Kensy Nanang, MS, BCBA, a Rehabilitation Counselor on the Intensive Instruction Program (IIP) Cohort G, has worked at NECC for about two years. She was nominated for Staff Spotlight by a colleague, “because she always advocates for the needs of her students and coworkers and is always on top of student programming. She also provides great support for staff in the classroom.”

How long have you worked for NECC?

I’ve worked at NECC for a year and 10 months, so almost two years. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is working alongside people who are really passionate about helping our students grow. I love being part of a team where everyone is problem-solving together and celebrating progress. I also really enjoy the data side of the work – looking at patterns, understanding what’s working, and using that information to make better decisions for our students.  

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

I stumbled upon this field; I did not know it existed until after my undergraduate degree, when I applied to work at an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic without knowing exactly what ABA was. After working there for a year, I realized I wanted to be part of empowering people on the spectrum to live as independently as possible, and so I went to grad school for ABA. 

Why NECC?

I tell everyone who cares to listen that while in my graduate program, I would read research articles by Greg Hanley, Brian Iwata and see that the studies were done at NECC; I wanted so badly to be here and to experience these groundbreaking things. NECC felt like the place to be if I wanted to be a better ABA practitioner. 

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

While I completed my master’s degree in ABA at the Oregon Institute of Technology, I did complete my fieldwork hours at NECC and had the best supervisor who taught me a lot, especially balancing empathy with effective programming. I recently earned my BCBA certification, so that’s exciting. 

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

A random thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I’m ambidextrous. I can use both hands to equal capacity, even though my left hand is dominant. 

Who is someone you look up to?

My dad. He was the most down-to-earth, taking-care-of-everyone, not-afraid-to-get-his-hands-dirty person I’ve ever known. He showed me there was a world outside what I knew and made it possible for me to experience that world. 

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

“If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.” It has been a good reminder that change and growth are always possible, within oneself and one’s environment. I’ve made life-altering decisions just having that at the back of my mind, like uprooting my life and starting a new one in a different country.