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Where We Serve: Phoenix

Quick Facts

Life in the City

Aside from all there is to do in the city, Phoenix is just hours from countless breathtaking National and State parks (Grand Canyon and Sedona to name a few). Though most people think Arizona is just a desert, we’ve got quite the varied geography. From waterfalls, to pine forests, to mountains, and lots of cacti- we’ve got it all (well most of it). For example, even when it is a temperate 70 in the city there is great skiing just two hours away in Flagstaff. We are also an easy two hours form our friends in Tucson. And to top it all off, it averages 306 sunny days a year!

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

Phoenix

Phoenix is an easy city to navigate, though a car is a must. The Valley houses a sprawling metropolis where one can rub elbows with the wealthy and refined in Scottsdale, the co-eds in Tempe or the salt of the earth in Goodyear. Phoenix boasts of many fine dining establishments (including In-n-Out) and offers sport-enthusiasts endless entertainment (can you say Spring Training? oh and Go Cardinals!). Recreational activities abound in the city from hiking Camelback Mountain to golfing to floating down the Salt River.

Teachers Serving This Community

  • Ryan Costello

    Ryan Costello | ACE 19

    Teaches Middle School Social Studies at St. John Vianney

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

    Being able to talk with the ACE 18s in our Social Studies content course has been great. Getting ideas and hearing experiences from last year has been incredibly helpful.

    Background

    B.A. History, University of Notre Dame
    Originally from San Antonio, TX
  • Laura Hewins

    Laura Hewins | ACE 19

    Teaches High School Foreign Language at Bourgade Catholic High School

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

    I'm excited to have the opportunity to live in the western part of the country. The culture is so different from the East Coast, which is where I'm from. I'm looking forward to getting to know more about Phoenix, which, by all accounts, is a gorgeous and fun place to live.

    Background

    B.A. Spanish with a minor in History, Saint Mary's College of Maryla
    Originally from Catonsville, MD
  • Shay Kleinpeter

    Shay Kleinpeter | ACE 19

    Teaches 5th Grade at St. Vincent de Paul

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

    The Educational Technology class has definitely been a treat. The professor definitely makes the course terrific.

    Background

    B.A. History with a minor in Pychology, Holy Cross College
    Originally from Baton Rouge, LA
  • Katherine Schober

    Katherine Schober | ACE 19

    Teaches Middle School Science at St. Vincent de Paul

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

    The Educational Technology class has definitely been a treat. The professor definitely makes the course terrific.

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

    I said "yes" to ACE because I discovered unexpected joy in working with inner city middle school students throughout my college years. I realized that pursuing the vocation of a Catholic school teacher would build on these experiences by allowing me to share my faith, build deep connections, and work to bring about greater opportunities for others. Finally, ACE provides spiritual centering and the strength of community throughout all stages of preparation and teaching--gifts that set it apart from other teacher education programs I explored.

    Background

    B.S. Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish, Marquette University
    Originally from New Berlin, WI
  • Daniel Thele

    Daniel Thele | ACE 19

    Teaches High School Social Studies at Bourgade Catholic High School

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

    I've enjoyed high school methods with Doc Doyle because he does an excellent job of modeling what he looks like as a high school teacher. Not only does the class give us the opportunity to actively plan for the coming year, but we can see how he runs a classroom, providing us the chance to reflect on how we plan on running ours. The class is never just academic, and always focuses on ensuring we're as prepared as possible to serve our students well.

    Background

    B.A. Political Science with a minor in Public Policy, Dartmouth College
    Originally from Burlington, IA
  • Carolyn Garcia

    Carolyn Garcia | ACE 19

    Teaches 3rd Grade at St. John Vianney

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

    The people here are great--from the other ACErs to the staff members to my practicum students!

    Background

    B.A. English, University of Notre Dame
    Originally from Fairmont, WV
  • Ryan Costello
  • Laura Hewins
  • Shay Kleinpeter
  • Katherine Schober
  • Daniel Thele
  • Carolyn Garcia

Schools We Serve

ACE teachers serve at the following schools: