BEVERLY — Joan Hoffman's son used to be so nervous at school that he'd hide under his desk.

"It was his way of protecting himself," she said.

But in seventh grade, he entered New England Academy, a school geared toward students with emotional and social disorders, at the Cummings Center and met its founder, Ryan Plosker.

Everything changed.

"He saved my son's life," said Hoffman, who lives in Carlisle. "Now he sees himself as a kid who's going to have a future."

Plosker was one of 10 educators recognized for their work by the Asperger's Association of New England.

"There's so many teachers out there who have done such an incredible job working with students with Asperger's," Executive Director Dania Jekel said. "Often, they're not acknowledged."

So three years ago, they decided to change that and take nominations throughout the year before choosing the winners.

"What we look for are people who actually make huge differences in people's lives," said Jean Stern, director of children services. "We ask people to write a letter that really describes specific attributes as to why this person is distinctly different from other educators."

Hoffman was one of the parents who nominated Plosker for the award.

"I feel very honored," Plosker said. He didn't even know his name had been submitted until he received an e-mail from the nonprofit congratulating him and inviting him to their conference at the beginning of October.

According to the Asperger's Association Web site, Ryan was recognized for designing a program to help build self-esteem and confidence.

"Ryan focuses on students' strengths, passionate in belief that every child has the right to a quality education," it says under his name.

For Hoffman and her son Jacob, the statement rings true.

Up until middle school, Jacob didn't have any friends, she said. He was never invited anywhere, never picked for sports teams and had problems in social situations — a part of having Asperger's, a disorder on the autism spectrum.

"He hated himself," she said. "He thought something was horribly wrong with him. But when Ryan came in the picture, the first day we met him I was like, 'Oh my God, he really understands Jacob.'"

She remembers her son was nervous and was making circles with his finger on Plosker's desk to try to calm himself down.

"Ryan didn't blink an eye," she said. "He was able to get more information out of him than I think any other teacher has. When Jacob talks to Ryan, he feels respected."

Now he's made lasting friendships, gets invited to events and feels like a part of the school community.

"Any 15-year-old deserves to go to parties," Hoffman said.

She didn't think twice about nominating Plosker for the award.

"I don't think," she said, "that there's a more deserving person."

Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.