Dana Ackerley came to NCIA in 2002 as a diploma track science teacher, having just completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from the State University of New York at Cortland. Although she did not have an educational background in special education, Dana had many years of practical experience working with people with significant disabilities through part-time jobs as a teacher’s assistant and residential associate. Ever since she was in high school, Dana has wanted to work with people with significant disabilities. When she graduated from college, Dana chose to work at NCIA because it gave her the opportunity to work with youth who have severe emotional and behavioral challenges and who are most in need.

Dana says she loves working at the NCIA Youth in Transition School because “it is not a traditional teaching environment. You are a lot more like family to the students here.” Dana feels rewarded in her job by the successes she has seen her students have and the strong bonds she has formed with them. “The students here need positive influences in their lives,” she says. “It makes me feel great that I can be that positive influence for them, and give them the strong support system they need.”

Professionally speaking: “My career is everything to me. I am able to do what I love every day, and go home every night having accomplished something great.”

Personally speaking: “This job is an outlet for what I love to do. I never thought I’d have a job straight out of college that I absolutely love.”

NCIA is: perseverance, never give up, joy

• Dana Ackerley, Director of Education
• Robinette Cager, Human Resources Assistant
• Cynthia Hodge, Residential Director
• K, NCIA Student
• Latasha Nelson, Client
• Johnny Pilgrim, Operations Manager
• Tom Scott, Executive Director
• Corrine Waters, Art Instructor