Press Releases

ACES Whitney Academy Promotes Juliellen Rodriguez As New Principal

August 16th, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(North Haven, CT – August 16, 2022) Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is pleased to announce the promotion of Juliellen Rodriguez as Principal of ACES Whitney Academy. Ms. Rodriguez, who most recently served as Assistant Principal at ACES Whitney Academy, has been promoted to building Principal effective August 16, 2022. Juliellen will be leading ACES Whitney Academy in its work with special needs students between the ages of 14 to 21, who exhibit a range of cognitive, physical, behavioral, language and medical challenges.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue to deliver excellent teaching and learning to our Whitney Academy students and their families under the leadership of Juliellen Rodriguez,” said Dr. Thomas Danehy, Executive Director of ACES. “Her overall experience and skills embody the ACES mission of transforming lives through education, innovation, and leadership. She will bring a wealth of knowledge and provide equity in learning for students with special needs.”

Prior to accepting the role as Principal and Assistant Principal at ACES Whitney Academy, Ms. Rodriguez spent the past decade as a special education teacher at John Barry Elementary and Venture Academy in Meriden, as well as Department Chair in Venture Academy.

Ms. Rodriguez holds a sixth-year degree in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education/Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Spanish Language from Southern Connecticut State University.  

“I am honored to be appointed Principal of ACES Whitney Academy. Serving in the role of principal at such an inclusive and dynamic school has been my lifelong dream,” said Juliellen Rodriguez. “I look forward to continuing to build partnerships with families, students, staff, agency members, and district stakeholders, but most of all; I look forward to seeing the growth our students can make in the coming years as we all work together as a team to realize their success!”

ACES Whitney Academy is a therapeutic environment dedicated to serving special needs students. In addition to its academic mission, the school places a strong emphasis on transition related to life and work, including self-advocacy and self-determination. These areas establish the foundation for all student programming. The program also functions within the three transition areas (employment, independent living, and community participation), which are foremost in planning for ACES Whitney Academy students.

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex Counties. Established in 1969, ACES strives each day to fulfill its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world, one life at a time. ACES serves its members districts and others through an ever-growing array of programs, services, and schools that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. As a school district, ACES operates three magnet and eight special education schools. ACES services range from transportation, professional development, school improvement services, technology, translation, international, security, and occupational and physical therapy. ACES operates the Open and Magnet School Parent Choice programs for New Haven County. Its programs include a federally funded Early Head Start Program and ACES ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically disabled adults ages 21 and older. For more information, go to www.aces.org.