LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Jo-Anneyre Cruz was nominated by one of her students

Dr. Cruz, head of the Great Neck South High guidance department, goes above and beyond for her students. She is always there for her students, whether it's during her personal time, before school, after school, or time during her lunch period. No matter how much help a student needs, she will never give up on them.

"Personally, I experience anxiety. There were times over the past year when I got extremely overwhelmed with school," explains her nominator. "Her door was always open to me even if I needed hours of help at once. My mental health would have been so much worse throughout the past year if it was not for her help. I have had other therapists before, but they were not helpful."

Dr. Cruz knows how to understand what her students are going through. She provides therapy that will truly help and change a student's mental health problem. She is very patient and committed to understanding what is going through her students' minds so she can help them, even it it takes a long time. 

"She has done so much for me and dedicated so much of her time out of the kindness of her heart to support me. No words will ever be able to express how thankful I am," said her nominator. "She not only helps her students through counseling sessions, but as the head of the guidance department, she also organizes events like College Night to help ensure that Grerat Neck South High is a nurturing and welcoming environment for all students."