H-W hires new special education chief

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools announced this week Lori Freeman has been appointed executive director of Special Education, effective July 1. Freeman is assuming the role currently held by Elizabeth McGuire, who will retire from the district in June.

Freeman’s appointment was approved by the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education at its March 17th meeting. Her professional background includes 15 years as a special education teacher and three years as Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services for Middle Country Central School District in Centereach. In this capacity, she implemented and supervised the high school special education instructional programs, chaired the committee on Special Education and provided curriculum development support to the elementary schools within the district. In addition, she supervised the special education staff, served as the Compliance Officer and provided ongoing staff development for special education staff.

Concurrent with her position at the Middle Country Central School District, Freeman served as a certified trainer for the Wilson Reading System. Previously, she served as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels for the Massapequa School District, an educational evaluator, and a preschool special education teacher for both United Cerebral Palsy of New York and the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind.

Freeman received her Advanced Graduate Certificate in School District Administration from Stony Brook University, and earned a Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Yeshiva University. In addition, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Queens College.

Freeman was selected to serve as Hewlett-Woodmere's Executive Director of Special Education following an extensive and inclusive recruitment, screening and selection process.

“Ms. Freeman’s extensive special education background as both an administrator and a special education classroom teacher make her uniquely qualified to lead our special education department,” said Kathleen Anderson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services. “Her collaborative leadership style, as well as her passion and commitment to teaching, will help Ms. Freeman develop and support the best learning environments for all special education students in Hewlett-Woodmere.”

“One of my goals as executive director of special education will be to help students become more independent learners; to provide the most rigorous educational program we can, while meeting their individual needs,” said Freeman. “I look forward to working with the caring administration and staff at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools, and helping to move the district’s special education programs forward in ways that benefit all students.”