Intensive Education Academy Appoints New Executive Director

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Intensive Education Academy of West Hartford has chosen its next executive director, and she comes with years of experience in the education and business worlds.

Lori Susi — currently the assistant director of Enhanced Services Programs at the University of Connecticut's Center for Students with Disabilities — has been appointed to lead the school, which teaches students with special needs using individualized learning.

She will start on July 5, officials said.

Prior to her time at UConn, Susi taught in several school districts and was a principal and an assistant principal at schools in Lyme-Old Lyme, East Haddam and Salem. She also served as athletic director at Haddam-Killingworth High School.

Outside of education, Susi has operated a family business and worked for insurance company Colonial Life and telecommunications company MCI Communications.

"IEA is thrilled to have Ms. Susi bring her talent and passion to our 'school built on love,'" IEA President Christopher Joplin said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to provide an excellent education and welcoming community for our students and families, and we are excited for IEA's next chapter under Ms. Susi's leadership."

Susi will replace current Executive Director Jeffrey Forman, who will help her transition into the role, then retire at the end of July. She was chosen after a search done by Cooperative Educational Services (CES), whose consultants facilitated the interview process.

"I feel fortunate and inspired by the positive energy and determined perspectives of the IEA staff, students, and families," Susi said in a statement. "I look forward to watching our students seek out new possibilities and feel the support of our teachers and staff everyday."

Susi earned a bachelor of science in corporate communication, a masters certification in elementary education and a sixth-year degree in education leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.