Nicole B. Celebrates 14 Years at High Road School of Wallingford

Celebrating 14 Years at High Road School

For 14 years, Nicole Beckett has provided a steady, joyful presence at the High Road School of Wallingford. She started as a one-to-one paraprofessional and today works as the school’s administrative assistant. During her time at High Road, she’s watched students grow from young children into young adults, and she says her work still feels as meaningful as it did on her first day.

A Path to Education Rooted in Experience

Beckett’s path to education began unexpectedly. In her early 20s, she nannied for a young boy with autism, which was her first experience with someone on the spectrum. When he entered school, she began looking for a job that would allow her to continue working with members of the autism community. That search led her to High Road.

Watching Students Grow, One Milestone at a Time

For Beckett, the best part of her work is witnessing student growth, sometimes in major milestones and sometimes in small steps that represent years of effort.

“I’ve known some of our kids since they were 5 years old,” she said. “Now they’re graduating. Watching them change from year to year is incredible.”

Building Meaningful Connections With Families

She also values the relationships she builds with families. In her current role, she communicates regularly with parents and caregivers and says getting to know them has been one of the unexpected highlights of her career.

One moment that stands out for Beckett involved a former student who transitioned to public school for his junior and senior years. “His grandmother called to thank the entire High Road team,” she said. “He earned high honors at public school, and now he’s in college. Knowing we helped him get there means everything.”

Big Victories, Small Victories, and Everything Between

She says she is equally proud of smaller victories, such as a student tying their shoes for the first time after years of practice. “Those little moments matter just as much.”

Beckett encourages new staff to lead with patience and empathy. “You never know what a student has been through that morning or over the weekend,” she said. “Be open-minded. And don’t take things personally. One day they might be upset with you, and the next day they’re giving you a hug.”

A Close-Knit Team That Feels Like Family

She describes the staff as close-knit, something she credits to the nature of the work and the school’s supportive culture. “When you know people well, you know they have your back,” she said. “We’ve formed friendships that will last forever.” She adds that several colleagues have shaped her professional growth, including her “go-to,” Susan Konareski, and staff members Ms. Tatta and Mrs. Perrelli, whose humor brightens the day.

Fun Fridays That Bring Out Hidden Talents

Beckett lights up when she talks about Fun Fridays, a weekly tradition led by the school’s social workers. Whether students are singing karaoke, painting, or competing in a Cake Boss-style decorating challenge, she loves watching them express talents that do not always surface in the classroom. “You discover things you never knew, like a student who can really sing or one who makes a cake that looks like it came from a bakery,” she said. “It’s amazing to see.”

Outside of work, Beckett is active in the Music Parents Association and supports her son in his high school marching band. She loves cheering on the students and watching their dramatic improvement from the first performance of the season to the last.

A Career That Still Feels Meaningful

Even after all this time, Beckett says her work still feels new. “It doesn’t feel like 14 years at all,” she said. “The staff and directors are an amazing group of people. I’m proud and lucky to be part of it.”