Welcoming The Nora Project to CEL!
Creating a More Connected, Compassionate World – Together
The Nora Project, a like-minded nonprofit focused on teaching empathy and inclusion in schools, is being integrated into CEL. This integration comes after a deep mutual respect between our organizations and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive world.
The Nora Project equips students and educators with the tools to understand and embrace disabilities. This thoughtful and mission-aligned integration into CEL expands the impact of your support into earlier stages of life, reaching students in classrooms and helping them grow up with the values lived out every day at CEL.
About The Nora Project
The Nora Project was founded to create a dignified place for Disability Studies in PreK-12 education. We provide robust learning opportunities aligned with our values – that disability is a natural part of human diversity, and that all ways of being should be honored and respected. Learn More!
We empower educators with training.
We engage students with curricula.
We share resources with educators, families and communities.
We build inclusive classrooms.
Curricula
The Nora Project’s curricula teaches students that there is no such thing as normal and all ways of being are valuable. Our units introduce key concepts in 9-17 lesson units (30-minutes/lesson). Units can be used flexibly and include implementation support for teachers.
Professional Learning
The Nora Project provides professional learning courses and webinars to support teachers and district and building level administrators in learning and effectively teaching about ableism, and disability history, studies and advocacy.
Standards
The Nora Project’s Standards for Inclusive Schools are intended to be used as a roadmap for building inclusive schools where all students with and without disabilities are welcomed as their full and authentic selves, respected as integral parts of the community, and empowered to advocate for themselves and others.
The Standards for Inclusive Schools are organized under the domains of Diversity, Community, and Advocacy. For clarity within these domains, the Standards are written into Educator and Student roles, acknowledging these frequently exist in learning spaces, and also understanding the fluidity of them.
Free Resources
Check out The Nora Project’s free resources below:
Meet The Team
Courtney Adams
What is your favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL?
What I love most about The Nora Project is getting to offer curricula and professional learning that helps demystify disability as a meaningful and celebrated part of the human experience. I’m proud that we create learning experiences that promote empathy and inclusion, shift mindsets, and help students and educators build more inclusive communities. I love witnessing the “a-ha” moments when deeper understanding leads to more inclusive classrooms. Now, as part of the CEL team, I’m really excited about the chance to grow our reach and deepen our impact alongside people who share the same passion for belonging and inclusion.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I’m a big fan of mayonnaise – on sandwiches, as a dip, you name it. Apparently, my love for mayo has become a bit of a “thing,” because friends and colleagues regularly send me mayo-related memes, articles, and product launches. I didn’t set out to make it part of my personality, but here we are… and now it’s made its way into my bio 🙂
Dr. Janie Avant
What is your favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL?
My favorite part about The Nora Project/CEL is providing access to disability informed curricula that most students would not otherwise receive.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
My husband and I went diving with sharks…on our honeymoon!
Rebecca Greene
What is your favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL?
What I love most about CEL is the way every person — staff and members alike — is genuinely welcomed, accepted, and valued for who they are. Empathy is at the core of everything we do, and our deep commitment to inclusiveness creates spaces where everyone truly feels a sense of belonging. There’s a shared spirit of continuous learning and growth that shines through in every aspect of our work that makes CEL stand out above the rest.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I spent nearly ten years of my 20s living in Ghana, West Africa. During that time, I had the privilege of working alongside grassroots, locally run nonprofit organizations doing extraordinary work in education, disability support, and medical care. Those years deeply shaped who I am and how I see the world. And hands down, my favorite meal was jollof rice with chicken—especially when it was made by my host grandmother and accompanied by a cold glass bottle of Coke.
Bobby Hodges-Langley
What is your favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL?
My favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL is how real the impact is. You can see students shift in how they think about each other while building more inclusive communities.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I have been on over 200 different roller coasters.
Email Bobby
847.597.1914
Jordyn Zimmerman
What is your favorite thing about The Nora Project/CEL?
Empowering educators and engaging with students to build inclusive classrooms excites me on a daily basis! It’s so important that all people have the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive in community. As The Nora Project is now part of CEL, I am even more eager for our impact and the work we can do together.
What is a fun fact about YOU?
I enjoy traveling and tend to pack light, but I usually include one wild card item. Last time it was confetti!
You belong at CEL!
Programs are centered on YOU! Choose from a wide range of social, recreational, and educational enrichment programs available seven days a week. Check out our program guide and learn how to get started today!
Enrich lives today!
Your donation will transform and enrich the lives of our members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.