Helen Hedman, MSEd, would do anything for her students. Including running 26.2 miles while raising money as a member of NECC’s Boston Marathon team.
“I decided to run the Boston Marathon for Team NECC to give back to my students who have taught me so much about myself, and to give back to the school that has allowed me to advance in my education and career,” said Hedman, a senior education coordinator for the West 1 residential team. “I wanted to run to help raise funds that will directly impact our students.”
Through this experience, Hedman learned just how passionate she is about advocating for her students, a feeling that has grown exponentially in the six years she has worked at NECC.
“When I initially started at NECC, I had never worked with students with autism,” she explained. “I knew I wanted to work with children but was not sure in what capacity. I quickly grew to love working with my students and have been able to see the positive impact the school has on so many students’ lives and the families who support them. I have learned so much from every one of my students.”
Hedman learned about NECC through family and friends who had previously worked at the school and was hired upon graduating from Hartwick College in 2018. She joined the Higley residential team, working as a level 2 teacher, core shift manager, and education assistant before moving to West 1. “I was lucky to have great mentors and experiences on Higley who taught me a lot about what I wanted to do at NECC,” she said.
During that time, Hedman invested in her professional development; she completed the Simmons University Master of Science in Education with an autism specialization program in May of 2021 and is currently taking courses through Western New England University’s specialized program in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Now, as an education coordinator, she focuses on developing and implementing individualized education plans (IEP) for all nine students on her team and helps train staff on how to implement student programs and be case managers.
“My favorite part about my job is my students,” Hedman said. “I love celebrating their successes, no matter how big or small. Seeing them grow and how their growth impacts so many aspects of their lives is the most rewarding part of my job. I also work with an incredible team of staff who go above and beyond to make their students’ days better.”
Though the physical marathon from Hopkinton to Boston is done, Hedman isn’t. “I hope to stay at NECC and possibly explore other career opportunities that NECC has to offer,” she said.
Editor’s Note: In April, Hedman completed the Boston Marathon and raised nearly $13,600 for NECC.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of Insight.