Episode 63 - Dr. Victoria Graf. This week I am joined by Dr. Victoria Graf, Professor of Education at Loyola Marymount University. Vicky details her time at Loyola Marymount at the university and her work with inclusion throughout the years. She also speaks about her work in Universal Design for Learning and then inclusion of students with disabilities at the higher education level. For more information about Vicky, you can email her at Victoria.graf@lmu.edu.
Read moreEpisode 62 - Denise Brickler
This week I am joined by Mrs. Denise Brickler, middle school math and science teacher at Christ the King Catholic School classroom for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Denise talks about how she was led to become a middle school teacher and about the students she instructs. She also shares practical strategies for working with all learners and not just exceptional learners. For more information about Denise, you can email her at denisebrickler@gmail.com
Read moreEpisode 61 - Mrs. Rebecca Hammel and Mrs. Kay Dodd
This week I am joined by Mrs. Rebecca Hammel, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Nashville and Mrs. Kay Dodd Co- Chair of the Hand in Hand Board. Both ladies speak about the importance on inlsuion in their diocese and the steps necessary to fully include students from an administrative and parent eye. For more information about Rebecca, please email her at rebecca.hammel@dioceseofnashville.com.
Read moreEpisode 60 - Dr. Barbara Edmondson
This week I am joined by Dr. Barbara Edmondson – Chief Leadership and Program Officer for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Barbara talks about her diverse roles and how she was able to meet the needs of exceptional learners at each level. She also talks about what NCEA is doing to meet the needs of Catholic schools working with diverse learners. For more information about NCEA, please visit https://www.ncea.org. For more information about Barbara, you can email her at bedmondson@ncea.org.
Read moreEpisode 59 - Beth Foraker
This week I am joined by Mrs. Beth Foraker, founder and director of the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion. Beth and I sit down and talk about how thankful we are for inclusion in Catholic schools and mention the different organizations, schools, and people that are taking the charge of inclusion in Catholic schools. We encourage you to listen and write down all the resources that are available for a Catholic school or diocese to begin the conversation for inclusion. For more information on the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion, please visithttp://fullinclusionforcatholicschools.org. For more information on Beth, please email her at catholicfullinclusion@gmail.com.
Read moreEpisode 58 - Dr. Janna Bopp
This week I am joined by Dr. Janna Bopp – Retired Director of Special Services, Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Janna talks about her time at Sacred Heart Cathedral School as well her role. She talks about lessons learned with parents, students, and services and offers advice moving forward. For more information about Janna please email her at jbopp2018@gmail.com.
Read moreEpisode 57 - EMBRACE
This week I am joined by three great people associated with EMBRACE (Enriching Many By Reaching All in Catholic Education). Maggie Mosher, Executive Director—Jane Rall, Director of Operations, and Jim Kernell—President, Chairman of the Board. They talk about the mission and vision of EMBRACE in Kansas City as well as all of the services they provide. Additionally, they talk about the success stories and obstacles they have had in EMBRACE as well as the fruits of their labors. For more information about EMBRACE, please visit https://www.embraceks.org.
Read moreEpisode 56 - Dr. Gail Donahue
This week I am joined by Dr. Gail Donahue, Director, Academy of Catholic Educators
(ACES) at Notre Dame of Maryland. Gail talks about her experiences as director for ACEs and the wonderful work they are doing to include students with special needs in the classroom. Gail also mentions the possible roadblocks that may occur when trying to include students with special needs in the classroom and in schools while offering practical advice to schools that would like to include exceptional learners. For more information about ACES, please visit www.ndm.edu/ACES.
For more information about Gail, please email her atgdonahue@ndm.edu.
Read moreEpisode 55 - Dr. Maggie Hubbard
This week I am joined by Dr. Maggie Hubbard, former Director of Special Education for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and currently a coach with Academy of Catholic Educators (ACES) at Notre Dame of Maryland. Maggie talks about her experiences not only as a former special education director but as a first-grade teacher. She speaks about reading and the processes necessary for developing reading habits and also explains some sound strategies for reading success in the classroom. For more information about Maggie, please email her at maggie.w.hubbard@gmail.com.
Read moreEpisode 54 - Janette Boazman
This week I am joined by Sedonna Prater, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. Sedonna talks about her background and her role in the Diocese of Knoxville. She also talks about English Language Learners and what the difference is between them and an exceptional learner. For more information about the Diocese of Knoxville schools, please visit, https://dioknox.org. For more information about Sedonna, please email her at sprater@dioknox.org.
Read moreEpisode 53 - Dr. Janette Boazman
This week I am joined by Dr. Janette Boazman, Associate Professor, for the Department of Education at the University of Dallas. Janette talks about her roles at the University of Dalls as wells as the courses she teaches. She details some models for giftedness as well as a discussion on what rigor should look like for students who are gifted. For more information about the University of Dallas. please visit https://udallas.edu/constantin/academics/programs/education/index.php. For more information about Janette, please email her at jboazman@udallas.edu
Read moreEpisode 52 - Sr. Edward Quinn
This week I am joined by Sr. Edward Quinn, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools. Sister Edward talks about her background and her very large family. She shares what here role looks like at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and speaks about her vision for including exceptional learner in Philadelphia through accommodations, assessment, and instruction. For more information about the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://www.aopcatholicschools.org. For more information about Sr. Edward Quinn, please email her at sr.equinn@archphila.org.
Read moreEpisode 51 - Doreen Engel
This week, I am joined by Mrs. Doreen Engel, Adjunct Faculty Member & Professional Development Consultant for the Greeley Center for Catholic Education out of out of the University of Loyola Chicago. Doreen talks about her new role at the Greeley Center. She discusses Catholic social justice and how teachers can incorporate Catholic social teaching in their classrooms t maximize including all learners. For more information about the Greeley Center, please visit https://www.luc.edu/gcce/index.shtml. For more information about Doreen, please follow her on Twitter @engelworks or email her at engelworks@mail.com.
Read moreEpisode 50 - Dr. Julie Cantillon
This week I am joined by Dr. Julie Cantillon, Associate Director for the Office of Schools for the Diocese of San Diego. Julie talks about her role as Associate Director and what those duties look like as well as talking about the exceptional learners in her diocese. She talks about the learning supports available to teachers in her diocese for working with exceptional learners and pays tribute to those in the field of Catholic special education who are leading the charge and providing supports for her teachers. For more information about the Diocese of San Diego, please visit https://www.sdcatholic.org/schools/elementary.aspx. For more information about Julie, please email her at jcantillon@sdcatholic.org.
Read moreEpisode 49 - Barb Gillman
This week I am joined by Mrs. Barb Gillman, a 3rd grade teacher at St. Margaret Mary School in Omaha, Nebraska. Barb shares with the audience her love for books especially children’s literature. For this podcast, she summarizes the following books that are fantastic to start the conversation about exceptional learners in the classroom: Wonder by R.J. Palacio, A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold, Dearest Children: A Message Inspired by Father Flanagan by Eli Hernandez, Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla, and Caleb and Kit by Beth Vrabel. For more information, about Barb, please follow her on Twitter @BarbInNebraska or email her at barb.gilman@gmail.com.
Episode 48 - Mrs. Kathleen McNutt
This week I am joined by Mrs. Kathleen McNutt, Principal of St. Louis School in Alexandria, Virginia. Kathleen talks about her school and how they are welcoming students with exceptional needs. She details the different supports available to diverse learners as well as advice for principals considering starting a program for exceptional learners.
Episode 47 - Mrs. Jill Annable
This week I am joined by Mrs. Jill Annable, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology Integration for the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan. Jill talks about her role as assistant superintendent and what led her to that position for Grand Rapids. She details the success of the Student Support Serviced Network in her diocese and how it provides support for students with exceptional needs. Finally, she offers advice to other leaders who are considering welcoming student with special needs. For more information about Jill, please email her at jillannable@dogrschools.org. For more information about the Diocese of Grand Rapids Schools, please visit https://catholicschools4u.org.
Episode 46 - Vincent Spadoni
This week I am joined by Mr. Vincent Spadoni, Principal of St. Elizabeth School, Rockville, Maryland. Vincent details what his life as a principal looks like at St. Elizabeth and talks about his students. He also speaks about the resources available to students with exceptional needs and the different students that the school is able to service. He speaks about the role of his families at the school and offers advice to principals who might be considering an exceptional learners program. Finally, he discusses the value of social media and Catholic schools. For more information about St. Elizabeth please visit, http://stelizabethschoolmd.org.
Episode 45 - Sr. Dale McDonald
On the first show for Season 2, I am joined by Sr. Dale McDonald, Director of Public Policies for NCEA. Sr. Dale talks about her background as well as what led her to NCEA. She spends some time detailing ESSA and IDEA as well as its impact on Catholic schools. Finally she discusses how school choice works and its effects on Catholic schools. For more information about Sr. Dale, please email her at mcdonald@ncea.org.
Read moreEpisode 44 - Marcey Ayers
On our last episode of the school year, I am joined by Mrs. Marcey Ayers, Director of Special Programs for the Archdiocese of Miami in Miami Florida. Marcey talks about all the different roles she held in special education and her journey to the Archdiocese of Miami. She details her passion for special education for the Archdiocese and her vision for inclusive education. For more information about, Marcey, please email her at mayers@theadom.org. For more information about the Archdiocese of Miami schools, please visit https://www.miamiarch.org/2013_adom/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Office_of_Schoo
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