When I was a junior at Creighton Prep, I signed up for a course which changed my life. “Awareness Workshop” was a combination social studies, English, and theology class which met in the afternoons. Two days a week, we were assigned a service project instead of seat time. I was sent to Madonna School and I worked with special education students at the great little school. I wish I could say I taught them many great things. But the reality is they taught me far more—about the joy of riding a bike or swimming like it was the first time they had ever been in water. I learned patience, I learned compassion, I learned what it meant to be human. Coming out of that class, I knew that becoming a “man for others” would be my life’s work.
As I have become aware of the debate about including special education students in our schools, I often think back to that formative experience at Madonna School. As I began this podcast project, I was determined to bring the issue of inclusion to the forefront. I returned to Madonna School and its visionary president, Jay Dunlap, who also happened to a teacher at Prep when I was a student.
Dunlap speaks about his personal experience of growing up with a brother with special needs shaping his desire to continue the mission of Madonna School. He advocates for these students as children of God deserving the best kind of education we can provide. Madonna is truly a Catholic school because of who we are—people of service determined to bring God’s love to all.
My first guest, Beth Foraker, is a tireless advocate for including students with special needs into all of our Catholic schools. Her experience as a teacher and a mother with a Down’s students stoked her fire to bring Catholic education to all. She points out that the argument against inclusion (“We don’t have the money or resources”) is a red herring. “People want to be a part of something noble and good,” she argues. And what could be more noble than bringing Catholic education to students with special needs? There are donors out there who want to support these efforts.
Dan Sherman, the third guest, is the epitome of a school leader imbued with a growth mindset. Sherman had no background in special education but was determined to design a new type of school that would serve all students. In the first 11 years, St. Madeleine Sophie in Bellevue has provided a model for what Catholic schools can be—inclusive, rigorous, and loving.
Here is a great article on inclusivity efforts in Catholic schools. Here’s Beth’s video on her son.
Listen to this special Catholic School Matters podcast episode directly here or on iTunes.
Dr. Tim's Blog 
Thank you, Tim. There’s nothing like a story of a personal experience to describe how you found your awakening, belonging, roots, wings, and your personal and professional fulfillment. And within your life changing course work, I also believe you also define the height of professionalism: When we do our work so well that the persons we serve don’t know if it’s our job…or our nature.
I always love how life is “understood backwards,” but “lived forwards.” The special education students turned the tables on you and became your inspiration. They apparently taught you after the verb ‘to Love’–‘to Help’ is the most beautiful verb in the world. I sense from both the passion and compassion with which you write–you “see” (understand) as educator it is big mistake to believe there is only one way to listen, to talk, to have a conversation or a relationship: Students— special education or not—have an uncanny ability and willingness to help us with our communication skills. They really do teach that success is getting what we want, and happiness is “wanting” what we get long after we get it.
Regarding Catholic schools being noble and good, students see teachers as persons they can lean on, and also persons who make leaning unnecessary. Moreover, our students do not cease to be our children just because they are disobedient children…just like God does not cease loving us just because we are His disobedient children.