This spring, Christopher Dotson, principal of Father Gabriel Richard High School (FGR), announced a pilot program in which an authentically Catholic high school education could be offered to students with cognitive impairments who seek a certificate of completion. “The goal is to offer a supportive environment and a place to learn skills within a Catholic community for 1-2 students this fall,” says Mr. Dotson. “We are excited to announce that we have hired an excellent Lead Teacher for this program in Elizabeth Shafer.”
Mrs. Shafer holds an undergraduate degree in special education from Grand Valley State University and will complete graduate studies for a master’s degree in December. She developed a special education program at the elementary level at a Catholic elementary school in Monroe, Michigan and has worked with middle and high school special education during her career. She is a “cheerleader for people who have to put in extra effort” and feels a special calling to work with high school students. “I am excited to build a high school program that adds the spiritual element to the education of these students,” says Mrs. Shafer. “We are an inclusion program that, grounded in the Catholic faith, focuses on each student’s unique strengths and God-given gifts to bring out their full potential and that builds a community of kindness and empathy.”
Building that community of kindness and empathy is part of the reason why the program will tap current students to provide support for the students in the program. A group of 16 FGR students have eagerly agreed to serve as peer mentors and participated in training provided by the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame Program for Inclusive Education in South Bend, Indiana on June 10th.
With the right personnel in place, FGR is now seeking applicants for the new program. Families interested in learning more about the program and applying are encouraged to contact FGR principal Christopher Dotson at 734-929-6991 or cdotson@fgrhs.org. Those interested in financially supporting the program are invited to do so at fgrhs.org/give-now or by contacting FGR president Joe Jordano at 734-929-6986 or jjordano@fgrhs.org.