St. Michael to Begin "Side by Side" Program; Hires Stapleton as First Director

St. Michael is excited to announce it will begin a new high school program in the Archdiocese of Mobile for students with intellectual difficulties. The “Side by Side” program will teach five or six students each year whose academic performances range between 2nd and 6th grade, pairing them with a fully certified special needs teacher for their core classes, mainstreaming them into elective classes, and encouraging them to participate where appropriate in the extracurricular life of the school.  

On Friday, the school announced the hiring of its first Side by Side director, Jackie Stapleton. 

“We’re really excited about this—everyone!—our faculty, advisory council, the Office of Catholic Education, and Archbishop Rodi,” says Faustin Weber, principal. I had a similar program in my previous school, and not only was it great for the kids it served, it was even better for the rest of our students, bringing out their best, helping form an inclusive, loving community. We’re going to be very clear: these kids are not ’special needs students’; they’re Cardinals.”

“We believe, too, that we’ve found just the right person to lead us," says Weber. “Miss Stapleton comes to us with loads of experience, both as a teacher and mother of a child with a disability. She’ll be both loving and challenging, like every good teacher, even while customizing instruction to meet the unique needs of each of her students.” 

Stapleton possesses a M.A. in Special Education from South Alabama and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education for the Handicapped from Auburn. She’s taught for 19 years as a special needs teacher, mostly in the state of Georgia. She current resides in Daphne and is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic parish. She, too, is excited about the new program: 

“I am thrilled to have been invited into the St. Michael family," says Stapleton. “To enter as the founding director of a program that is opening its doors to students who were previously unable to be served in a Catholic school environment is more than just an answered prayer. 

In 2004, my son suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and though blessed beyond words with Jack's kindness, progress, and spiritual love of God and family, not having been able to provide Jack with a Catholic, faith-based education has always been a deep disappointment. I am certain that God is now going to use my experiences, not just as a special educator but as a mother of a child with a disability, to encourage and to lead other young people such as Jack through a meaningful, inclusive, faith-inspired experience. Christ said ‘Let the children  come unto me.'  l am honored to be involved in answering this call for those students! “

Eligible students must be able to initiate simple written and verbal expressions, interact socially, and work in group situations with minimal distractions to themselves and others. The director will determine admissions, based on her assessment of the child, his or her compatibility with other students, and the school’s regular admissions priorities. 

Students completing the program will participate in commencement, earning a certificate of achievement. The school does not intend to charge additional fees to Side by Side families, hoping instead to offset additional costs through regular tuitions and philanthropy. For more information, contact Jackie Stapleton at jmurphy_58@yahoo.com.