Ascent Programming

Collaborative Leadership Model

ACE Ascent reimagines the leadership structure of K-8 Catholic schools to employ a collaborative leadership model. This model positions teacher leaders in partnership with school and diocesan leaders to serve as catalysts for increasing academic rigor, strengthening professional collaboration and cultivating spirituality across the school community.

teacher

Teacher Leader

Teacher leaders bring content and pedagogical expertise to their schools' leadership teams and a keen understanding for ways to enliven the Catholic identity of mathematics classrooms. Through the ACE Ascent Program, our teacher leaders engage in two years of coursework focused on deepening their own spiritual growth, disciplinary expertise, and Christocentric leadership practices. This coursework is augmented by school-based field experiences and lived out through the accompaniment of peer teachers in their progressional journeys.
principal

School Leader

In a collaborative leadership model, the principal still serves in the traditional role as the school leader, but partners with the teacher leaders and the diocesan leader in support of student formation. Through the ACE Ascent Program, principals participate in Administrator Academies to learn how to optomize the collaborative leadership model with the goals of increasing instructional capacity, student learning, and spiritual formation across all grade levels. The Administrator Academies are designed using the lens of Christ the Teacher, they prioritize the virtues of humility and self-awareness, and they surface God's authority in all aspects of our lives. 
supers

Diocesan Leader

The diocesan leader functions as the ACE Ascent Program point person at the (Arch)Diocesan level. These leaders create the infrastructure for principal and teacher leader collaboration across schools as informed by their authentic understanding of the local educational landscape. Through our Administrator Academies, they develop leadership, communication, and school coordination skills. This role is motivated by our apostolic call to solidarity and community and shows witness to the Catholic faith through the "bringing together" of our Catholic schools.

Formation

Through two years of program coursework, teacher leaders are formed as master teachers and school leaders in mathematics curriculum and instruction. Through retreats and intentional coursework, particular attention is given to the meaningful integration of Catholic spirituality within this content area with the goal of surfacing the mutuality between faith and reason and forming intentional disciples. The ACE Ascent Program offers coursework for school principals and diocesan leaders to support their development as proponents of this collaborative leadership model.

Coursework

coursework

 

Faith and Reason

Participant Resources

Graduate Student Life is invested in the holistic well-being of our graduate students here at Notre Dame. Succeeding in the lab or classroom is at the center of being a graduate student, and developing as a person is an integral part of that journey. Below, please find compiled resources you can access as a member of the University of Notre Dame Graduate School community: 

  • Health & Well-Being (University Health Services, University Counseling Center, McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, Center for Student Support & Care, etc.) 
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (Gender Relations Center, Multicultural Student Programs & Services, International Student & Scholar Affairs)
  • Faith & Spirituality (Campus Ministry, Spiritual Direction, Mindful Meditation, Off-Campus Worship Resources)
  • Financial Well-Being (Free Tax Preparation Assistance, FDIC Financial Literacy Curriculum, Financial Resources)
  • National Help Hotlines (ND University Counseling Center Helpline, National Grad Crisis Line, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, National Sexual Assault Hotline)

 

Hallow AppHallow App Logo

The Division of Student Affairs has partnered with Hallow, a Catholic prayer and meditation app, to provide students in the Notre Dame community a personal resource to deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their mental health through an expansive library of faith-based prayer, meditation, sleep, and music content. 

If you already have a Hallow subscription, simply add the following promo code to your current account: unotredamestudents23-24. 

Access Hallow App

Faith.ND.edu

FaithND invites you to know, love, and serve God—a Notre Dame tradition anchored in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Join the Notre Dame family for shared reflection, learning, prayer, and service to those most in need.

Visit Faith.nd.edu

Local Interfaith Resources

Notre Dame is a place steeped in Catholic Christian faith and practice. However, from its earliest days, part of the mission of the Holy Cross Fathers has been to create a wonderful atmosphere of hospitality to all who visit or study here. Following the example of Jesus, the University of Notre Dame and its students, faculty and staff seek to provide warmth and hospitality to all regardless of one’s religious belief or practice.

View Local Interfaith Resources

Newspapers

The Hesburgh Library offers free subscriptions for students to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Sign up using your Notre Dame email credentials.

Newspaper Subscriptions

Calm App

The University offers a free premium subscription to the well-being app: Calm. Sign up using your Notre Dame email credentials.

Calm App

 

 

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