Kyle Gordon has worked for The New England Center for Children (NECC) for nearly three years and currently serves as a level 2 teacher for NECC’s Intensive Instruction Program (IIP). He was nominated by a colleague because he is “extremely helpful and always putting the students first. He dedicates himself to every student’s program and their progress. He takes what he’s learning in the Simmons University master’s degree program and applies it when working with the students to help them reach their maximum potential. Most importantly, he is ALWAYS kind to everyone.”
How long have you worked at NECC?
I joined NECC in February 2021 as a behavior health technician (BHT) on School Street. In August 2021, I became a Level 2 Teacher on School Street and stayed in that position until June 2023, when I moved to Cohort E on the IIP. I have also been in a case manager role since the 2022-23 contract year.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is those tiny moments of understated significance between me as a teacher and my students. A single verbal response or correct answer on a teaching trial can externally appear very small, but it often represents months of repeated practice and effort on the part of both instructor and student. That type of shared success is incredibly rewarding for me.
Why did you choose a career in helping children with autism?
I find the work of teaching children with autism very interesting; at times it can be challenging, but it is also highly rewarding. That in and of itself motivates me to work in the field. I am also very privileged to be able to know my students in an intimate way, something that shows me all the best things about them. I believe it is important to communicate that goodness to as many people as I can to improve outcomes for individuals with autism.
Why NECC?
NECC teachers and researchers are doing incredible work each day, both caring for their students and contributing to the world’s knowledge of autism, and I wanted to be a meaningful part of that team. I have chosen to stay because my supervisors have always shown me dignity and compassion and have demonstrated that they care about me and my growth.
Have you taken advantage of any of the grad programs?
I am working my way through the Simmons University MSEd with Licensure program. This semester, I took a class on assessment and curriculum modification for learners with autism, which has significantly refined my teaching repertoire and style. I have been able to take lessons from that course and apply them right away in my daily work setting, and that has been quite valuable for my improvement as a teacher.
What is something about you that your colleagues may be surprised to learn?
I lived in Shizuoka City, Japan for three years working as an ESL teacher before coming to NECC, and I can speak Japanese pretty fluently. While I lived there, I joined two different community orchestras with only Japanese-speaking members and took lessons to learn to play the shakuhachi (a Japanese bamboo end-blown flute).
Who is someone you look up to?
I look up to Former President Barack Obama. From everything I saw while he was president, he was always good to everyone he met, and he exemplified compassionate leadership. I see many of my own values in him.
What is your life philosophy or motto you like to live by?
“Give yourself grace.”