feature story / 19 a result of Columbia’s transition to include the 9th grade class. There she taught English as well as research and debate for juniors and seniors. She re- calls, “That was the best of the best. I just loved it.” Over time, though, she realized that “all these kids are constantly writ- ing me their problems, sitting with me during my lunch…and it was so much counseling. So I said this is crazy. Why don’t I just get an office.” That spurred her to enroll at Mont- clair State University, where she earned a degree in guidance and counseling as well as certifications to be a student assistance counselor (also called a sub- stance abuse counselor) and a super- visor. When the position of Student Assistance Counselor opened up at Columbia High School, she accepted it with trepidation, afraid she was leav- ing behind the best job she’d ever had. She’s never turned back. With a personality larger than life, Cohen would greet students with a ‘Hi Love’ or ‘Hey Handsome’. She says, “I’m not formal and I think that helps. If you’re too formal, kids can’t relate. The name of the game in this job is building relationships, building trust.” Typically, students ended up in her office by word of mouth. “Kids re- fer kids to me, would you believe it?” Cohen also got referrals from security, guidance, the main office, really any- one. And she made it her business to be involved with clubs, attend games, and strike up conversations in the cafeteria. She says, “You can’t hide in this job.” When Cohen started out in 1990, much of her work involved student assistance for substance abuse. She remembers kids throwing wild par- ties when their parents weren’t home and the police getting called. More recently, the partying has been sup- planted by mental health issues with kids using marijuana and alcohol to self-medicate. Cohen sums it up, “Kids haven’t learned to cope. The sense of family is not like what it was yesteryear.” She attributes much of it to the financial pressures families face, necessitating that two parents work full-time. Com- bined with running a house- hold – getting dinner on the table, making sure homework is done and attending to all the other to-do’s on the list – parents are exhausted and sometimes lose sight of what their children need. Cohen also saw the trend of parents swooping in to fix things for their children rather than teaching them to advocate for themselves. When students came to her Judi Cohen graduated from Columbia High School in 1971 Fallyn Balassone, who worked with Cohen for nine years, says, "I don’t think she operates from a place of fear, just straight from her heart.” THE TENTH MUSE GALLERY 170 MAPLEWOOD AVENUE | MAPLEWOOD NJ 07040 973.313.2722 | INSTAGRAM @thetenthmusegallery www.thetenthmusegallery.com C E L E B R AT I N G 1 5 Y E A R S — N OW U N D E R N E W OW N E R S H I P ! NEW FOR SPRING ON THE WAY! Kevin F. Muench, DMD, MAGD 140 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood 973.763.2221 I MuenchDental.com The Muench Dental Team is excited to announce the arrival of amazing new technology: THE ITERO 3D SCANNER With this leading 3D scanner we can now offer you Invisalign Orthodontics and Digital Re- storative Dentistry. And we can show you what your new smile will look like – all on a 20-inch screen. Visualize Your New Smile with our 3D Scanner! Dr. Muench has earned more than 2,500 hours of continuing education from world renowned dental learning facilities. This means he can apply his enhanced level of skill and understanding so you can achieve exceptional comfort and oral health. LET US SHOW YOU YOUR NEW SMILE. CALL TODAY FOR A FREE SIMULATION SCAN!