In March, a remarkable milestone was celebrated as Cohorts 2 and 3 of the Simmons University master’s degree program in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) graduated from the program. The 25 graduates from the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by The New England Center for Children (MRC-NECC), representing 11 different countries, completed their coursework for the Master of Science in Education on January 31, culminating in a proud and emotional celebration of perseverance, growth, and dedication to the field of special education.
Among the graduates was Aldwin Galicia, a senior classroom teacher at MRC-NECC, who received the prestigious Dr. D. Daniel Gould Award for Global Excellence in Special Education Teaching in recognition of his dedication to his students and his continuing education journey.
“When (MRC-NECC executive Director Dr. Pam Olsen) announced my name as the recipient of the award, I could not believe it! I’m blessed with the chance to work and learn alongside passionate and dedicated teachers every day at MRC-NECC, which is already an award in itself,” he shared. “The real prize is witnessing students grow in ability and confidence. The real honor is walking the path paved by extraordinary pioneers, like Dr. Dan himself, striving to make a difference.”
This is the second year that MRC-NECC has bestowed the Dr. D. Daniel Gould Award on an NECC staff member graduating from the Simmons program. Before his untimely passing in August 2021, Dr. Gould was the executive director of MRC-NECC and was instrumental in bringing the Simmons master’s degree program to the Center.
“Everyone at MRC-NECC speaks highly of Dr. Dan,” said Galicia. “Even though I did not have the chance to work with him personally, I see his influence in the inspiring work of my supervisors.”
“Aldwin was the perfect choice for the Dr. D. Daniel Gould Award,” shared Chris Evans, MEd, chair of the education department and professor of practice in the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Simmons University. “Upon winning the award, Aldwin shared that he immediately thought of his mother and the sacrifices she made for him to have opportunities and access to a formal education. Aldwin, like many of his classmates, is a first-generation college graduate. This year’s graduates share a deep passion for culturally responsive teaching and understand the importance of bringing lived experiences into the classroom.”
Galicia joined MRC-NECC in August 2022, stepping into the world of special education from a very different background. Originally from Legazpi, a small city in the Philippines, he was teaching English and literature to high school students in Jakarta, Indonesia, before taking what he calls his “greatest leap of faith.”
“When I came to MRC-NECC, all I wanted was to explore another field in the big world of education,” he shared, adding that it provided an opportunity to advocate for inclusion and autism acceptance.
Though already a seasoned teacher with a decade of experience, Galicia found the transition into special education both challenging and transformative.
“Nothing would have prepared me for the challenges I faced as a novice special educator. My supportive team and the intensive trainings I received helped me become more confident and competent, and, before I knew it, I fell in love with the Center and the job,” he said.
Today, Galicia leads a team in the newly opened Transition Readiness Department, where eight students work through academic programs designed to help prepare them for more independent learning environments. Galicia credits the Simmons program with deepening his understanding of the special education field and enhancing his practice in meaningful ways.
“The whole program is hinged on the beautiful question: How do we ensure that everyone, of all backgrounds and capacities, learns?” he said. “There’s a huge emphasis on collaboration. We were exposed to practitioners and academics covering multiple areas like applied behavior analysis (ABA), the science of reading, occupational therapy, sheltered English instruction, and transition services. You come out of every class reflecting on your practices and perspectives as a teacher and, in turn, build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.”
As the graduates of the Simmons master’s program go on to shape the future of special education across the globe, Galicia’s story stands as a powerful example of the growth that can happen when courage, opportunity, and support align.
“There are so many reasons I chose to work at MRC-NECC,” he said. “It is composed of passionate individuals who want to see the best in each other and in the students. If you are open, you can grow so much as a teacher through the professional development programs that the Center generously offers.”