Matthew Clerk, a paraprofessional at Westbridge Academy, has been awarded the ASAH Region I Paraprofessional of the Year award for his outstanding service as a paraprofessional at Westbridge Academy.
“I do my best every single day. I really care about my students. They’re like my own family,”
– Matthew Clerk
Each year, ASAH, a membership association comprised of more than 150 private special education schools and agencies, recognizes educators who make a tremendous difference in the lives of students with disabilities. This year, Matthew was one of the many paraprofessionals nominated for demonstrating outstanding service within the special education community. He was selected the winner for Region I, which includes counties in northern and metro New Jersey.
Westbridge Academy, located in Bloomfield, is a New Jersey state-approved private school serving students ages 5-21 with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. The school combines individualized academics with therapeutic supports and a 6:1 student to teacher ratio. “Matthew exemplifies excellence and professionalism, so I am not surprised he was selected for this award,” said Dr. Viviana Litovsky, Executive Director at Westbridge. “Not only does Matthew listen to and understand each student, he engages and communicates with students in a way that motivates learning,” she added.
Matthew joins the ranks of other Westbridge Academy staff who have received recognition and accolades in the past.
Matthew will now compete with three other outstanding paraprofessionals for a statewide honor to be announced at the ASAH conference in Atlantic City on November 16, 2018.
