Leave Better Than You Walked In - Mr. Ruiz's English Class
by Liam Gatcliffe
Throughout the campus, students in 10th and 12th grades have entered their English classes prepared for another year of poetry, grammar, and reading comprehension. They sit down and realize they are in for an exciting experience this year. A graduate of the 2012 CCHS class, who is a Philadelphia Eagles fan and movie enthusiast, has returned to Columbus.
Mr. Ruiz aims to provide his students with an unforgettable English class experience.
Background
Erik Ruiz, a member of the class of 2012, left college to join the military. He quickly began to appreciate the structure that his years of service provided. During this significant departure from academics, he maintained his passion for writing, literature, and history. After completing his service, he sought a career that would combine this newfound structure with his interests. This journey led him back to the Westchester classrooms he attended more than a decade earlier.
Reflecting on his military experience, Ruiz acknowledges that the challenges he faced during his service played a crucial role in shaping him into the person and educator he is today.
“Everything [in the military] was hard. So whatever challenge I face now I just remind myself that it could always be worse,” Ruiz said.
“The Ruiz Style”
Mr. Ruiz was asked about his approach to the school year, specifically regarding the academic curriculum and the essential life lessons he aims to impart to students as they prepare to graduate in June.
"Respect, knowledge, growth, maturity, etc. The grade will come regardless… I want to make you better than you were when you walked in,” he said.
Mr. Ruiz possesses an extensive repertoire of cinematic, video game, anime, and television references that he effectively incorporates into his lectures. By frequently using pop culture to reinforce abstract ideas and concepts, he demonstrates the interconnectedness of literature and storytelling across various mediums.
His choice of films is particularly noteworthy. Mr. Ruiz considers Mark Waters’ 2004 film Mean Girls to be especially impactful.
“Yes, it’s a comedy but that comedy is rooted in real emotions. It’s a coming of age story about fitting in and growth, one that we all experience," he said. "On the surface it’s a funny and raunchy comedy but from a writing standpoint it’s a stroke of genius that can be dissected endlessly.”
Coming Back to The C
In the broader context of Christopher Columbus' history, it was only recently that Ruiz was seated in a sophomore English class. When asked about his transition from student to educator, he shared the following insights.
“I remember Pugh, Pelegrín, Trujillo, OB and everyone else just being teachers. I was afraid of some of them. And now I consider them friends and a new found family. It’s a wild adjustment but it has been so incredible to call the men I once looked up to colleagues,” he said.
Mr. Ruiz is eager to leave an impact on sophomores and seniors alike, which extends beyond the English curriculum. Many students look forward to the engaging classes where conversations about the Philadelphia Eagles, stories, and cultural references create an impactful learning environment that Ruiz hopes will resonate long after graduation next June.
Principal Mr. Pugh says Ruiz brings a wide range of skills to the school.
"Mr. Ruiz understands that the foundation of teaching within the Marist Charism begins with building meaningful relationships and genuinely caring for every student. His previous teaching experience, combined with his service in the military, has shaped his growth as an educator and strengthened his ability to lead and serve with compassion, empathy, and purpose. He brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to the young men entrusted to his care," said Mr. Pugh, CCHS Principal
Ruiz hopes his students leave with one lesson.
“I want my students to always be better versions of themselves," Ruiz said.
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