Luz Hernández papers
Scope and Contents
Seeing the connection between the mind and the body, Hernandez harnessed movement therapies to help allievate distress and the physical, psychological, and emotional problems experienced by K-12 students in New York City public schools. The collection contains photographs and video recordings of these programs in East Harlem; Bushwick, Brooklyn; and at the High School of Fashion Industries. A few documents explain the theory and benefits of her approach.
Dates
- Creation: 1986-2000s
Creator
- Hernández, Luz C. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Video recordings are unavailable. Copyright held by Centro.
Biographical / Historical
Luz C. Hernández, a New York City public school guidance counselor and yoga instructor, is an advocate for non-traditional therapy modalities. She has developed programs to address student mental health and academic needs, especially in East Harlem and Bushwick Brooklyn.
She received a B.A. in Education from the University of Connecticut, a masters of education in guidance from Brooklyn College CUNY, and a second masters of education in psychology from Long Island University. Hernández received additional training at the Swedish Institute of Allied Health Science and Physiotherapy and the Bank Street College of Education, both in New York. Early in her career Hernádez worked as a counselor and instructor at Brooklyn College and Touro College.
As a guidance counselor Hernández provided individual and group counseling; monitored student socio-emotional and academic performance and interventions; and created school programs that integrate body and mind approaches to heal psychological and emotional problems.
As a Bilingual Guidance Counselor and Program Coordinator in District 32 in Brooklyn, New York Hernández taught dance (including folkloric dances) and creative movement at Bushwick P.S. 377. She implemented similar programs as a Bilingual School Psychologist and Guidance Counselor for District 4, which encompasses East Harlem. Transitioning to the High School of Fashion Industres in 2005, Hernández developed the Yoga-Dance Club which incorporated yoga, zumba, flamenco, belly dance, health, and nutrition for student well-being.
The United States Department of State awarded her a U.S. Speaker and Specialist grant in 2001 for her project examining art therapy for at risk kids. As of 2021 Hernádez resides in Manhattan and is a Senior Yoga Instructor at the Integral Yoga Institute.
Extent
2 Cubic_Feet
Language of Materials
English
Spanish; Castilian
Abstract
The Luz Hernández papers offer insight into non-traditonal methods of therapy and intervention programs for at-risk students. Primarily comprised of photographs, the collection documents yoga, art, and movement therapies, and other the other programs Hernández led to support New York City public school students' mental health, social development, and academic needs during the mid 1980s through the 2000s.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Luz C. Hernández, 2021.
Processing Information
Processed by Susan M. Kline in 2022.
Subject
- New York City Public Schools (Organization)
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- Luz Hernández papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Susan M. Kline
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Archives of the Puerto Rican Diaspora Repository
Silberman Building, Hunter College
2180 Third Ave. Rm. 122
New York New York 10065
centro.library@hunter.cuny.edu