Thelma Tabi, a Rehabilitation Counselor and Core Shift Manager (CSM) for the Intensive Instruction Team (ITT) Apartment 2, has worked at The New England Center for Children (NECC) for three contract years. She was nominated for Staff Spotlight by a colleague, “because she is very kind, looks out for staff and students, is dedicated and committed on shift, and is very friendly and positive.”   

How long have you worked for NECC?

I have been working at NECC for the past two years. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of this job is watching my students gain the skills they are working toward, seeing the effort staff put in to ensure a safe environment for the students. The relationships built on the floor – the list goes on and on. 

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

I didn’t choose it; I was born to work with kids with autism. Right after high school, I started teaching at a small special education school in my country. I just love to help, teach, and train them. It gave me joy whenever one of them identified a color or a fruit. I tried something different when I relocated to another town, but I ended up at another special education school and decided to pursue my degree in this field. 

Why NECC?

A friend told me about NECC. He told me it was a place I needed to be, considering the passion I have for kids with autism. I did a bit of research on it, applied, and here I am. I am grateful he told me about NECC. 

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

Yes! I am currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Education (MSEd): Autism Specialization with Severe Disabilities Licensure through the Simmons University program, and I am loving it so far. It has transformed my teaching style in terms of the use of the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia (ACE) software system, paying attention to instructions, reading prompts, and error corrections. 

Who is someone you look up to?

I have two people I look up to, one of whom is my grandpa, who was a teacher for close to 40 years. He always said, “To be the best in a student’s life, you must constantly learn, embrace hard work, and remain resilient and patient.” The second is Vinnie Strully – yes, our own Vinnie. He has taught me that there’s hope for anyone, especially children with autism and behavioral disorders. He has impacted many homes and lives. Even if I can’t do everything he did, I hope to do some of it, which will positively impact the lives of others. 

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

My colleagues may be surprised to know that I used to be a rapper in high school. I used to rap to songs by DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Fat Joe, Sarkodie, and others. 

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

My philosophy in life is, “In a world where you can be anything, just be kind.” It is a quote that encourages choosing empathy, compassion, and respect over other traits, emphasizing that while you can pursue many roles or goals, kindness is a universally impactful action that can change lives, improve days, and bridge gaps between people.