New behavioral specialist shares rewards of position

Clara Murray is returning to Northern Dutchess to assume her role as a behavioral specialist for the Webutuck Central School District. The Red Hook native still has family in the area.

“I love it here,” she said. “This is a wonderful, tight-knit community and I couldn’t be happier.”

Murray is assigned to work in all three district schools.

“I work with our high-need students, especially those who are having behavioral challenges that might interfere with their instruction,” she said.

Murray added, “I meet students as I go into classrooms and support. That will continue. I look forward to getting to know more students as I get into more classrooms. The student body seems very invested in the school community. The kids I’ve met so far have been really friendly and I can tell they are getting a lot of good support.”

Murray explained the rewards of her position.

“I enjoy seeing the progress – the little baby steps they take every day, and seeing where they start out in the fall and end up in the spring is amazing,” she said. “Seeing the students’ progress is why I get up every morning.”

Murray now lives in Putnam County. She earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, and math and science from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and received her master’s degree in education from Mercy College.

Murray enjoys yoga, gardening, art and spending time with her two sons.