Catholic Ed 4 All

This week I interview Ms. Anna Schultz-Breef, a college student at Illinois Wesleyan University and former student at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago Illinois. Anna details her experiences with her auditory processing disorder and how it has impacted her learning throughout her life. Anna talks about the strategies she used to learn in the classroom as well as those educators which impacted her learning. For more information on Anna, please follow her in Twitter @theannasb.

This week I interview Dr. Brooke Tesché, Deputy Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania. Brooke discusses her journey in special education that led her to become deputy superintendent in Allentown including her work with students with emotional needs. Brooke details the numerous programs in her diocese that works with students with special needs including her role in those programs. For more information about Brooke, please email her at [email protected] For more information about the Diocese of Allentown, please visit their website http://www.allentowndiocese.org.

This week I interview Mrs. Janice Benton, Executive Director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD). Jan speaks about the vision for the NCPD as well as her role in the organization. Jan also discusses how families can have access to the Mass and the sacraments through the USCCB's Guidelines for the Celebration of Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities. Jan provides great insight into how all families belong in our Catholic Church by virtue of their Baptism and the services NCPD offers to families. She also encourages families to take advantage of the resources on their website. If you would like to reach out to Jan, please email her at [email protected]. For more information about the NCPD, please visit their website at http://www.ncpd.org or follow them on Twitter @NCPD

This week, I interview Mrs. Ana Garcia, Principal for Msgr. Edward Pace Catholic High School in Miami, Florida. Ana speaks about her journey that led her to become principal of the high school. She also details the students with special needs that attend Pace High and the different educational options available for them at the school. Ana is a remarkable principal with a deep love for all students.  For more information about Ana, please email her at [email protected]. For more information about Msgr. Edward Pace, please visit their website http://www.pacehs.com.

This week, I interview Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. Jim speaks about the diverse experiences that led him to be a superintendent of 80,000 students in Chicago. He also speaks about his vision and strategic plan for Chicago and supporting students with disabilities. His passion for serving students with disabilities shines through especially when speaking about his own son.  For more information about Jim, please email him at [email protected]  or follow him on Twitter @RiggJim. For more information about the Archiocese of Chicago and its schools, please visit https://schools.archchicago.org. 

This week, I interview Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, the Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Louisville. Archbishop Kurtz speaks about his role in Catholic special education dating back to his brother, George. He also speaks about the USCCB and the recent revisions to the Guidelines for the Celebration of Sacraments from Persons with Disabilities. The Archbishop also shares how the document can help teachers and catechists with sacramental preparation. For more information about Archbishop Kurtz, please email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @ArchbishopKurtz.  For more information about the Archdiocese of Louisville and its schools, please visit https://www.archlou.org.

This week, I interview Dr. Michael Boyle, Director of the Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education at Loyola University, Chicago. Mike speaks about his background in Catholic special education and the NCEA White Paper which he co-authored with Dr. Pamela Bernards from NCEA.  Mike elaborates on the systems and frameworks (from the national level to the school level) that are necessary to ensure successful special education programs, He also speaks about the certificate programs that are available from the Greely Center for administrators and schools.  For more information about the Andrew M. Greeley, please visit their website at http://www.luc.edu/gcce/index.shtml  or follow Mike on Twitter @MJBoyle3. If you would like more information on the NCEA White Paper: One Spirit One Body, please visit the website http://www.ncea.org/NCEA/Learn/Resource/Academic_Excellence/Expectional_Learners/Exceptional_Learners_White_Paper__One_Spirit__One_Body.aspx

This week, I interview Lynn Hire, Executive Director for the Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education (FIRE) Foundation and Maura Nulton, one of the six couples that founded the FIRE Foundation. They discuss the history, vision, and role the FIRE Foundation plays in assisting students with special needs attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kansas City   For more information on the Fire Foundation, please visit their website at https://firefoundation.org or follow them on Twitter @FIREdupinKC

This week, I interview Mr. Henry Fortier, Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Orlando, FL. Henry speaks about his role as secretary and superintendent in the diocese of Orlando where he also oversees the mission office for a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. He also speaks of how the diocese of Orlando schools is meeting the needs of students with special needs and his own personal story. While Henry wears many hats, his role as advocate for students with special needs shines through in this interview. To reach Henry, please email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @SupOrlandoDio

On the back to school episode this week, I interview Mr. Jonathan Doyle, husband, father, author and creator of the Going Deeper being featured in Catholic schools worldwide. Jonathan will speak of the mission and vocation of Catholic school teachers and how that intersects with special education. For more information about Jonathan and the Going Deeper series, please click on the link: http://www.jonathandoyle.co. You can follow Jonathan of Twitter @beingcatholic1 and on Instagram at jonathan_doyle_catholicspeaker