Upper division group gets lessons in leadership from Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Notre Dame 9th-grader Elena Schwegman works with volunteer (and current parent) Tracey Walker and dog Cocoa at Leader Dogs for the Blind headquarters in Rochester Hills.
Notre Dame assistant athletic director Maureen Radulski, who accompanied the students to Leader Dogs today, said that the kids were excited about the visit where they also learned a great deal from a program called “Harness the Power of Leadership.” The interactive workshop, sponsored by Leader Dogs, teaches those in the sighted community how to use the same skills used by blind people and their guide dogs to communicate more effectively and to lead more successful personal and professional lives.
"As someone with a passion for teaching young people to be leaders, I thought this was a unique opportunity for our students to learn a different approach to learning leadership," Radulski added.
NDP student listen to presenters at today's "Harness the Power of Leadership" workshop at Leader Dogs for the Blind.
“I saw this as an excellent opportunity for Notre Dame students to learn and practice some real-life leadership skills they can apply in both their academic and professional endeavors," said Dzialo, who founded MAP in 2000.
The one-day workshop, which was taught by a person who is blind along with his own leader dog, demonstrated to the students foundational principles in leadership, management, communication and team-building. The tools presented are based on training techniques Leader Dogs for the Blind, named a “Best In America” Charity by the Independent Charities of America (ICA), has been using for more than 80 years as part of their mission to empower people who are blind or visually impaired to lead independent lives.
Andy Guest, Notre Dame's head of school, helped facilitate today's session due to his acquaintance with Dzialo as a parent and fellow NDHS alum. (Guest graduated from NDHS in 1984, Dzialo in 1982.)
Senior Lorenzo Minaudo is with Leader Dogs volunteer Mike Toger and Ellie, the dog.
According to Leader Dog, the communication procedures that Leader Dog-trained people and their dogs use to successfully cross busy intersections, find restaurants and navigate bustling airports are the same techniques used by efficient and prosperous people as they communicate with their team members and other colleagues.
"Notre Dame students went on two blindfolded walks with Leader Dogs this morning and engaged in other interactive activities," Dzialo said. "They also were taught the interpersonal skills they most likely will need to successfully lead others as they enter college and then into professional careers."
Jeff Hawkins, who is visually impaired, conducts the workshop with his dog, Gracie, nearby.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.