Susana Velez is an experienced educator with over 15 years of progressive leadership in specialized education programs. She currently serves as Director of Education Services at Easterseals South Florida, where she leads the development and implementation of high-quality educational programs that support children with diverse learning and behavioral needs, including early childhood, pre-K, elementary, middle school, and high school programs, Culinary Arts training, and after-school and summer programs.
Throughout her career at Easterseals, starting in 2010, Susana has held key leadership roles, including School Director and Assistant Principal, where she has successfully managed multidisciplinary teams, supervised staff development, and ensured the implementation of effective educational and behavioral strategies. She is highly skilled in program administration, staff training, and fostering collaborative relationships with families, educators, and community partners.
Susana’s background also includes experience in mental health counseling and family support services, providing her with a strong foundation in addressing the social-emotional needs of children and families. She has extensive experience in crisis intervention, individualized planning, and facilitating therapeutic and educational programs.
Susana holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, along with degrees in Psychology, and maintains specialized certifications in areas such as trauma-informed care, autism support (TEACCH), Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT-U) Coach. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Susana is committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and high-quality learning environments that empower children and strengthen families.