One Classroom

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As One Classroom wrapped up another summer of professional development opportunities and looks to the new school year, we celebrate the ongoing readiness and excellence of the administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals at our partner schools.

Educators from around the Archdiocese of St. Louis gathered at Webster University for One Classroom’s annual back-to-school professional development event this past August. We are so excited to see all the wonderful ways our educators will help bring about inclusive education into our Catholic schools!

As a frequent keynote speaker and consultant, Dr. Michael Boyle has blessed One Classroom with his expertise and support of inclusive Catholic education. He continues to shape the future of Catholic education by empowering educators to respond to the needs of all students with creativity, compassion, and Catholic identity.

Thank you Dr. Boyle for helping advance inclusive Catholic education and the mission of One Classroom!

Learn more about Dr. Boyle and our team here: https://www.one-classroom.com/team

Happy Feast of Blessed Hermann of Reichenau!

Bl. Hermann was likely born with cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida and had great difficulty moving around. His parents entrusted his care to a local Benedictine monastery.

Under the Benedictine's care, Bl. Hermann went on to become a genius poet, theologian, mathematician, and astronomer. He penned the Salve Regina and the Alma Redemptoris Mater. Bl. Hermann is great example of the beauty and incredible fruit of inclusive Catholic education!

Blessed Hermann of Reichenau, pray for us!

“If we could bottle up whatever Elizabeth has and give it away, we could change the world.”

Elizabeth was born with a born with a rare genetic disorder called 7q36, or distal monosomy. Because of its rarity, the Barnes family is leaning into their faith knowing that everything is just as it should be. Taking each step as it comes, and ensuring
Elizabeth has what she needs to thrive.

Learn more about one of our superstar students, Elizabeth Barnes:https://one-classroom.com/s/The-Magic-of-Elizabeth-Barnes.pdf

At this year's annual back-to-school professional development event at Webster University, One Classroom staff surprised long-time collaborator and partner, Dr. Stephanie Mahfood, with the inaugural St. Brendan Award.

This award honors a dedicated partner who helps our organization to navigate the world of inclusion outside the traditional family and school environments. Her mentorship and service over the last decade have been instrumental in setting One Classroom on a path for success.

Read more about our one-in-a-Million collaborator Dr. Stephanie Mahfood here:https://one-classroom.com/s/One-in-a-Million-Dr-Stephanie-Mahfood-of-Webster-University.pdf

"She moved the host towards her mouth so very slowly, so cautious not to drop it. She knew it was precious."

Mary is one of the many students in our Partner Schools with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have had the unique opportunity to receive inclusive catechesis and preparation for the sacraments. Often, it is these student's who inspire deeper faith in their teachers and families.

Read Christy Toben's reflection on her daughter's inspirational desire for the Eucharist:https://one-classroom.com/s/An-Extraordinary-First-Encounter-with-Jesus-in-the-Eucharist.pdf

Join us for an evening of soccer on Sunday, September 20, at Energizer Park as CITY2 takes on Austin FC II at 4 p.m. The CITY2 games are open seating with plenty of space, along with a sensory room for any of our kiddos who might need a break.
We hope you’ll enjoy us for a fun evening of soccer with our One Classroom community.

Tickets are $13/person and can be purchased here: https://tinyurl.com/FamilySoccer

It's Manual Monday!

Did you know that many special education teachers are inspired by their loved ones with disabilities to teach students with other disabilities? Such love and acceptance can help create a chain reaction for belonging!

Check out the One Classroom Manual and other resources here: https://one-classroom.com/resources

We can't stop thinking about our Classroom paraprofessional training at the Cardinal Rigali Center in early August!

What makes impactful paraprofessional training? Let’s start with 26 paras from 15 schools, plus, Colleen Mooney, Programming Director for One Classroom, AND Kimberly Huelsing, Director of Special Education and Inclusion – Archdiocese of St. Louis, Office of Catholic Education and Formation.

Topics included:
· What is Inclusion?
· Role definition
· Adaptations
· Learning Plans
· De-escalation and behavior support

Because classroom READINESS is everything. Thank you to all who attended and who make a difference in our schools!