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Life in the City

Phoenix is a vibrant city known for its stunning sunsets and its year-round sunshine. As the fifth-largest city in the U.S., Phoenix offers the perfect blend of big city perks and rural, natural beauty. We enjoy easy access to Mexican cuisine, professional sports teams, and a vibrant downtown. Nearby to the Grand Canyon, scenic Sedona, and snowy Flagstaff, Phoenix experiences over 300 sunny days each year!

ACE Phoenix

HometownTom Betterly

Hazleton, PA

Undergraduate Institution

Saint Joseph's University

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Mathematics - Secondary Education

If you had to pick one word to describe your ACE experience thus far, what would it be? Why?

Boundless. I have experienced a deep and unyielding sense of self-discovery and exploration since beginning ACE.

HometownDonna Carinato

Western Springs, IL

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: Biology and Art History

How do you hope to grow in you experience as an ACE teacher? 

I hope to grow in my ability to effectively conduct a classroom and create a strong learning environment within my classroom, while also growing in service and learning from my kids as much as they learn from me! I am hoping to embrace being outside of my comfort zone and get to fully immerse myself in a new city and hopefully grow from the new experience!

HometownKate Jensen

Omaha, NE

Undergraduate Institution

Benedictine College

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Elementary Education and Spanish

What is one of your favorite memories from your first year in ACE Teaching Fellows?

One of my favorite memories from my first year was the All Saint's Day parade. My students and I researched and dressed up as our favorite saints. It was such a joy to see my students get excited about these great role models in our faith!

HometownSean Kelley

Pittsburgh, PA

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: Anthropology and French

Minor: Theology

If you had to pick one word to describe your ACE experience thus far, what would it be? Why?

God-Willed. In this experience, there have certainly been peaks and valleys, yet I am struck by all those moments where God showed me that this is where I need to be. Whether this was in the joy of the students, the laugh of a housemate, or the support from our cohort, I am right where I need to be.

HometownSpeedy Laster

Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Undergraduate Institution

Stanford University

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Public Policy

Minor: Classical Studies

How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE teacher? 

By spending the next two years as an ACE Teacher, I hope to strengthen my personal relationship with God while also developing professional skills that will serve me well after ACE.

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