Boston (8/17/23) – The Home for Little Wanderers announced today that it has appointed William Baga of Somerset to lead Clifford Academy, The Home’s special education school in Walpole for students experiencing emotional, bahavioral and/or learning difficulties.
The program at Clifford Academy addresses educational, psychological, and behavioral challenges and its unique classroom environment aims at improving academic success, enhancing social and life skills, and returning students as quickly as possible to a less intensive educational setting.
The program at Clifford Academy addresses educational, psychological, and behavioral challenges and its unique classroom environment aims at improving academic success, enhancing social and life skills, and returning students as quickly as possible to a less intensive educational setting.
“William’s energy, experience, and vision for Clifford Academy will play an immeasurable role in the social, emotional, and educational development of our students,” said Lesli Suggs, LICSW, President and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers. “Being away from their communities is challenging for our students, so we want them to have the best experiences and opportunities while they are here and the quickest, most successful return home. I am confident William will create an environment that helps our students build a strong foundation for success and I look forward to working with him.”
Baga joins Clifford Academy from Boston Prep, a charter school in Boston’s Hyde Park, where he was assistant principal of the high school. Previously, he taught math in Boston Public Schools for 12 years, where he was an inclusion math teacher working in special education, in general education, and with English-language learners. Baga also held a position as Head of Data for the Foxborough Regional Charter School.
Baga says he was drawn to Clifford Academy because of the opportunity to create a stronger educational and structural connection between the vocational program and the in-classroom curriculum. Clifford Academy provides students with the opportunity to enhance their middle school or high school educational experience with hands-on vocational training. Students participate in on-site horticulture, small machinery, and culinary programs as well as many different off-site opportunities. The goal of these experiences is to develop the universal skills required for most workers. Focus areas include attendance and punctuality, following directions, communicating work-related issues/concerns, developing effective working relationships with co-workers, developing specific job skill acquisition, and demonstrating increased independence in completing work tasks.
“With the supports at The Home, there are no limits to what the kids can do,” said Baga. “These are extremely resilient kids, and I’m just honored and excited to be able to work with them, to help them bridge to situations that might have been more challenging to get to the points in life where they are thriving.”
To assist students to become more active learners and make substantial academic gains, Clifford Academy provides a year-round engaging and comprehensive program focused on education, career development, recreation/fitness, and an individualized therapeutic approach. These areas of focus are essential in helping students build self-esteem and become active members of their communities by reducing academic and behavioral regression, promoting positive social skills, and providing exercise and fun.
Baga holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a STEM Focus from UMass Lowell, a Masters in Secondary Math Education and Students with Moderate Disabilities from UMass Boston, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross. He is a graduate of Randolph High School and currently lives in Somerset with his wife and 9-year-old daughter.
