Longtime employee, Grace Hernandez was recently honored by the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped (ASAH) as the Region 1 Paraprofessional of the Year. Ms. Hernandez proudly received her award at the organization’s annual conference in Atlantic City, NJ. The conference theme, “Creating a Better World,” is one Ms. Hernandez has based her career on. “I was extremely humbled by this award. My entire career has been at St. Joseph’s,” she said.
It was a promise to her late mother however, that propelled her to also continue her education while working tirelessly at St. Joseph’s as a paraprofessional. Since receiving the award, Ms. Hernandez has completed her bachelor’s degree in special education with high honors and is now pursuing her Master’s degree. “I will also be starting my classes to attain my Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) certificate. I have had so many wonderful experience at St. Joseph’s. I’m where I’m meant to be,” she said.
Her hard work and dedication has not only garnered her a prestigious award, she has also been promoted to a teacher position at. St. Joseph’s. “Every night when I go home, I ask myself, what can I do to make my student’s lives better tomorrow.”
Who is ASAH?
ASAH is a not-for-profit organization of private schools and agencies in New Jersey which provide highly specialized services to more than 10,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities. Founded in 1974, ASAH now serves 129 schools and agencies throughout the state. To learn more about the organization, visit their website at:
https://www.asah.org/