This week I am joined by Mr. Paul Maestranzi, Principal of St. Pius V school in Lynn, MA. Paul discusses the rich history of the school and the history of the city. He shares his background as well as the 8-credit certificate with Boston College’s Lynch School of Education on serving exceptional learners in Catholic Schools. He also discussed how he was able to lead his staff through this process and how they are helping meet the needs of their diverse learners. For more information about Paul, please email him at paul@stpiusvschool.org. 

This week I am joined by Kristin Melley, Director, Professional Development at the Roche Center for Catholic Education at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College. Kristin talks about her background and what led her to Boston College. She details the eight-credit program offered by the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. For more information about Kristin, please email her at kristin.melley@bc.edu.

This week I am joined by Ms. Abbie Greer, Director of Student Support at Bishop McNamara HS, in Forestville, Maryland. Abbie talks about the four programs at her school and how they striving to meet the needs of these students. She also discusses how these programs have influenced the Catholic identity of the school. For more information about Abbie, please email her at Abigail.Greer@bmhs.org.

This week I am joined by Dr. Megan Burton, Director of Special Education for Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, California. Megan discusses in detail the three-tiered special education program for the 200 plus diverse learners and how they have added to the identity of the school. For more information about Megan, please email her at MBurton@cathedralcatholic.org.

 This week I am joined by Mr. Sean Jorgensen, President of St. Mary Catholic Central High School in Monroe, Michigan. Sean talks about his role as President at the school and what led him to that position. Sean also discusses the St. Andre Bissett program at this school and how the inclusion of those students has increased the joy in the other students at the school. For more information about Sean, please email him at sjorgensen@smccmonroe.com

This week I am joined by Mr. Frank Mackritis, Principal of St. Patrick Interparish School in Gainesville, FL. Frank talks about his role as principal and how he came to that position at the school. He also discussed how the Morningstar program for students with disabilities has transformed his school into an inclusive enviornment. For more information about Frank, please email him at fmackritis@stpatrickschoolgnv.org.

This week I am joined by Mrs. Elizabeth Dombrowski, Executive Director of CLC network also known as the Christian Learning Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Elizabeth talks about how CLC developed and all the different component that make up the program. Additionally, she talks about their mission for helping to service students with special needs. For more information about Elizabeth, please email him at edombrowski@clcnetwork.org

This week I am joined by Mr. John Garrow,principal of Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon.John talks about his background and his role at the school including how he is meeting the needs of students with intellectual disabilities at his school using the coffee cart. For more information about John, please email him at jgarrow@centralcatholichigh.org.

This week I am joined by Dr. Michelle Lia, Dr. Michelle Lia, Assistant Director Professional Development, Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education at Loyola University in Chicago. Michelle talks about her work at the Greely Center and all the programs they offer. She also discusses strategies on how teachers can improve the reading skills of their students in comprehension and the other Big 5. For more information about the Greeley Center or Michelle, please email her at mlia@luc.edu.

This week I am joined by Mr. Andy Kremer, Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. Andy talks about his journey from football coach to Associate Superintendent. He also talks about his vision for special education and the programs currently available in his diocese for exceptional learners. For more information on Andy, please email him at akremer@dol-in.org.

This week, I am joined by Dr. Tara Rolle, Associate Superintendent, Diocese of San Jose and the Executive Director, Drexel School System. Tara details her role as the assistant superintendent and the important conversations she is having with the parents to make the diocese more inclusive towards all learners. For more information about Tara, please email here at trolle@dsj.org. 

This week, I am joined Mrs. Lynn Hire, Executive Director for the FIRE Foundation Kansas City MO. Lynn discusses the foundation and her role with the foundation. Additionally, she talks about the upcoming Inclusion in Action Conference including the speakers, and sessions for this conference. Finally, she discussed how anyone interested can register for the conference. For more information about Lynn, please email here at hire@diocesekcsj.org. For more information about the Inclusion in Action Conference 2019, please visit http://firefoundation.org/inclusioninactionconference/or call (816-756-1858), Ext 253

This week I am joined by Ms. Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education for USCCB. Mary Pat talks about how she got her start in Catholic school education and what led her to her current role at the USCCB. She speaks about her vision for Catholic special education and encourages Catholic school to #BeTheTree. For more information about the Mary Pat’s office, please visit http://www.usccb.org/news/2018/18-135.cfm. For more information about Mary Pat, you can email her at MDonoghue@usccb.org.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.