Justine Exonam Amekoe has been working as a level 2 teacher for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Westborough 2 residence for nearly a year. She was nominated for Staff Spotlight by her colleagues because she “is an incredibly dedicated and compassionate team member who consistently goes above and beyond in supporting both her students and colleagues. She brings positivity, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to every shift. Justine is always willing to lend a helping hand and takes initiative in ensuring her students’ needs are met with care and patience. Her commitment to excellence and teamwork makes her a valuable asset to the West 2 team and NECC as a whole.”

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is witnessing my students making meaningful progress, no matter how big or small. Every breakthrough moment is deeply rewarding and reinforces the value of the work I do every day. I also truly cherish the strong rapport I’ve built with my colleagues. They’ve become family to me.

Why did you choose a career in helping children with autism?

I chose this career because, as an educator at heart, I’ve always been passionate about impacting lives, especially those of children. Helping them grow, gain independence, and make their own decisions gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Why NECC?

I chose NECC because it provided a unique opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. The hands-on experience with such wonderful students has been invaluable.

Have you taken advantage of any of the grad programs or teacher training at NECC?

I’ll be starting the Simmons University graduate program this fall. I’m excited about the learning and opportunities that lie ahead.

What is something about you that your colleagues might be surprised to learn?

Something they may be surprised to learn is that outside of teaching, I’m a bit of a data nerd! I enjoy coding and building models that uncover patterns, whether it’s tracking financial trends or solving problems with Python.

Who is someone you look up to?

Professionally, I admire my supervisors because they are truly amazing. Personally, I look up to my dad; he is simply the best.

What is your life philosophy or motto you like to live by?

“Do small things with great love.”