Introducing Ms Bell-Etkin

14 November 2020Jensa NG, Mackenzie ‘23

When brainstorming for my upcoming article, I pondered to myself “What do Brentwood students and families need to know?” That is when I had an epiphany. The Brentwood staff is what keeps our community running. From late-night ‘sign-ins’, to early morning caf duty – not to mention their crucial roles in the staff Air Band – Brentwood’s RFAs (Residential Faculty Assistants) are the backbone of our school

Ms Lindsay Bell-Etkin, known to many at the school as the Mack House RFA, is the first staff member of many whom I will be interviewing over the next few months.

Ms Bell-Etkin’s history with the school started back when she joined as a wide-eyed Grade 9 student in 2010-2011. While at Brentwood, she was the Captain of SPARC (now B-WELL) which many Brentwood students know is a big role. Ms BE was also involved in the BEAT and SAC. She made the most of all of Brentwood’s opportunities, as she played soccer, danced, participated in musical theatre, and occasionally wrote for the blog. Ms BE reminded me that “I tried my best to make the most of my time at Brentwood because I knew that it was a privilege to be able to have so many opportunities.”

After her time at the school, she moved back to her hometown of Vancouver, BC to attend the University of British Columbia and study International Economics. She also spent some time studying political science at Sciences Po University in France where she also played varsity soccer.

When asked what her favorite part about the school was, she responded enthusiastically “The people!” Ms BE, like many others, is grateful for the warm-hearted second family students are lucky enough to have here at Brentwood.

This speaks to Ms Bell-Etkin’s character. When she left the school back in 2014 she was open to the idea of returning to ‘Pay it forward’. Ms BE made her decision to come back to the school once COVID-19 hit. She told me that she “ wanted to be able to pay forward the experiences that I’d been provided”. She did not only ‘pay it forward’ at Brentwood: Ms Bell-Etkin spent nearly ten years working nonprofit with children, university students, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.

In her future, she has many options, and any workplace would be lucky to have her. She made it clear that she does not have one specific dream job, but in whatever field she is working, she wants to ensure that she is helping others. However, in the near future, she plans to have a coffee, read a book, and stay safe from COVID-19! You could also find Ms BE skiing, cooking, hiking, canoeing or camping in her spare time.

I have the pleasure of knowing Ms Bell-Etkin as my Academic Advisor where many girls agree she is “supportive and kind, and willing to listen to Harry Styles with us” observed Lily C, Mack ‘23. She is also a photography instructor, and a Mackenzie House duty staff member, and I can not wait to learn more from this outstanding role model as the year goes on!

Jensa NG, Mackenzie ‘23

Where Students Choose To Be