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Support in ACE South Bend

Is it true that the first years of teaching can be the most difficult years of one’s professional life?

Beginning teaching isn’t easy, and the statistics published by the National Education Association (NEA) show how difficult it can be, as many teachers leave the profession soon after entering the field. Compare their statistics with ACE’s, and you’ll see that the ACE program’s academic preparation, faculty, staff, and community provide members with the support they need not just to stay in teaching, but to excel.

According to the NEA:

• 20% of graduates of traditional teacher-education programs leave education within the first three years.
• Nearly 50% leave in the first five years.

In sharp contrast to the national figures, ACE enjoys a remarkably high retention rate:

• 95% of ACE teachers graduate from the program.
• More than 75% of all ACE graduates remain in education, most as teachers.

What kind of support can I expect from ACE during this difficult time?

It is clear that the most important service ACE can provide its beginning teachers is a solid network of support, both to enable professional growth and to encourage personal and spiritual development. Supervision is a crucial element of the ACE teacher formation process, and is often cited by ACE teachers as the key element that enables them to flourish so quickly as first-year teachers. Every ACE South Bend teacher has at least four support resources at their disposal throughout their two years in ACE South Bend: ACE Academic Supervisor, ACE Pastoral Staff Contact, School Principal, and Mentor Teacher.

Finally, local diocesan resources include the faculty of the schools, the local superintendent, former ACE teachers, and Notre Dame alumni club members, who welcome and support the ACE South Bend teachers in their service to area Catholic schools.