Vanesa Valdes, a level 2 teacher for NECC’s Salem End Road residential team, was nominated for Staff Spotlight because she “goes above and beyond to make meaningful relationships with her students and is always willing to help fellow staff. Vanesa is a great resource and is so supportive!”
Bailey Williams has worked as a level 2 teacher for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Intensive Instruction Program (IIP) for a year. She was nominated by a colleague because she has “the most positive attitude. She’s always willing to drop whatever she’s doing and help out.”
Sheila Pickett, MS, BCBA, LABA, a vocational specialist in The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Vocational Department, was nominated for Staff Spotlight because she is “passionate about vocational services and setting students up for success, both now and in adulthood.”
Kelsey Mellekas, MSEd, BCBA, LABA, has worked for The New England Center for Children for ten years. She was nominated for Staff Spotlight because “she is an amazing supervisor who is always there to support each member of the team.”
Amy Doyle, a level 2 teacher and core shift manager (CSM) for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Higley Road residential team, has worked at NECC since September 2022. She was nominated by a colleague because of the support she provides for her team.
Irene Looi, MS, BCBA, LABA, a program specialist at NECC, has been able to nurture her dedication to ABA through the Western New England graduate program offered at NECC. Recently, she presented her research at the WNE Colloquium, exchanging ideas and research insights with like-minded colleagues passionate about this field.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by NECC (MRC-NECC) celebrated the graduation of the first-ever Simmons UAE cohort. Alya Al-Suwaidi was presented with the Gould Award for Global Excellence in Special Education Teaching, a testament to her dedication and impact in the field of special education.
MaKenzie Briere, MS, MSEd, BCBA, LABA, has worked for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Intensive Treatment Team (ITT) since 2015, serving in a number of roles, including her current position as program specialist for ITT Apartment 4.
Alexander Aspuru has worked as a level 2 teacher at NECC since August 2021. He was nominated for Staff Spotlight because “He always has a positive demeanor on shift, interacts wonderfully with students, and is a great role model when it comes to following NECC and team guidelines.”