ED-21 with Inclusion Solutions

Brophy College Prep has always been a diverse school as well as one of the strongest schools in Phoenix preparing young men for college and christian service for others.  However, in recent years a greater effort has been placed on academic diversity at Brophy.  Kristin Venberg shares how she became Brophy's first Learning Resource Coordinator and what that means for academic support and inclusion at the school.  In a conversation with Crystal Brooks, Kristin talks about the early successes of the program and her role as well as her hopes and plans for the future.

In this episode, guest Tanya Bartlett and host Colleen McCoy-Cejka discuss the importance of the subject that they determine to be the root of all brilliance and ignorance in education--geography.  This conversation is a celebration of all things social studies and the significance of all areas of the social studies on academics, humanism, and a general understanding of various aspects of the world around us.  With many years of teaching and leadership experience, Bartlett provides context for the importance of attention to geography in the general education curriculum and the consequences of its exclusion from the curriculum.  Examples provided throughout the conversation highlight stories of student engagement and success in ways not found in other subject areas.  In the social studies, any student can become an expert and find success, which is not always true in other subject areas.  From personal experiences through road tripping America to the classroom to curriculum development in K-12 education, Tanya Bartlett will inspire listeners with a new appreciation for geography and other areas of social studies. 

Colleen McCoy-Cejka hosts Jill Annable on this episode to discuss maintaining a strong curriculum within a hybrid learning environment, how collaboration helped educators through uncertainty and inspired many to innovate. Jill and Colleen discuss inclusion efforts in Catholic schools as well as Jill's new role as Executive Director or Academic Excellence, a new position for the National Catholic Education Association. 

In this episode, Christie Bonfiglio Ph.D. offers her insight on the ​Program for Inclusive Education in the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame. This program prepares educators, paraprofessionals, and school leaders to welcome all students to Catholic schools. Christie shares the evolution of this program since it began, as well as the ways she facilitates engagement among the graduates years after completing the program. ​Crystal and Christie discuss the importance of equipping schools with the resources and support to fully embrace the inclusion of students with learning disabilities and bring forth a community living its Catholic identity. 

In this episode, Crystal Brooks and Kristen Garcia discuss giving direction, affirmation, and support to students and families that are unsure about next week, next month, and next year. Counselors are looked to for direction and depended upon by many, even though this is their first pandemic, too. Kristen shares her experiences and how her training and experience have prepared her to help others through uncertainty with grace and positivity. 

In this episode guests Fred Reynolds, veteran educator, tech director, and tech coach, and Christen Ellis, middle and high school English teacher for over a decade, discuss the impact of technology. Reflecting back through the years and comparing tools, attitudes, and opportunities, Fred and Christen talk with Colleen about the importance of using technology to individualize education, ease assessment and communication, and highlight the importance of the role of the teacher. The relationship between the teacher and the tech person, and the role of the tech person as a problem-solver and obstacle-remover, is highlighted. Balance is the key, and hopefully, 2020 has shown the world that education does not have to regress, and change in the industry of education was overdue. 

Sue Milano, the Learning Specialist at a parochial school in Phoenix, AZ, shares how she created a community that is inclusive for all learners. The elementary school community welcomed students with high incidence learning challenges for many years, and when the time came to expand the circle of inclusion, Sue prepared her community to welcome several students with low incidence learning needs. Sue's model of inclusion ambassadors and community engagement is a model for other schools to follow. 

In this episode, Colleen welcomes Bruce Hermie, Director of School Partnerships for the American Federation for Children, to discuss school choice from both a local and national perspective. Bruce shares his perspective on the impact of legal challenges and opportunities and the way school choice improves education overall for public, charter, and private education. As former principals, Colleen and Bruce share reflections on leadership experiences and wishes for current leaders. 

Jim White, principal at Lake Michigan Catholic Middle School and High School shares his hybrid learning plan.  After being featured by ABC News and the National Catholic Education Association for being one of the first in the country to communicate a clear plan for hybrid learning in the fall of 2020, Jim’s input and expertise are being sought by educators throughout the country.  White talks about plan development, community involvement, relationships, and planning for success in the coming schools, whatever it may bring.