Tag: western new england university

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: MaKenzie Briere, MS, MSEd, BCBA, LABA

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.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Grace “Grasya” Smith

Grace “Grasya” Smith has worked as a clinical residential program coordinator for The New England Center for Children for two and a half years. She was nominated by her colleagues because “when she is on shift, we feel her presence and support. When we see Grasya, we are instantly relieved.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Ronan Bustamante

Ronan Bustamante joined The New England Center for Children (NECC) in March 2022 and currently works as a level 2 teacher for NECC’s Westborough 1 residence. He was nominated by a colleague because he “goes above and beyond to help students and staff.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Sarah LaPierre

Sarah LaPierre currently serves as a teacher at NECC’s Michael F. Downey Center for Child Development, but she initially joined NECC as a teacher in the residential programs in 2017. She was nominated by her colleagues because her love for children shines through in everything she does.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Allison Bergenholtz, PhD, BCBA, LABA

Allison Bergenholtz, PhD, BCBA, LABA, currently serves as NECC’s director of Professional Development, but she began her career at NECC as a teacher 16 years ago. She was nominated by her colleagues because she not only has been “an outstanding collaborator” and an “excellent advocate for teachers”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Jayne Colantonio, MSEd, BCBA

Though Jayne Colantonio, MSEd, BCBA, found her way to The New England Center for Children (NECC) somewhat by accident, she has stayed for nearly a decade. Colantonio, a senior education coordinator in NECC’s Intensive Instruction Program (IIP), was nominated because “she has been an amazing boss and a great mentor.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Tom Freeman

Tom Freeman, a residential coordinator for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Intensive Treatment Team (ITT), has worked for NECC for two years. He was nominated by a colleague because he “always puts the boys’ and the team’s best interests first.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Lauren Rae

Lauren Rae, a day coordinator for The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) Intensive Treatment Team (ITT), has worked for NECC for six years. She was nominated by a colleague because she is “an extremely effective and compassionate supervisor.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Abbey Kelley

Abbey Kelley found her way to The New England Center for Children (NECC) as a summer intern in 2021 and is now a level 2 teacher. She was nominated by a colleague because she “consistently has a positive attitude and is always willing to do what’s best for the team.”