Cindy Bonitz-Ryan

Cindy Bonitz-Ryan was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After graduation she moved to Durango to attend Fort Lewis College. Cindy is a licensed Professional School Counselor. She holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in Biology from Fort Lewis College, a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling and a Master’s Degree with an endorsement in School Counseling from Adams State University. In her 23 years as a School Counselor, she has worked in a variety of schools and served her students through numerous roles and titles. Her work with students includes visiting classrooms to teach lessons based on the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model with the focus on academic, career, and personal/social development of all students, coordinating and facilitating small groups, and meeting with individuals and families. Cindy has extensive experience with advising students and parents through career and college processes. She has been recognized for her work by several organizations and institutions of higher learning, including receiving the CTE Counselor of the Year Award. As a School Counselor in a small, rural community, she has built relationships with many youth-serving agencies that have helped her to better support the students and families she works with. Cindy’s counseling philosophy is student-centered and solution focused.

 Beyond the School Counseling role, Cindy assists students and their families with getting involved in many of the local music programs in her area. She is the former Youth Orchestra Manager for the San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestra Programs, and believes strongly that music has the power to transform lives and to connect children of all backgrounds in one place for a shared vision and purpose.

Cindy is the mother of four boys, ranging in age from 19 to 39, and, has a grandson that celebrated his fourth birthday in June. When she is not at work, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking with her son(s), attending concerts, and traveling.