Kaela Calaguian, MSEd, an Education Coordinator on Westborough One, has worked at NECC for three and a half years. She was nominated for Staff Spotlight by a colleague, “because she is a wonderful teacher! Kaela is always very helpful, and you don’t feel any pressure with her; she is always there to help our students and staff thrive.”

How long have you worked for NECC?

I have worked at NECC for the past three and a half years. I recently started as the Education Coordinator for West 1. Previously, I was a Lead Teacher at the Winchester PSS Classroom at McCall Middle School and a Rehabilitation Counselor on Higley Road.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is being able to collaborate closely with my colleagues and work toward a shared goal as a team – helping our students build skills and work toward greater independence. Collaboration at NECC has taught me so much, and I really value the opportunity to learn from the people I work with. I also love working directly with our students, building meaningful relationships and rapport with them, and seeing them happy, grow, and thrive.

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

I love being able to work with students and their families and help students develop meaningful, functional life skills that promote greater independence. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing a student’s progress and knowing that the skills we teach can make a meaningful difference in their lives and those of their families.

Why NECC?

NECC has given me so many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Every day, I learn something new from the students and colleagues around me. I appreciate that NECC encourages leadership, collaboration, and professional growth while keeping our students at the center of the work we do. It is rewarding to be part of an organization where people genuinely care about making a difference.

Have you taken advantage of any of the grad programs or teacher training at NECC? If so, how has it affected your teaching style?

I graduated from the Simmons Master of Science in Education program with an Autism Specialization, and the experience taught me so much. The program strengthened my understanding of best practices in special education, how to create and implement effective and meaningful lessons, and the importance of research and data-driven teaching practices.

Most importantly, it helped me understand the “why” behind the practices we use. This has influenced my teaching by encouraging me to be more intentional about the strategies I use, understand the purpose behind them, and make sure that my teaching is meaningful and individualized to each student.

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

Something my colleagues might be surprised to learn is that I grew up in Qatar for 18 years! I was born in the Philippines and moved to Qatar when I was young, so I grew up between different cultures before eventually moving to the U.S. for college. Because of that, I’m called a third-culture kid!

Who is someone you look up to?

I have always looked up to my parents. They taught me the importance of working hard, being kind, treating everyone with respect, and always doing my best. Their example has shaped who I am both personally and professionally.

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

My life philosophy is “always be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” I try to remind myself of this in both my personal life and at work. We never truly know what someone else may be going through, so I believe that choosing kindness and giving people grace can make a bigger difference than we realize.