News / Press

For Immediate Release October 10, 2026

HAMDEN, Conn. — October 10, 2026 — Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Seales as Assistant Principal of the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program, located at Perry Hill School in Shelton, Connecticut. Seales will officially begin her new role on October 26, 2026.

Seales brings more than 20 years of experience in education, including instructional leadership, curriculum development, early childhood education, and professional learning. Since 2021, she has served as a Professional Learning Specialist in the ACES Professional Development and School Improvement Unit, working collaboratively with school districts and educators to strengthen instructional practices, implement student support systems, and improve educational outcomes.

In her new role, Seales will work alongside Principal Cynthia Ratchelous, who also serves as ACES Director of Collaborative Student Support Services, to provide instructional leadership, oversee daily operations, and support the continued growth of the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program. Together, they will focus on strengthening educational programming, supporting staff, and fostering meaningful partnerships with families and participating school districts to ensure positive outcomes for students.

Now in its second year, the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program reflects an ongoing collaboration between ACES and Shelton Public Schools to provide specialized early childhood educational services. Located at Perry Hill School in Shelton, the program serves young children with autism and related developmental disabilities through individualized instruction grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As the program continues to grow, Seales will work closely with Ratchelous and the Shelton school community to build upon the foundation established during its first year and support the program's continued development.

“As we enter our second year of the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program, we are excited to welcome Lisa to our leadership team,” said Cynthia Ratchelous, ACES Director of Collaborative Student Support Services and Principal of the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program. “Her extensive experience in early childhood education, instructional leadership, and professional development will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our collaboration with Shelton Public Schools. I look forward to working alongside Lisa to build on the program's success and create meaningful learning opportunities for our students.”

The ACES Perry Hill NEST (Nurturing Early Support & Transitions) Program currently serves students in preschool through first grade, with plans for continued expansion. The program emphasizes communication, social interaction, adaptive behavior, school readiness, and early academic development through individualized instruction in a language-rich, supportive learning environment.

Throughout her career, Seales has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening educational programs and supporting student achievement. In her current position at ACES, she has worked with early childhood programs to align instructional practices with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and has supported educators in implementing developmentally appropriate, play-based learning. Her leadership in implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at a K–8 school contributed to a 20% reduction in students requiring Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within two years.

Prior to her current role, Seales served as an Acting Administrator and Grade 4 Team Leader at Brown Intermediate School in Madison, Connecticut, where she supported school operations, staff development, instructional planning, and school climate initiatives. Her professional background also includes serving as an instructor in the CREC Teacher Residency Program, an ESOL Lead Teacher for the ACES World English Language Learners program from 2014 to 2015, and a kindergarten teacher at Barnard Environmental Magnet School in New Haven.

Seales holds a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Reading and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, both from Sacred Heart University. She also completed educational leadership preparation at Sacred Heart University and comprehensive special education preparation through CREC. Her credentials include Connecticut Educational Leadership (092) and Comprehensive Special Education (165).

“Lisa's extensive experience in instructional leadership, early childhood education, and professional development will be a tremendous asset to the ACES Perry Hill NEST Program,” said Dr. William A. Rice, Executive Director of ACES. “Her knowledge of our agency, collaborative approach, and commitment to supporting educators and students position her well to help guide the program's continued growth and success.”

As Assistant Principal, Seales will help advance the program's mission of providing high-quality, individualized educational opportunities for young learners while strengthening the partnership between ACES and Shelton Public Schools.