GREENSBORO — The Quest and PACE programs at Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro have been a godsend, quite literally, for Triad families with children who have learning differences.
The Oakleys are one such family. Danny Oakley and Stacy Creed’s son Noah is a new pre-K student in Quest, the school’s autism inclusion program. Like the other children in the program, Noah spends most of the day with his peers in his regular education class.
“I researched every program that had anything to do with autism available in our area. We went on many school visits and interviews,” said Creed, a third-grade teacher in the Guilford County School System. “Quest was the best because it had everything we were looking for as far as mainstreaming the children, but also working with them so they get help where they need it.”
Besides serving children on the autism spectrum, OLG offers another area of differentiated learning needs with PACE (Providing an Appropriate Catholic Education). This program, led by teacher Sarah Doyle, is for students who are academically challenged and not able to complete all the coursework on grade level. Doyle works to increase the academic skills for students needing more individualized accommodations and modifications. The growing Quest program has two lead teachers, Colleen Wright and Kerry Sparks, with assistants Kathleen Horner and MacKenzie Boccardo helping in both PACE and Quest.
Noah’s parents knew the transition to a new school would need to be handled with great care – something the OLG staff was prepared to do. One major aid was enrolling Noah in the school’s summer camp, where he slowly warmed to his new environment. Soon, he began to call it “castle camp” – the budding artist is quite taken with the church’s majestic beauty.
Once school started, it became “castle class,” where he has increased his participation in the regular pre-K4 room – something his parents can see for themselves in progress videos. “In music, he’s singing and doing the dances with the whole group,” Creed said. “He doesn’t want to go home when I pick him up every day. He’s pleased with going to school and is always enthusiastic. He loves his pre-K teachers, Mrs. Welch and Mrs. Meza.”
It is especially fulfilling for Principal Kathleen Miller to see students, parents and teachers enjoy victories like these. A veteran educator, Miller played a lead role in overseeing differentiated learning programs in Charlotte during her tenure as assistant superintendent.
With a Bachelor of Science in intellectual disabilities and a master’s degree in education focusing on learning disabilities from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., Miller was a natural fit for helping build the PACE program in Charlotte during the 2013-’14 school year. Miller worked with a committee of administrators, teachers and parents to bring the PACE program to fruition in Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools during the 2014-’15 school year.
Noah drew the Tudor Gothic splendor of Our Lady of Grace Church.The MACS School Board initiated the program and diocesan leadership supported the effort. At the time, Miller’s predecessor at OLG used planning components from Miller’s work with the committee to start Quest at OLG. To better serve the needs of OLG students, the PACE concept was modified from its mission of serving students who have a specific learning disability to serving those who learn best with a modified curriculum.
In her 39th year as an educator and soon to retire, Miller sees her work as a calling. “We’re all created in the image and likeness of God, so how can you say no to a child with a disability? We can do more programs and meet more needs,” Miller said. “As a Catholic Church, we are called to accept any child whose needs we can meet.”
Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword at OLG – it’s woven into the school’s culture.
“The kids help one another; they are so gentle about it. I’m seeing them at Mass helping one another. No one else necessarily notices these everyday things, but I see that it really is inclusive,” Miller said. “The Quest and PACE students are going to afterschool care, being on teams, and in clubs and the talent show. They feel safe, and it’s easier to do this in a smaller school.”
Miller notes that all the diocesan schools provide differentiated learning accommodations, but right now OLG is the only one with this type and level of program.
Catholic schools are not restricted by state and local guidelines, she explained. That’s why OLG has been able to design programs based on the needs of children and families while living out the tenets of the school’s mission “to serve and to lead with love, respect, dignity and integrity.”
“I’ve seen self-contained programs, and I have seen students who are integrated,” Miller said. “I think a lot of our success is that it’s in a Catholic school.”
Though Creed and her family aren’t Catholic, they agree. “Noah goes to Mass every Wednesday. He appreciates it. He sees the beauty of the church, and it’s like, ‘Wow! Who is this child?’” Creed said. “I appreciate the religious aspect that the public schools can’t do. They sang ‘Away in a Manger’ in the Christmas program!”
— Annie Ferguson, correspondent
Pictured above: Noah Oakley and pre-K4 teacher Mary-Anne Welch enjoy a little one-on-one learning time. (Photos provided)