Foundress Vitae

Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, CE 

Objectives

Leadership roles in education and administration in respect to persons with disabilities and their families.

Leadership roles in regard to consecrated life within a newly founded community.

2000-2010

Foundress and Superior of the Epiphany Community, A non-canonical community of sisters and lay persons of varying abilities supporting families marginalized by disability and homelessness

2002-2006                   Ave Maria University                Naples, Florida

Program Director for Masters Program in Exceptional  Student Education

·         Designed and directed Florida State approved and licensed courses for MA in ESE

·         Instructor for courses in MA in ESE

·         Consultant for students with learning disabilities on campus at Ave Maria University

2004-2010                   Ave Maria Preparatory School Sarasota, Florida

Director

·         Designed and directed school for students with special learning needs/ grades 5-12

·         Teacher education and administration of the above

·         Curriculum development, admission and assessment for students

1994-2003                   Diocese of Venice in Florida      Venice, Florida

Director of Special Education

·         Designed and directed ESE inclusion program for 12 Catholic Schools

·         Designed and directed public-private partnerships with State of Florida with 20 public schools and 12 Catholic schools for inclusion practices in respect to special learning needs

·         Designed and directed two schools for students with special learning needs:  One in Sarasota, Florida and one in Fort Myers, Florida.

1994-2000

Member of State Advisory Board for Exceptional Student Education

·         Advised in respect to parent advocacy issues

·         Helped shape McKay Scholarship legislation which provides for students with disabilities in Florida schools who wish to attend private schools.

·         Advised in respect to support of families in respect to students with disabilities

1996-1999

·         President of Florida Learning Disability Association

1968-1994

·         Grades 5-12

·         Regular and Special Education

Diocese of Cleveland and Youngstown

1979-1988

Designed and Directed Diocesan Religious Education Program for State Institution for Persons with Disabilities: (Warrensville Cente, Cleveland, Ohio)

1988-1991                         

                                          Visitation and Religious Education

                                           In Upper Pinellas County Group

                                           Group Homes

1979-1991                          Designed and Directed Retreats

For Persons with Disabilities in Diocese of St. Petersburg

1965-1971                    Notre Dame College                  Cleveland, Ohio

·         B. A. in Secondary and Exceptional Education

·         Certifications in Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Secondary English and Elementary Education

·         1979-1985                    St. Thomas University,              Rome, Italy

·         M.A. in Catechesis (Virginia Campus)

·         Dissertation:  “Catechesis of the Learning Disabled Child.”

·         1988-1992                   Cardinal Stritch University       Milwaukee, WI

·         M. A. in Varying Exceptionalities

·         Dissertation:  “Reduction of Self-Stimulatory Behaviors in Children with Autism.”

Poetry composition, religious education, outdoor recreation and St. John of the Cross spirituality

Presentations and consultation at the following in respect to inclusion practices in regular education and catechesis:

·         National Catholic Education Association Annual International Conference:  1986-2010
·         International Learning Disability Conferences

·         National Mathematics Conferences

·         State and Regional Learning Disability Conferences

·         Ministry of Education of Japan

·         National Catechetical Conferences

·          Assisted 22  Catholic dioceses nationwide

·         Assisted 900 schools nationwide

·         Franciscan University of Stuebenville

·         Notre Dame College of Ohio (Adjunct Professor 1999-2010 Summer Program)

·         Publications

·         Dreams Are Free Toolkits (CD’s) for strategies for students, parents and teachers in respect to learning disabilities

·         “The Teacher Catechist,” Strained Forward, 1984

·         “Inclusion in Regular Education.” Momentum, 1995

·         “Dreams Are Free Program,” Catholic Teacher, 1997

·         “Language of Celebration,” NAIM, 1988

Governor Jeb Bush

Former Senate President John McKay

State Attorney Joseph D’Allessandro, Fort Myers

Assistant Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools:  Michael McHugh

Nicholas Healey, President of Ave Maria University

Jack Sites, Senior Vice President of Ave Maria University

Wendy Hopkins, Community Foundation of Sarasota

Eric Tridas, MD (Director of Tridas Developmental Center, Tampa)

Mel Levine, MD, (Director of All Kinds of Minds Institute, Chapel Hill, NC)

Elmer Kadison, MD ( The Thinking Center, Sarasota)

Timothy Hallinan, PhD (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)