Alliance for Catholic Education
As 2016 draws to a close, we look back on the past year and our 16 biggest stories and blog posts.
1. Mercy and Compassion: Fr. Joe Corpora Reflects on His Papal Appointment
In early January, our own Fr. Joe Corpora, C.S.C. received an invitation from Pope Francis to serve the Jubilee Year of Mercy in a special role as a Missionary of Mercy. The charge of the role, as outlined in Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy), encourages designated priests to extend Jesus Christ's call to welcome all into the church, sinners and saints alike, particularly through the priests' role as confessors.
To see more of Fr. Joe's blog posts during the Year of Mercy, visit magazine.nd.edu.
2. Notre Dame ACE Academies Network Expands to Indianapolis and Palm Beach
The University of Notre Dame established six new Notre Dame ACE Academies in partnerships with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Diocese of Palm Beach in the 2016-17 school year. The Notre Dame ACE Academies are a network of 14 academically excellent, financially sustainable, and distinctively Catholic K-8 schools that serve nearly 3,600 students.
3. ACE Haiti receives $6.3 million award from USAID
ACE Haiti announced in December that it would receive $6.3 million to fund its work increasing literacy rates among Haitian children. Along with partners such as Notre Dame's Initiative for Global Development, the ACE Haiti team will expand what it's accomplished with earlier efforts to more than 30,000 students in Haiti.
4. New York Times Follows Notre Dame Graduates through Religious Discernment in ACE
New York Times religion commentator Samuel Freedman, who wrote about ACE's faith communities in Tucson in 2012, digs deeper into the unique formation provided by the ACE Teaching Fellows program. He spent a weekend with some of our teachers during the ACE Summer and walked away with an insightful look at the impact ACE has on preparing those who have discerned the call to priesthood and religious life.
Visit ace.nd.edu/resources for Discernment Resources and more information.
5. New Program for Inclusive Education Responds to Need in Catholic Schools
In September, ACE announced the establishment of the Program for Inclusive Education, a range of educational opportunities aimed at supporting the needs of all learners that will welcome its first cohort of inclusive educators in the summer of 2017.
Interested in becoming an Inclusive Educator? Apply today!
6. The Middle School Roller Coaster
Gearing up for a day with middle schoolers is the emotional equivalent of strapping into a rickety wooden roller coaster. Even if you are brave enough to battle through the heavy morning mist of recently applied AXE body spray, more danger this way lies. Darby Evans (ACE 22 - Fort Worth) gives a humorous look into her English classroom.
7. "Getting the Word Out" Helps Boost a School's Enrollment
"An oldie, but a goodie" from 2012 highlights Remick Leader Gina Groch's action research project and how the basic principles of marketing might be applied to help increase a Catholic school's enrollment.
8. ACE Welcomes 23rd Cohort of Teaching Fellows
In May, we welcomed the newest cohort of teachers joining ACE Teaching Fellows—a group of 95 recent college graduates who have distinguished themselves with a record of academic achievement, dedication to serving marginalized communities, and zeal for empowering children through Catholic schools.
Applications for our next cohort of Teaching Fellows are now being accepted. Start yours today!
9. Why the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Is a Win for Catholic Schools
On Thursday, December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which contains major revisions to title funding mechanisms. This post breaks down why this was encouraging news for Catholic schools and highlights three things that every Catholic school educator needs to know.
10. When We Knock and the Door is Opened: Alec Torigian and the Call to Teach
Alec Torigian was looking for an open door, only to realize that God's call to him didn't look anything like an open door at all. The first in our series of ACE Graduate spotlights, this story explores Alec's return to the classroom at The Academy of St. Benedict the African.
Do you know someone who should be featured in our graduate spotlights? Let us know by emailing aceadvoc@nd.edu.
11. A Note from Dr. Kati Macaluso, the New Director of ACE Advocates
Eleven years have passed since Kati Macaluso stepped foot in her English classroom at Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to begin her ACE teaching experience. In May, she returned home to Notre Dame to take on the role of Director of ACE Advocates.
12. ACE Honors Distinguished Service to Catholic Education with Annual Awards
As part of an annual tradition to recognize the outstanding work of its graduates and supporters, ACE honored five members of the Catholic education community who have set themselves apart with their commitment to their fields of expertise.
13. Three Strategies for Every Educator's Summer "Vacation"
Many people misunderstand the work of being a teacher since much of it is hidden from the students' (and parents') eyes. Dr. Brian Collier was asked what suggestions he has for teachers during their summer "vacations." He recommended three R's: rest, re-engage and read.
Ever wonder what an ACE Summer is like? Here's an inside peek:
14. Why What We Believe about Students Really Matters
In the current political climate of education reform and high-stakes accountability, we often hear calls for "higher expectations." But why are high expectations so important? Frankie Jones, a faculty member in the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, unpacks the power of expectations in the lives of our students.
15. Building Change at the Heart of the Education System
ACE 9's Brian Hayes' students forced him to look at the bigger picture, and his journey from teacher to assistant principal to non-profit executive has reflected that wider view.
16. To My Younger, Less Sleep-Deprived Self
Navigating life after college inevitably teaches you some hard-earned lessons. Grace Carroll of ACE 22 believes that serving as an ACE teacher brings with it a different type of wisdom. Thinking about ACE? Read the fine print one more time. You have no idea about the challenges and joys you are signing up for!