Episode 42 - David Faber

 

This week I am joined by Mr. David Faber, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan. Dave talks about his role as superintendent and what led him to that position for Grand Rapids. He also discusses his vision for special education and highlights some success stories of inclusion in the diocese. For more information about Dave, please email him at dfaber@dioceseofgrandrapids.org. For more information about the Diocese of Grand Rapids Schools, please visit http://www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/schools/Pages/Schools.aspx#.Wq3RrmaZMWo

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Episode 41 - Valerie Mara

 

This week I am joined by Mrs. Valerie Mara, Assistant Superintendent of Academics for the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Catholic Schools. Val discusses all the various roads that led her to the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Catholic schools from working with troubled youth to assistant superintendent. She details her academic and testing role in curriculum for the Archdiocese as well as her passionate vision for special education including her detailed plan for working with students with disabilities. For more information about Val, please email her at valerie.mara@aohct.org. For more information about the Archdiocese of Hartford, Catholic Schools please visit http://catholicedaohct.org/about

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Episode 40 - Kathy Mears

This week I am joined by Mrs. Kathy Mears, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Boston. Kathy discusses her role as superintendent for the Archdiocese of Boston and her journey to there as a former teacher and creator of special education programs in other dioceses. Kathy also discusses special education programs in her Archdiocese and the successes of their programs. She offers ideas to other dioceses for beginning special education programs. For more information about Kathy, please email her at Kmears@rcab.org. For more information about the Archdiocese of Boston schools, please visit http://www.bostoncatholic.org/CatholicSchoolsOffice.aspx. 

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Episode 39 - Debbie Orr

This week I am joined by Ms. Debbie Orr, Head of School at Notre Dame Academy, in Duluth, GA. Debbie discusses her journey to Notre Dame Academy and what led to the school's creation. She also discusses the students that are serviced at Notre Dame Academy from "diapers to diplomas" as she calls it. She talks about how the school is meeting the needs of their diverse populations as the move through the grade levels. For more information about Debbie, please email her at dorr@ndacademy.org. For more information about Notre Dame Academy, please visit https://www.ndacademy.org. 

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Episode 38 - Dr. Shauna Adams

This week I am joined at the 2018 NCEA Conference by Dr. Timothy Uhl, Superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools. Tim presents a session at the conference on how to podcast including subscription services and how to publish. We also sit down and speak about the joys of podcasting and my background in special education. He also discusses past guests and takes questions from the audience. For more information about Tim, please email him at uhltimothy@gmail.com. For more information about Catholic School Matters, please visit drtimuhl.com.

 

This week I am joined at the 2018 NCEA conference in Cincinnati by Dr. Shauna Adams, Associate Professor of Early Childhood at the University of Dayton. Shauna talks about Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP), what they are and what they look like in the early childhood classroom. She also discusses the difference between delay and disability and the five areas of delay. She also addressed ways delays can be addressed in the classroom and by parents at home. Finally, she offers advice to early childhood teachers on working with young children. 

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Episode 37 - Dr. Timothy Uhl

This week I am joined at the 2018 NCEA Conference by Dr. Timothy Uhl, Superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools. Tim presents a session at the conference on how to podcast including subscription services and how to publish. We also sit down and speak about the joys of podcasting and my background in special education. He also discusses past guests and takes questions from the audience. For more information about Tim, please email him at uhltimothy@gmail.com. For more information about Catholic School Matters, please visit drtimuhl.com. 

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Episode 36 - Andrea Chavez-Kopp

This week I am joined by Mrs. Andrea Chavez-Kopp, Assistant Director for Educational and Formation Programs for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Andrea speaks about her role at NCEA and the upcoming NCEA conference in Cincinnati. She highlights the different sessions available for those who would like to know more about inclusive Catholic education and exceptional learners. She also speaks about how to get ready to attend the conference and other tidbits the attendee might need. For more information about Andrea, please email her at AKopp@ncea.org. For more information about NCEA and the conference, please visit, https://www.ncea.org. 

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Episode 35 - Mrs. Colleen McCoy-Cejka

This week, I am joined by Mrs. Colleen McCoy-Cejka, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Phoenix. Coleen discusses her background as well as the vision for special education in the Diocese of Phoenix. Coleen discusses the success stories for the inclusion of students with disabilities in her diocese including her Bishop's vision for special education. To visit the manual Colleen discusses, please visit http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=2019932&backurl=/shelf/my/ . For more information about Colleen, please email her at cmccoy-cejka@dphx.org. For more information about the Diocese of Phoenix, please visit https://dphx.org/catholic-schools-universities/. 

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Episode 34 - Daniel Ferris

This week I am joined by Mr. Daniel Ferris, Superintendent of Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. Dan discusses the Diocese of Providence and its schools. He also talks about his vision for special education and the programs that are available in his dioceses for students with disabilities. For more information about Dan, please email him at dferris@dioceseofprovidence.org. For more information about the Diocese of Providence, please visit https://dioceseofprovidence.org/education. 

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Episode 33 - Dr. Sean Smith

This week, I am joined by Dr. Sean Smith, Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Sean speaks about technology options that students with disabilities can access in the classroom. Sean presents a very thorough, research-based, and applicable way that students can access technology in the classroom no matter the budget level of the school. For more information about Sean, please email him at seanj@ku.edu. For more information about the programs or apps Sean discusses please visit Google Classroom (https://classroom.google.com/signup), Google Docs (https://www.google.com/docs/about/),  Chrome (https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html), Newsela (https://newsela.com), CoWriter Universal (https://cowriter.com), Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org), Inspiration or Kidspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration), Start to Finish (http://donjohnston.com/stfonline/), and Flocabulary (https://www.flocabulary.com).

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Episode 32 - Rene Berkhammer

This week, I am joined by Mrs. Rene Berkhammer, secondary life skills teacher and transition coordinator at John Paul II Special Learning Center for Children and Adults in Shillington, Pennsylvania. Rene speaks about the John Paul II center and all the different disabilities that the center serves. She also speaks about the necessity for her students to be proficient in functional academics and other areas to promote independence. For more information about Rene, please email her at rberkhammer@johnpauliicenter.org. For more information about John Paul II center, please visit http://johnpauliicenter.org.  

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Episode 31 - Dan Tully

This week I am joined by Mr. Daniel Tully, Principal of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois. Dan speaks about his journey to becoming principal of Notre Dame College Prep as a former student, teacher and now administrator of that school. Dan highlights the distinctive programs in his school that meet the needs of students with disabilities at his school even including the inclusivity of his school as the mission statement for the school. Finally, Dan offers advice to principals who might be looking into becoming a more inclusive school. For more information about Dan, please email him at dtully@ndhsdons.org. For more information about Notre Dame College Prep, please visit http://www.nddons.org/s/1034/16/sta

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Episode 30 - Fr. Manny Alvarez

In this special Ash Wednesday episode, I am joined by Fr. Manny Alvarez, pastor at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hialeah, Florida for the Archdiocese of Miami. Fr. Manny will speak about the role of individuals with disabilities in the Church during this Lenten season as well as offer sound advice to all of us for welcoming individuals with disabilities into our churches for the Lenten season. For more information about Fr. Manny, please email him at FrManny@icsmiami.org. 

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Episode 29 - Carol Guthrie

This week I am joined by Mrs. Carol Guthrie, Director of Academic Support for Bishop Moore Catholic School in Orlando, Florida. Carol discusses her road to Bishop Moore after 20 years at another school. She also discusses the inclusion models available at the school including the support system for the students. For more information about Carol, please email her at guthriec@bishopmoore.org. For more information about Bishop Moore Catholic School please visit http://www.bishopmoore.org.

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Episode 28 - Ms. Kate Witt

This week, I am joined by Ms. Kate Witt, a college student at the University of Alabama. Kate speaks about her learning difficulties with processing disorders and dyslexia while attending Catholic schools and now at the University of Alabama. Kate discusses how she compensated at an early age before being diagnosed and offers strategies for teachers to help students like herself. She comments how her disability is a “gift from God” and states “I’m so glad I’m dyslexic!” Kate is a remarkable example of what can happen when students with disabilities receive the right supports to succeed in Catholic school and how they can translate to the present day.

Episode 27 - Dr. Diane Starkovich

This week, I am joined by Dr. Diane Starkovich. Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Diane speaks about her journey to being superintendent in Atlanta as well as the background into the development of Catholic schools in Atlanta. Diane shares her vision for special education in her Archdiocese as well as the success students with disabilities are having through assessment and support systems available to them. For more information about Diane, please email her at DStarkovich@archatl.com. For more information about the Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic Schools, please visit https://archatl.com/schools/why-catholic-schools/.

Episode 26 - Sr. Kathleen Schipani

This week I am joined by Sr. Kathleen Schipani, Director for the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Deaf Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sr. Kathleen talks about the different ministries she undertakes in Philadelphia and other places including as chairperson for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. Sr. Kathleen also discusses the different ministries her office undertakes in the diocese and discusses special education in Catholic schools.  For more information about Sr. Kathleen, please email her at sr.kschipani@archphila.org. For more information about the Ofice for Persons with Disabilities, please visit http://opdarchphilly.org. 

 

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Dr. Brooke Tesché

On the first episode of 2018, I am once again joined by Dr. Brooke Tesché, Deputy Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania. Brooke discusses the varied roles of assessment in the classroom especially as to how it pertains to students with disabilities. She discusses accommodations and meeting the needs of all test takers. For more information about Brooke, please email her at btesche@allentowndiocese.org For more information about the Diocese of Allentown, please visit their website http://www.allentowndiocese.org.

Episode 25 - Dr. Brooke Tesché

On the first episode of 2018, I am once again joined by Dr. Brooke Tesché, Deputy Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania. Brooke discusses the varied roles of assessment in the classroom especially as to how it pertains to students with disabilities. She discusses accommodations and meeting the needs of all test takers. For more information about Brooke, please email her at btesche@allentowndiocese.org For more information about the Diocese of Allentown, please visit their website http://www.allentowndiocese.org.

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Episode 24 - Mrs. Kim Wilmer

This week I am joined by Mrs. Kim Wilmer, a Kindergarten teacher at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School at Phoenix, Arizona. Kim details her work as a Kindergarten teacher at the school and shares her experiences with a particular student. Kim talks about how she meets the academic, social, and spiritual needs to include him in class. For more information about Kim, please email her at kimberly.wilmer@sfxphx.org. For more information about St. Francis Xavier, please visit http://school.sfxphx.org

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