played a lot of basketball at the JCC, and loved to hang out at Riverside Park.
What Brought You to Browning?
I was interested by the unique challenge of working in an all-boys school, and motivated by the fact that men are socialized to not be emotionally vulnerable, along with the opportunity to change that narrative, especially from a shared perspective. The work that could be done and the challenge that awaited brought me here. Prior to Browning, I worked in Private Practice and the Non-Profit field focusing on teaching kids on the spectrum social skills at The Meeting House.
What do you hope to get out of this experience?
I want to see more visible examples of conversation regarding mental health, and integrate openness into a part of daily life.
What’s been your favorite moment so far as a member of the Browning Community?
Hanging out with the juniors on the college trip was a lot of fun, going to five guys and understanding how you guys interact with each other, along with what your interests are and how you talk. It was fun to see how mature the students here are and get a behind the scenes lens into Browning boys.
How have you gotten involved up to this point, and where do you see yourself taking the role in the future?
I’m really impressed with the Real Talk Club, and want to continue supporting student-led initiatives around mental health in a similar vein. Engagement and keeping spaces like these easy to join are really where I see the future.
How can you support students who feel overwhelmed by coursework? What suggestions can you offer to those who feel overwhelmed, especially at the peak of their studies?
Students need to be advocates for themselves, you guys have back-to-back days and its understandable that you’re overwhelmed. Executive Functioning and Planning are sometimes assumed to be skills everyone has, but it’s important to realize that they aren’t always taught. Communication and collaboration are key, knowing how to navigate tough conversations and represent yourself properly
What’s one word of advice you want to share with the Browning Community?
It’s a very encouraging and diverse environment here, and you can be authentic and supported for being open. Be yourself, it’s rare to find spaces like these.
