Become an Inclusive Educator

Ways to Work with PIE

In an effort to assist with school and teacher development, the Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) provides a spectrum of learning opportunities to foster the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for inclusive education.

18-Credit Hour Teacher Formation:

The Program for Inclusive Education offers an 18-credit hour educator formation program with deep expertise in educating and advocating for struggling learners. Completion of programming leads to additional certification in Exceptionalities: Mild Intervention. The Program for Inclusive Education is a four-semester hybrid online/10-day, campus experience delivered by a team of national experts. Participants must be an educator in a Catholic school to be considered for admission for the formation program. All educators—including those from public, charter, and non-Catholic private schools—are welcome to take individual courses or participate in our online professional development modules (please see the Professional Development section below for more details).

Professional Development:

Onsite Professional Development

Onsite PD consists of half-, full-, or two-day workshops customized to meet need. Online professional development is available to all educators (both in Catholic and non-Catholic schools) and offers content specific modules for continuing education credits. These modules may be taken individually or as an entire series across each semester. Offsite consultation is available throughout the academic year.

Prospective content topics include the following:

- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (e.g., Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Supports)
- Behavior—Foundation and theory, practical applications, and accommodations
- Instruction—Differentiation, data analysis, interventions, and accommodations
- Student Support Teams—Collaboration and data-based decision making
- Executive Functioning—Foundation and theory, practical applications, and accommodations
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the interface of technological supports
- Strategic support for students with learning differences

Learn more about our Onsite Professional Development offerings

Online Learning Modules

The Program for Inclusive Education presents an introductory module on serving the needs of ALL students in Catholic schools. This online professional development module:

- Includes four 3-hour units bundled into a 12-hour module.
- Integrates research, videos, and evidence-based practices, supporting students with disabilities and struggling learners.
- Allows for an interactive, self-paced experience.
- Provides multiple opportunities to self-reflect or continue the discussion with others in your school.
- Offers an opportunity to engage in live, virtual discussions with experts in the field.

Learn more about our Online Learning Modules

Apply to PIE

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Inclusive Educator!

Applications for PIE 5 (2012-22) are now closed. Applications for our next cohort will open on October 1, 2021.

A completed application package will include the following:

online application
resume/curriculum vitae
teacher license
current photo
principal recommendation
needs-based scholarship request (if applicable)

Course Descriptions

Completion of the 18-credit program leads to additional licensure/certification in Exceptional Learners: Mild Disabilities.

EDU 70200: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 credits)

An introduction to inclusive education with a focus on understanding learner attributes including academic, behavioral, social/emotional, and health issues is provided. Historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives serve as a foundation for understanding learning strengths and challenges. Evidence-based frameworks and practices that seek to address complex learning needs promoting inclusive practice are emphasized. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70201: Critical Elements for Inclusion (2 credits)

Critical elements of planning and instruction within a multi-tiered system of support are addressed. Assessment and data-based decision making are examined to address the learning needs of students who struggle in the classroom environment. Attention is given to accommodations and curricular modifications, as well as frameworks and strategies that impact behavior. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Summer I-Online)

EDU 70207: Literacy Methods & Assessment for Inclusion (4 credits)

A multi-tiered system of support serves as the foundation for inclusive education with a focus on literacy intervention and assessment. An emphasis on diagnostic decision making, planning and delivery of empirically-validated, multisensory literacy instruction that maximizes the learning of all students is examined. Special attention is given to essential elements of critical literacy pedagogy and evidence-based practices to meet the diverse needs of struggling learners and students with learning disabilities. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Fall-Online)

EDU 70208: Advanced Methods & Assessment for Inclusion (4 credits)

The essential elements of designing a meaningful inclusive educational experience are addressed. Critical content and pedagogy, validated frameworks, and evidence-based practices serve as the foundation, fostering successful planning, implementation, and assessment to enhance student learning and educational outcomes in the inclusive environment. Specific foci include content-based instruction, social/emotional learning, and behavioral intervention for students with needs. Appropriate assessment selection and the use of data to make informed decisions for instruction; behavior and classroom management; and eligibility and placement of students is foundational. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Spring-Online)

EDU 70202: Collaboration, Community, & Culture (2 credits)

Critical elements of professional collaboration and consultation within a multi-tiered system of support are addressed. Communication, roles/responsibilities, and culture of key stakeholders are a central focus. Teaming and problem-solving models are examined to address the needs of students who struggle in the classroom environment. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Summer II-Online)

EDU 70204: Policy and Effective Practice in Special Education (3 credits)

Effective practice and implications of special education policy for learners with diverse needs are provided. Specialized methods of service delivery are addressed for students with diagnoses. Attention is given to accommodations and curricular modifications, sensory integration, and transition planning. Evidence-based practices are advanced to enable successful individualized educational planning. Clinical experiences in a Catholic school are required. (Summer II-On Campus)

Tuition and Cost Structure

The full value of PIE 5 for the 2021-2022 academic year is $11,500. This includes tuition (cost of all academic coursework), double occupancy housing, and food during the 2nd summer experience at the University of Notre Dame. Please note this does not include books or transportation to and from campus. PIE is aware of the financial sacrifice for participation and we want to make programming accessible to as many Catholic educators as possible.

To further this mission, we have been blessed with the ability to award every participant a $2,000 Inclusive Educator Scholarship. This scholarship is in addition to the needs-based financial support included in the application.

Please note that applying for additional needs-based funding does not guarantee additional support; however, PIE will do everything possible to assist with this financial commitment. Beyond the Inclusive Educator and needs-based scholarships, Title funding at the school/diocesan levels can be used for participation.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Dr. Christie Bonfiglio, Ph.D., at 574-631-3430 or .

Format and Details

Summer I: $3400

5 credits of online programming over 2 courses:

May 17 - June 20 - EDU 70200 Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 cr)
June 21 - July 23 - EDU 70207 Critical Elements of Inclusive Education (2 cr)

Fall: $2450

4 credits of online programming over 1 course

August 23 - December 17, 2021 - EDU 70207 Literacy Methods and Assessment for Inclusion (4 cr)

Spring: $2450

4 credits of online programming over 1 course

January 10 - May 6, 2022 - EDU 70208 Advanced Methods and Assessment for Inclusion (4 cr)

Summer II: $2450 - $2000 Scholarship = $450 + Room/Board

Room/Board: $750 for double occupancy; $1000 for single
5 credits with 1 online course (June - July) and then the On Campus Capstone

June 6 - July 3, 2022 - EDU 70202 Collaboration, Communication & Culture (2 cr)
On campus Capstone: July 13 - July 22, 2022 - EDU 70204 Policy & Practice in Special Education (3 cr)

Professional Development

Program for Inclusive Education Professional Development

Approach

Professional Development with the Program for Inclusive Education is not one-size-fits-all, much like the expectation for an inclusive classroom. Educators and students alike learn in multiple ways, and our goal is to offer many options to meet your needs. Educators can select from a variety of content modules and courses to advance their practices based on their own professional journeys. Additionally, schools/(arch)dioceses can create PD packages combining several offerings at a reduced rate. PIE is very intentional about differentiating its content based on specific needs. Contact PIE for consultation to customize your experience.

The Holy Father reminds us that “our communities still have difficulties in practicing true inclusion and a full participation that finally becomes ordinary and normal. This requires not only specific techniques and programs, but first of all acknowledgement and welcoming of faces, tenacious and patient certainty that each person is unique and unrepeatable, and each excluded face is an impoverishment of the community.” Our professional development is constructed on the foundational understanding of the assets our diversity of learners presents in our schools.

Content

Professional development establishes a theoretical framework, instills a culture of service, and provides the necessary skills to ensure success for all learners in the classroom. PD is research-based and cultivates best practice.

Format and Funding

There is a range of learning opportunities through the Program for Inclusive Education.

On-site PD consists of half-, full-, or two-day workshops customized to meet your current needs.
Online professional development is available through the edX platform, offering content modules for continuing education credits that may be taken individually or as an entire series across each semester.
Off-site consultation is available across the academic year.

(Arch)dioceses have been successful in securing and allocating Title funding to underwrite these offerings for similar ACE professional development opportunities.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you meet the needs of all learners!
Christie Bonfiglio, Ph.D. - , 574-631-3430

Online Learning Modules

The Program for Inclusive Education presents an introductory module on serving the needs of ALL students in Catholic schools.

This online professional development module:

Includes four 3-hour units bundled into a 12-hour module.
Integrates research, videos, and evidence-based practices, supporting students with disabilities and struggling learners.
Allows for an interactive, self-paced experience.
Provides multiple opportunities to self-reflect or continue the discussion with others in your school.
Offers an opportunity to engage in live, virtual discussions with experts in the field.

Introductory Module Topics

1. 1. Inclusion in Catholic Schools: Serving ALL Learners
  2. Understanding Behavior
  3. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
  4. Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Requirements & Logistics

Modules are delivered through the Sakai learning platform across the full calendar year.
Cost for each module (12-hours of instruction) is $300 per educator. Contact PIE to explore school discounts: or 574-631-3430.
Schools may schedule 60-minute, interactive virtual conversations with member(s) of the PIE team to extend learning. These 60-minute conversations serve as great additions to faculty or professional learning community meetings. Cost is $500 per session.
Completion certificates will be emailed at the end of the calendar year in December. Requests for early receipt may be made.