Haverhill resident Pam LaBella has always been passionate about helping people throughout her career, and understands the importance of providing support to people so they can succeed in their future endeavors.
Whether she is helping young students after school with their homework, training career professionals, or helping college students adapt to different types of Assistive Technology, she knows what it takes to help individuals work around their challenges.
LaBella, who is originally from Exeter, New Hampshire, started her education at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Mass. She later transferred to Worcester State University in Worcester, Mass. At Worcester State, LaBella studied education, and later graduated with a degree in teaching.
After graduating college, LaBella was hired at Lucent Technology (formerly Western Electric) in North Andover, Mass. According to LaBella, employees were required to undergo training sessions based upon their specific job, so they could perform job tasks more effectively. LaBella initially worked in the training department, but was later promoted to training coordinator for a larger department. In this position, LaBella would schedule mandatory training classes the employees were required to attend.
In 2002, LaBella was hired by Northern Essex Community College to work in the Center for Accessibility Resources and Services (CARS) Department as an assistive technology specialist, a position that she greatly enjoys.
“There are two things about my position that I enjoy. I love working with students, exposing them to different types of assistive technology software, and explaining how they will benefit from this software. I also like the variety in my position, as I can do many different things outside of Assistive Technology as well.” She said.
During this same time, from 2002 to 2013, LaBella worked at Haverhill’s Discovery Program, an after school homework support and enrichment program, which provides academic support to elementary and middle school students.
LaBella has also organized and co-hosted multiple accessibility and resource workshops at Northern Essex, including a note taking workshop, and a workshop on using brainstorming software to help students plan and organize their written work.
LaBella is also responsible for maintaining several databases that she has created for the Center for Accessibility Resources and Services (CARS) Department. Specifically, LaBella maintains a database that keeps track of the assistive technology devices, as many are loaned out to students. She also uses an alternative textbook database that she created, so that she can track alternative textbook files for students.
LaBella further explains that she has had many memorable experiences throughout her career, but one in particular stands out that happened in her current position.
“I recall one experience where I was working with a student to review her Alternative Textbook accommodations. The student started to cry because she was incredibly happy that she could have this accommodation in place that would allow her to easily access course materials, something that was a challenge before.” She said.
Outside of work, LaBella has many hobbies and interests. She enjoys sewing, doing crafts, doing puzzles, baking, and spending time with family. LaBella also enjoys spending time outdoors, where she can often be found hiking on woodland trails in North Conway, N.H.
Editor’s note: If you or a student you know needs help with accessibility, please contact the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services by calling 978-556-3654 or emailing centerforaccess@necc.mass.edu.
