Who We Are Looking For
Who is ACE looking for?
We’re looking for energetic, passionate leaders who welcome the challenges of beginning teaching, who can maintain a sense of perspective throughout the two-year experience, and who are able to create community both where they live and in the schools in which they work. Effective ACE teachers demonstrate maturity, leadership skills, and the ability to work independently. Strong candidates for ACE will display an excellent work ethic, a solid academic record, and experience in service and extra-curricular activities.
Still, ACE teachers don’t fit into a mold – there’s no “typical” candidate for the program. We’ve welcomed graduates from nearly every academic discipline from more than 100 colleges and universities across the country and around the world. As an applicant, we’ll get to know you as well as possible, looking beyond your transcripts and resumes as we search for qualified individuals who will bring life and hope to the schools and classrooms we serve.
What could I teach in ACE?
As an ACE teacher, you may teach any subject in every level from 2nd grade through seniors in high school, though you will primarily teach core subject areas such as math, English, science, social studies, foreign language, or religion. Sometimes schools need teachers to teach a class or two outside these core areas and you might have the chance to work in art, drama, music, physical education, or computers.
ACE welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines, including education. Please note, however, that ACE is an initial licensure program. Therefore, all candidates already certified to teach may not be placed as an ACE teacher within their prior area of certification. For example, a candidate already certified to teach grades K-6 as an undergraduate must be placed in grades 7-12 as a member of ACE. However, if you have an elementary license that is K-3, for example, we can extend your license to K-6 through the state of Indiana.
We encourage applications from those with strong backgrounds in mathematics, natural sciences, or foreign language (especially Spanish), and those of varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Does ACE only serve Catholic schools?
The mission of ACE is to sustain and strengthen Catholic education, therefore, ACE chooses to serve only in Catholic schools.
Does everyone in ACE live in community?
All participants should be willing to live and work in community. Only the ACE South Bend teachers, who teach in local South Bend area schools, are not required to live in community, making it easier for married people and parents to serve in Catholic schools.
Do I need to be Catholic to apply to ACE?
Religious affiliation is not a determinant for acceptance. Therefore, you need not be Catholic in order to apply and become an ACE teacher.
