“Students themselves inspire me with their dreams and drive to see them come through.” – A Conversation with Emma (Staff Member since 2024)

Emma Russo

University and Career Counselor, AP and Test Coordinator

For how long have you been with the Ecole and what made you join the team?

I have been at the Ecole since August 2024, so it's been now 7 months! I applied to work at the Ecole because of the rest of its name – d'Humanité. I loved the idea of working in a school that is a living and learning community, not "just" a school. Students are not seen as numbers but people, and there is a history and culture of educating "whole humans" to help them become who they are which I have seen in practice since coming here. I wanted to be part of a team of supportive, caring and competent educators that would inspire me and I could learn from, and I am very happy to say that has been the case since day 1 at the Ecole. I also absolutely love the mountains and loved the co-curricular program set up of the Ecole.

What does a day look like for you? What do you do at the Ecole?

My days at the Ecole are as varied and diverse as our student body and their passions! On a regular weekday, you'll find me at meals in the Esssaal with the Westhaus family, doing putzpause in the morning with my team, spending time in the College Counselling office organizing CollegeBoard exams and liaising with universities to organize visits and offer new opportunities to our students – but sometimes I also teach in the mornings! Last term, I taught a social theory course on the topic of Ideology and Identity, which brought me back to my deep love for teaching and learning sociology that I discovered at university.

In the afternoons and during breaks, I am usually having 1:1 meetings with students from both systems to help them navigate the exciting but confusing jungle of university admissions, internships/jobs and gap year opportunities. I also teach group afternoon courses in college counselling, which are mandatory for students from grade 10 and above in the US program.

As I also have a longstanding passion for dance and fitness, I have also been offering afternoon ballet and pilates classes, and next term I will co-teach a morning course in Dance Repertoire and Pilates-based strength training for dance. I finish my days often hosting evening events, such as the Ecole Future Lab, where we have been inviting alumni to be interviewed by current students on their journeys after the Ecole.

Finally, I am back in Westhaus to check in on my family and I often end up hosting baking sessions and long conversations in front of a cup of tea. While each and every day is its own adventure, I always try to make sure I take at least a few minutes to look at the beautiful mountains around us and soak in the Hasliberg air and the Ecole energy, dreaming of all upcoming outdoor adventures!

What is the most inspiring part of your job and the Ecole?

Working with students to support them in their decision-making processes about what they will do after the Ecole. It is an incredibly complex, vulnerable and exciting process and I feel honored to play a small role in our talented students' journey towards recognising their strengths, passions and goals while also navigating sometimes difficult decisions. Students themselves inspire me with their dreams and drive to see them come through. I am also in awe of the empathy and compassionate character I see them developing since they arrive and how much they increasingly contribute to the community.

The Ecole more than any other school gives them room to experiment and find out through trial, error, challenges and opportunities what it is that makes them motivated and happy to work hard, and what is the kind of world and communities they want to contribute to when they are older.

If I weren't so darn good at my job, I would probably be?

A fiction writer (or at least I would try to!)

What is the best piece of advice you would give to our ambitious students?

Believe in your dreams, and remember about the community around you, which is the greatest resource to help you understand yourself, keep you accountable, motivate you and support you in bringing about change. Here and in the future, nurturing good relationships is key: treasure your Ecole friendships, the mentorship from your teachers and advisors, and enjoy building genuine connections with the people that inspire you. Also, it's never too late to change paths!