The new school year began Wednesday for the Intensive Education Academy in West Hartford.

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Sixty-nine students walked through the doors of the Intensive Education Academy (IEA) Wednesday as the school commenced its 48th year.

Executive Director Jeffrey L. Forman and Assistant Director of Education Tracy Barbour, greeted each student as they arrived. “IEA is known as the school built on love,” said Barbour. “The first day of school is one of the greatest illustrations of that. Our students are excited to be back, and our staff are equally as excited to see them, it’s wonderful to see.”

In addition to 10 new students, IEA welcomed several new staff members. Brenda Barnes joined IEA’s high school team as a special education teacher. Barnes holds a masters degree in special education and has worked at a number of schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Allison Barney also joined the team as a speech-language pathologist. Barney holds a masters degree from Emerson College and most recently worked at the Naylor School in Hartford.

A number of teaching assistants have joined the staff as well.

IEA looks forward to many exciting developments this school year, including a new outdoor education area, further refinement of the post graduate transition program, and an additional van for student field trips and transportation for work placements.

“Each school year brings not only new opportunities for our students, but for our school as well,” said Forman. “It is our responsibility to identify and embrace those opportunities so that our students and our school continue to evolve.”

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