feature story / 21 Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca presents Judi Cohen with a resolution to rec- ognize her years of service on the Municipal Alliance for drug and alcoholism prevention. Maplewood Health Officer Bob Roe (right) says, “She has been a member of the Municipal Alliance since its inception and I think of her as the conscience, heart and soul of the Alliance.” Cohen for nine years, sees it like this, “Judi can be really direct in a way that students love and really respond to, and in a way that other professionals fear talking to kids. I don’t think she operates from a place of fear, just straight from her heart.” Cohen likens the job to an emer- gency room of a hospital, saying, “I don’t know what’s coming in, but I’d better be prepared.” Her day could in- clude the re-entry of a student recov- ering from a suicide attempt; a child locked out of his home by a mentally ill parent; a girl who wouldn't attend gym because she couldn't bear to change her clothes in front of others (solution: Cohen gave her a drawer in her office to store her clothes along with privacy to change); and a student who stopped attending a class because she couldn’t face seeing the boyfriend who had broken up with her. Certainly, this type of work takes its toll because, as Cohen says, “there’s not a lesson plan.” Her husband of 40- plus years helped her decompress. She watched a lot of TV to take a break from talking. And her friends helped her process the difficult stories she heard. “Faith helps as well.” Besides her professional qualifica- tions, Cohen believes that her years of experience in the classroom made a difference because she knew what teachers and kids needed. Beyond that, she says, “It comes naturally to me. Don’t ask me to handle the phone. I hate technology.” With such a lengthy career, many viewed Cohen as a fixture. But she ex- plains, “I’m tired. I think I’m getting burned out doing this for so many years. There also comes a time – it’s something that comes over you – to give it up to someone else.” She notes, “You’ve really got to be into their [stu- dents’] world. You’ve got to know their music, their trends, their styles.” Cohen looks forward to traveling with her husband, who is thrilled they no longer have to conform to a school calendar. They’ve already booked a trip to South America in March, and plan to visit Dallas more frequently to see their grandchildren. She also wants to audit courses in history and art, and possibly to work with dogs in a shelter. In the end, though, Cohen notes, “I’m fortified by kids. That’s the only thing about retirement that scares me.” Chances are, wherever she goes, she’ll seek out youth and find new opportu- nities to engage with them. Ellen Donker appreciates the morning spent in Judi Cohen’s office, seeing her in action. By the end she felt as if she had made a good friend, a testament to Cohen’s innate ability to connect. call us at 973-821-3858 • www.greenrootsorganic.com Locally owned and operated Inquire about our latest specials AND OFFERS Services Lawn fertilization programs 100% Organic tick, flea and mosquito repellent programs Compost tea applications Aeration and overseeding Lawn Restoration and Revivals environmentally friendly & organic lawn care