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Where We Serve: Oakland

Quick Facts

Life in the City

The Fruitvale neighborhood is full of fun shops and restaurants, including some of the best taquerias in the city. ACErs also enjoy their close proximity to San Francisco and Sacramento (home of another ACE community).

For more information about ACE, including how to apply, click HERE.

Oakland
In Oakland, ACErs are working daily to build relationships with the residents of the Fruitvale neighborhood, which they and their students call home. This relatively new site, established in 2011, is in response to the needs of the neighborhood's Latino families, who comprise the fastest growing population of the American Catholic Church.

Teachers Serving This Community

  • Tim Woodward

    Tim Woodward | ACE 18

    Teaches Middle School Social Studies, Language Arts, and Religion at St. Elizabeth Elementary

    What is your favorite teaching moment?

    My favorite teaching moment happened during a class meeting in January. We were sitting in a circle, sharing the issues that were on our hearts, and a shy student stood up and said her parents were getting divorced. The room was silent. I was unsure of what to say, to both her and to the class. Before I said anything, one of the toughest girls unexpectedly went over to the shy girl and gave her a hug. "My parents just went through this," she said, "and I'm going to help you every step of the way." Another student piped up, "I'll help you, too." More responses: "Same here," "Me, too", "You got this, girl". Christ was alive in our classroom.

    Background

    B.A. Psychology and American Studies, University of Notre Dame
    Originally from Overland Park, KS
  • Rachel Marchand

    Rachel Marchand | ACE 18

    Teaches 6th Grade at St. Jarlath

    What is your favorite ACE tradition, and why?

    My favorite ACE tradition is December Retreat. Your first semester of teaching is a rewarding, but very challenging one. Knowing that you were going to see all of your friends the first week in December was very comforting. I can still remember seeing my friends upon arrival in Austin, and it was great to know that we were going to have the next three days to spend time and relax together. Everyone had told me how great retreat was, but I could not have imagined how rewarding it was. Not only was it great to just be with 180 other teachers going through the same thing as you, but it was also the moment I realized how wonderful people in ACE truly are. I recognized the fact that everyone in the room had dedicated two years of their lives to service to Catholic schools and how humble they were about this sacrifice. I left December retreat recharged and rejuvenated, personally, spiritually, professionally, and with the ACE community.

    Background

    B.S. Political Science with a minor in History, University of Pennsylvania
    Originally from Camp Hill, PA
  • Mike Wagner

    Mike Wagner | ACE 18

    Teaches Middle School Social Studies, Language Arts, and Religion at St. Elizabeth Elementary

    What is your favorite Community story?

    In the spring, Rachel ran a half-marathon in support of breast cancer awareness and her mother's battle through it. Tim and I were eager to support her during the race, so come race day, we were all set to cheer her on. After bonding with the race photographer at Mile 11 for quite a while, Rachel finally had reached us - we were so thrilled to see her, but she was even more excited to see us! We had so much fun celebrating her finish at the expo after the race - the photo booth pictures are priceless.

    Background

    B.A. Classics and Greek and Roman Civilization, University of Notre Dame
    Originally from St. Louis, MO
  • Tim Woodward
  • Rachel Marchand
  • Mike Wagner

Schools We Serve

ACE teachers serve at the following schools:

 

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