Amy Feucht, Admissions Director at Wayside, Framingham, MA

Amy Feucht coined the phrase "kid dynamics" and operationalizes it every time she interviews new staff at Wayside.  "We look for traits. We want staff with confidence, patience, who can hold their space on the floor but are not aggressive, who can build a sense of safety, be relaxed and have fun. Kid dynamics," she says with a playful toss of the head. She believes that building relationships with youth is most important, adding, "Treat them as respectfully as you’d want anyone to be treated."

Asked about her personal involvement with physical restraints throughout her 12 years at Wayside, Ms. Feucht was forthcoming, "I have used restraints and it never feels good."