Where We Serve: Brownsville

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What is your favorite teaching moment?

We had just finished a 45 minute night hike on the 8th grade class trip. We were expecting to find a campfire and smores for us when we finally reached the top. When we got there we only found a few logs and a water bucket only halfway filled. Needless to say, the students were devastated. In a quick decision I grabbed the camp counselor and sprinted down the trail that we had just taken up. After 10 minutes of what seemed like endless sprinting and turning, we finally reached the camp at the bottom. We grabbed a 'gator' and the needed supplies and raced up to the top of the hill. None of the students really noticed what had happened... except one. He came up to me later and thanked me. We shared no profound words, but the simple appreciation that he showed made not only that sprint, but the marathon of the whole year worth it.

 

Why did you say 'yes' to serving with ACE?

I said yes to serving with ACE because I believe in a) the power of education to change lives, and b) Catholic education's commitment to moral formation. In my opinion, Catholic schools are doing the best job in the country of preparing all students to succeed in the future. ACE itself does a wonderful job of preparing its teachers to be excellent and, more importantly, of doing everything in their power to support their teachers. I have known for some time now that I wanted to be a part of this program and the wider mission that it supports.

What is your favorite ACE tradition, and why?

My favorite ACE tradition is the talent show. It's exciting to see people show off skills and talents that might not be on display all summer/year long.

What has been an ACE summer class that you've enjoyed so far?

I really enjoyed the introduction to teaching segments with Dr. Collier and Dr. Burke. In a short time I learned a great deal about the history of American Catholic schools, all while being exposed to teaching techniques.

What are you most looking forward to about your ACE site?

Brownsville is universally known as one of the best communities in ACE: great schools, great people. I'm especially excited to experience the Brownsville culture, eat some good tacos, and shop at the pulga.

How has ACE shaped your spiritual life?

It's provided an opportunity for me to engage daily in the most formative and valuable spiritual experience of my life. Teaching in Catholic schools, even outside of religion class or any explicitly spiritual context, is ministry. I have also found spirituality through community. For example, the greatest of all ACE parties, the Brownsville Labor Day--there is no more unifying experience of community across communities for ACE teachers in Texas.

What's been the best moment of your ACE experience so far?

I think one of the funniest comes from my first weekend in Brownsville. Our ACE 17s decided to welcome us to B'ville with a photo scavenger hunt around town. One of the tasks was to take a picture with the "Welcome to the United States" sign. Obviously, this involved getting very close to the Mexican border and somehow we made a wrong turn. Next thing we knew we were in Mexico without our passports! About an hour later and many pleading, we made it back to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

What is your favorite teaching moment?

My students LOVE hearing stories about the saints. One morning, I was telling them about my confirmation saint, St. Bernadette. We talked about the grotto at Notre Dame, modeled after the one in Lourdes, Frances, where Mary appeared to Bernadette. One of my students asked, "Miss Yerkes, how can I see Mary?" Another student answered, "You pray." Another student asked if we could pray to Mary, and I said yes, but then the class asked if we could all kneel. Without me saying anything, my entire class knelt on the floor and prayed three Hail Mary's. I made a motion to get up and continue class, but I noticed my students were continuing to pray. As they finished, they quietly waited for every single person to finish praying. I have never seen such genuine prayer, nor a quieter, and more peaceful classroom.