ACE Teaching Fellows

Current ACE Teachers & School Leaders Resources

ACE Tshirt Group Photo - Summer 2024

Recap & Important Links

ACE 32 April Retreat Follow-up

Welcome, ACE 32! Thanks for joining us for April Retreat. Please refer to the links below to review any information discussed. If you have questions, please contact:

Academic Calendar & Textbook Links

Access Your Application Portal 

Summer 2025 Important Dates 

ACE Summer Resources

St. Anthony Commons Hours

Monday - Thursday: 7:00a - 9:00p 

Friday: 7:00a - 6:30p

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00a - 9:00p

ACE Teaching Fellows Office Suite Hours (Mail)

Monday - Thursday: 7:00a - 9:00p 

Friday: 7:00a - 5:00p 

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: 12:00p - 5:00p 

North Dining Hall 

Breakfast: 7:00a - 8:30 ** Note: NDH will open at 6:30a for continental breakfast any morning there is practicum. 

Lunch: 11:00a - 2:00p

Dinner: 4:30p - 8:00p

RecSports Facilities 

Smith Center (Duncan Student Center)

Monday - Friday: 5:45a - 7:00p

Saturday: 9:00a - 4:00p

Sunday: CLOSED

 

Summer Course Schedule & Textbooks

Summer Attendance Policy

The summer session affords limited time for course work, therefore, presence is critical.  Absences that extend beyond a day can only be granted by the Academic Director and these include absences for family weddings, wedding party commitments, and unusual family, health, or undergraduate situations (e.g. completion of finals, graduation). When possible, it is expected that the ACE teacher will communicate such absences before they occur.  Absences for health reasons do not need to be granted by the Academic Director but may require a medical note if requested by one’s professors.   

Non-family weddings and vacation days are not excused absences. Summer faculty members are encouraged to note their policy regarding unexcused absences on course syllabi and these typically will involve a grade reduction or additional assignment.

If you perceive any conflicts for your summer schedule or need to request permission for an excused absence, please contact Kati Macaluso, M.Ed. Academic Director. Additionally, any conflicts with retreats need to be reviewed with John Schoenig, Senior Director of Teacher Formation and Policy.

ACE Teachers

Practicum Supervisors

Cooperating Teachers

Please complete the Cooperating Teacher Feedback Form this summer. 

2024 Cooperating Teacher Feedback Form Coming Soon!

 

Academic Resources

For Principals & Mentor Teachers:

Principal Handbook Quick Reference GuideMentor Teacher Handbook Quick Reference Guide

Please note: If you have any questions about the above forms, please email Paige James at phamilt2@nd.edu.

ACE Planning Guide Files

The book is also available by searching "ACE Planning Guide" in the iBooks Store on any iOS device.

This version includes all interactive elements, images, and videos and should be chosen if possible.

Assessment Analysis

Unit & Lesson Planning

Religion Resources

Br. Walter Bernard Gluhm, CSC, served the community as a Holy Cross Brother until his recent passing in March 2023. Br. Walter loved working with junior high students, teaching religious education and directing Confirmation preparation. Linked below are free, available resources Br. Walter wished to share with the ACE community before his passing:

Planning Resource Files

 

Sink of Swim: Preparing Students for Collaboration in Small Groups

by Eric Av, Kevin Diggins, and Chloe Sprang

View the full guide

 

Are You Out of Your (Mind)Sets?!: Implementing Effective Mindset Interventions

by Alex Lehan, Benedict Leonardi, and Connor Reilly

View the full guide

 

Unfinished Business: Recommendations for Closing the COVID-19 Learning Gap

by Mary Rose Raque, Melissa Pavloff, and Emma Mangels

View the full guide

 

Feedback, Format, and Frequency of Homework: From Failing to Flying

by Mike Badzey, Kate Bauman, Pat McGee, and Annie Morejón

View the full guide

 

Scrap Strictness: How to Manage (Mis)Behavior Before It Happens

by Kate Bockholt, Jack Harness, Sara Levy and Kenta Sachen

View the full guide
 

 

Pastoral Resources

Community Prayer Resources

The heart of community life in ACE is community dinner & prayer. Looking for inspiration for this week's community prayer, check out this resource -- a compilation of community prayer ideas from current and former ACE teachers: 

ACE Community Prayer Resources

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: unotredamestudents22-23. 

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 Fatih.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

Community Dinner Resource

We read in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread." Meals are sacramental -- ways to encounter those we live with, as well as those we work alongside. Looking for inspiration for this week's community dinner check out this resource -- a compilation of community dinner recipes and stories from former ACE teachers:

ACE Cookbook

Well-being Resources

Student Support Specialist

Judy Madden_photoJudy Madden serves as the Associate Director for Student Support Services for both the ACE Teaching Fellows and Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. She focuses her energy on providing mental health tools and resources for teachers and leaders in these programs. These resources have included referrals for counseling, coaching on habits of wellness and resiliency skills, and equipping the teachers and leaders to administer mental health first aid and suicide prevention. She can be reached at jmadden2@nd.edu or 574.344.3668 (cell).

Schedule a time here

Mental Health Resources (Apps & Websites) 

The resources linked in the document below are intended as some concrete tools to have in your "toolbox" when you or your students may be struggling with including: anxiety, ADHD, breathing/relaxation, gratitude, mindfulness, mood, perfectionism, and sleep. This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a starter set; I invite you to a conversation if you have questions or if you would like to discuss these challenges more fully. 

Mental Health Resources

Calm App

Calm App Logo

The Calm app is designed to promote health and wellness. From improving sleep quality to reducing stress and anxiety, Calm was built to help you. As a student at Notre Dame, you receive a free premium subscription to the service. Click the link below to learn more about the services provided and sign up. 

Calm App Subscription

Personal Well-beingWellbeing for Life Wellness Wheel

Achieving well-being doesn’t mean achieving perfection in all areas of life. Well-being is a balancing act. The first step toward achieving greater balance in your life is understanding the eight dimensions of the wellness: Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social, and Spiritual. The more you know about the factors that influence the eight aspects of your well-being, the easier the balancing act becomes. Check-out the resources available to you as a Notre Dame graduate student to promote your well-being. 

                                                                                     Well-being Resources

TimelyCare at Notre Dame 

We encourage you to utilize TimelyCare at Notre Dame for your individual counseling and psychiatric needs. This is a confidential tele-health service that includes up to 12 free sessions of ongoing counseling per academic year. You have 12 sessions for each academic year (August 1 - July 31).

We find that most students are able to make significant gains in 4-6 sessions. If you find that you need additional sessions beyond the 12 free sessions, TimelyCare offers the option for you to continue to utilize their services for roughly $80/session. TimelyCare offers appointment options beyond the UCC’s M-F 9-4:30 hours and is likely to be a much better fit for your busy schedules. We strongly recommend that you utilize TimelyCare for ongoing counseling.

TimelyCare at Notre Dame

 

University Counseling Center Introduction

The University Counseling Center (UCC) is here to help all Notre Dame students through the personal changes, transitions, and growth that are inherent in the college experience. They offer a wide variety of resources to assist students in developing skills to support their mental well-being and services to assist students who are encountering difficulties that might require counseling and other professional interventions. Above all, the UCC provides a safe atmosphere where students are supported, cared for, and free to confidentially share anything that is on their minds.

Visit the University Counseling Center

What types of support are best for me?

Professionals who provide psychotherapy include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Below are some definitions of mental health providers to help you decide what the best option might be for you. The two most important factors are:    

             1. Does this person possess the skills and specialties needed to address my issue?      

             2. Do I feel we can establish a productive, working relationship with this person? Am I seen and heard?

Counselor

A counselor addresses an individual’s life in a very practical way.  According to the American Counseling Association, professional counselors “help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real solutions to the problems and challenges we all face in every area of life. As trained and credentialed professionals, they accomplish this by getting to know clients, by building safe, positive relationships and suggesting tools and techniques they believe will benefit clients”

Common degrees for counselors include Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, and Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC.

Therapist

A “therapist” is an overarching term for a clinician who treats mental health concerns. Therapists often have a master’s degree, but a psychologist with a doctorate degree may also be called a therapist.  According to the National Association of Social Workers, clinical social work is “a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.”

Common degrees for a master’s level therapist include a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT.

Psychologists

A psychologist works to improve their client’s mental and emotional health.  According to the American Psychological Association, “Psychologist’s study both normal and abnormal functioning and treat patients with mental and emotional problems. They also study and encourage behaviors that build wellness and emotional resilience.”

Common degrees for Psychologists are PhD, Psy. D, or Ed.D

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication to treat mental illness. According to the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, “a board-certified psychiatrist has specialized skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat problems ranging from emergencies to the long-term medical management of psychiatric disorders.”

Psychiatrists are practicing physicians who hold a M.D. or D.O. degree.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner of Mental Health (Psych NP or PHMP)

A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse trained to provide a wide range of mental health services to patients and families in a variety of settings. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, “the role of the PMHNP is to assess, diagnose and treat the mental health needs of patients. Many PMHNPs provide therapy and prescribe medications for patients who have mental health disorders or substance abuse problems.”

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners hold an NP or PHMP degree.

In the event of a mental health crisis, please dial 988 which will connect you to your immediate mental health crisis center or go to your nearest emergency room.

The website linked below outlines mental health providers in your local teaching community. You can search providers by areas of concern, insurance accepted and therapist identities. 

Instructions: 

  1. Click link below.
  2. Enter your ACE Community Site zip code into the "Location" search bar
  3. Select and set your filters.
  4. Click "Search"

You will then be given a list of providers from which to choose who specialize in working with graduate and undergraduate university students. The University of Notre Dame, and ACE, have confidence in this directory of mental health professionals. The list of providers is updated regularly. Feel free to contact Maria Candelaria Flukas (mcandela@nd.edu | 505-681-8617) for help in navigating this resource.

ACE Community Local Counseling Resource Guide

Administrative & Financial Resources

ACE teachers are responsible for the rent and utilities (which includes water, sewage, gas, and electric) of their local ACE community house from September of their first year through June of the year they complete the ACE Teaching Fellows program. The rent and utility policy proceeds as follows:ACE teachers are responsible for the rent and utilities (which includes water, sewage, gas, and electric) of their local ACE community house from September of their first year through June of the year they complete the ACE Teaching Fellows program. The rent and utility policy proceeds as follows:

  • For houses with all second year ACE teachers: ACE will pay ALL of July and August rent & utilities. The incoming ACE teachers will begin paying rent and utilities on September 1st. 
  • For houses with both first and second year teachers: ACE will pay the portion of the July and August rent & utilities that would have been paid by the graduated ACE teachers. For example, if two of the five ACE teachers in a house are graduating, ACE will pay 40% of the July and August rent & utilities.
  • For houses of all first year teachers: The ACE teachers are responsible for paying the rent and utilities for July and August between their first and second year.

Note, the ACE Business Office will NOT reimburse the cable or internet bill for July and August. In order to be reimbursed for July and August utilities, please send copies of your utility bills (water, sewage, gas, and electric) to Jeanne Flanagan, Assistant Business Coordinator, at jflanaga@nd.edu no later than October 13th. 

If you have questions, please contact your pastoral administrator. 

 

Throughout their two years in ACE, teachers are responsible for good stewardship of their personal and communal finances. The designed budget template can be used to better track personal finances, communal utility costs, as well as other expenses.

If you have any questions, please contact your pastoral administrator. 

 

  ACE Personal & Community Budget Templates

At the conclusion of each academic year, all ACE houses must undergo a yearly house inspection, conducted by the landlord. Please keep in mind the following:

  • All ACE houses should be left clean and in good condition for the summer. ACE teachers are expected to consult with their landlord to determine appropriate A/C levels for the vacated house, lawn care arrangements, and other maintenance expected of ACE teachers before departure. 
  • At the end of the year, graduating ACE teachers will be responsible for the condition of the common areas of the house. Each member will be responsible for the condition of his or her bedroom. The house must be left in similar condition as when the members moved in. Graduating members are expected to remove ALL their belongings from the house.
  • A House Inspection Form must be completed and emailed to Kathleen Fulcher, Senior Program Manager (ksucher@nd.edu), before you vacate your ACE house. It is the responsibility of the ACE community to schedule the house inspection with their its respective landlord.

  House Inspection Form

Note: If, upon inspection by your landlord, the house is not cleaned or is damaged, all graduated ACE teachers will be responsible for paying any necessary damage or cleaning costs. Return-to-South Bend travel support or diplomas may be withheld if costs are not paid or if this the House Inspection Form is not completed. 

ACE provides financial support with travel expenses related to one's service as a teacher. In total, assistance with travel expenses is provided three times: 

  1. To your ACE community placement site (Beginning of first year of teaching);
  2. To Notre Dame's campus (End of 1st year of teaching); and
  3. To your ACE community placement site (Beginning of second year of teaching).

Please refer to the ACE Travel Support Documentation & Process Overview for a full description of the travel stipend reimbursement policy.

  Driving Financial Support Form  Flight Financial Support Form 

Please note, ACE travel support is considered a Fellowship/Scholarship/Award (FSA) by the University of Notre Dame. Tax information regarding FSA payments can be found here.

Grants

ACE offers a variety of grants exclusively to ACE teachers to offset potential financial burdens that may be incurred throughout their service. Below, please find the application for available grants: 

  • College Football Playoff Foundation Grant - Awards for up to $2500 may be submitted by ACE teachers working in under resourced schools in order to fund needed education materials or opportunities for students.

  • Financial Support for Essential Teaching Supplies - Awards up to $50 for the purpose of supplying first-year ACE teachers with essential classroom supplies. 

  • Teacher Observation for Professional Development - Upon the approval of the Principal and University Supervisor, ACE will support the release-time expense of up to one half day for a substitute teacher for first-year ACE teachers to observe the classroom of an experienced and highly effective colleague.

  • Presentation Grants - Grants up to $800 will be awarded on a competitive basis to support Second-Year ACE teachers who wish to present at state, regional or national conferences.

Financial Hardship Support

ACE offers additional funding opportunities for ACE teachers who demonstrate financial need. Expenses that may be eligible for such support include academic resources (e.g. books, licensing exams, etc.), administrative requirements (e.g. background checks, fingerprinting, etc.), emergency travel, and professional teaching attire. ACE teachers may receive no more than $500 in hardship support funding per academic year. ACE teachers interested in accessing this support will work closely with the ACE Office through the following process:

  • The ACE teacher will contact Michael Comuniello, ACE's Senior Associate Director (mcomunie@nd.edu), to discuss the hardship context and explore alternative funding opportunities. 
  • If the opportunity for alternative funding opportunities are exhausted, the ACE teacher will submit the ACE Hardship Support Fund application form. 
  • The Senior Associate Director will evaluate the request and make a recommendation to the Senior Director of Teacher Formation & Education Policy and the Business Manager of the Institute for Educational Initiatives. Responses to funding requests may take up to 10 business days. 
  • If approved, ACE teachers must provide proof of payment (e.g. receipt, paid bill, etc.) to process reimbursement.

  Financial Hardship Support Fund

Loans

Each year of enrollment, a maximum $500 interest free loan is available to teach ACE teacher. In order to apply for this loan, ACE teachers should contact Michael Comuniello, Senior Associate Director (mcomunie@nd.edu). After discussing the matter, ACE teachers will be directed to fill out the Loan Agreement and Promissory Note linked below:

In the interest of supporting your ACE house community as you transition back to your respective cities, ACE provides financial support for your first community gathering each semester. Below, please note a few items for your attention:

  • Maximum reimbursement of $15/person within 14 days of occurrence;
  • Expenses must be submitted via a single receipt;
  • The gathering must take place before Oct. 15th (Fall Semester) or Apr. 21st (Spring Semester)
  • Alcohol will not be reimbursed. 

We encourage you to be creative in supporting a local business or community landmark. Please submit reimbursement using the form below; if submitting after the deadlines outlined above, please contact your pastoral administrator before completing this form. 

  Community Gathering Reimbursement Form

Student Loan Deferment

Upon enrollment in Notre Dame’s Graduate School as a full-time degree-seeking student, your student loans will be eligible for deferment until you graduate from ACE. To defer your loans, you will need to contact your lenders to see what paperwork they require. Usually, they will have a form that you will need to complete and take to the University of Notre Dame Registrar Office to verify your enrollment. Please note the following:

  • Loans will NOT be automatically deferred because you are enrolled in graduate school.
  • It is your responsibility to notify all of your lenders or your loans will go into default.

Student Loan Cancellation

If you have a Perkins Loan, you may be eligible for partial cancellation each year you teach. Note, if you are a STEM teacher, you may be eligible for cancellation; otherwise, if your school is on a list of under-privileged schools (including most Title I schools), you may also be eligible for Perkins loan cancellation. 

Please check the website listed below for the list of schools by state. You will need to defer your Perkins Loan and then complete paperwork at the end of your first year teaching to receive the cancellation benefit. 

Please see this website for more information.

Notre Dame Resources

Graduate Student Life Overview

As a member of ACE Teaching Fellows, you are a full-time graduate student at the University of Notre Dame. Therefore, you are entitled to the rights, privileges, and resources available to all graduate students even while serving in your respective ACE communities. Graduate Student Life serves as a phenomenal resource for any questions you may have about available resources pertaining to graduate life program & events, personal life & well-being, and professional development. If you have any questions, please visit the Graduate Student Lounge in 206 Duncan Student Center or contact Mimi Beck (mbeck1@nd.edu, Program Director of Graduate Student Life). 

Follow ND Grad Life on Twitter              Follow ND Grad Life on Instagram

The Center for Student Support and Care offers skills mentoring to help current Notre Dame graduate students foster the skills, behaviors, and habits that contribute to college success. These include:

  • academic goal setting
  • learning strategies 
  • time management and organization
  • self-regulation
  • self-efficacy

Students meet with their Skills Mentor on a regular basis for customized sessions specific to the student's individual needs. Many students find that working with a Skills Mentor not only serves to develop important life skills, but also provides a consistent point of accountability. Regular check-ins with a Skills Mentor help students with motivation, prioritization, and ultimately, to achieve success in the classroom. Please complete this registration form below to discuss your goals and to get paired with a Skills Mentor.

Skills Mentor Registration Form

GO Grants

Get out and go with GO Grants! With the generous sponsorship of the Graduate School, GO Grants provide funding to Notre Dame graduate students to participate in a wide variety of enriching and entertaining experiences. From concerts to kayaking, GO Grants can make it more affordable to get out and enjoy all your local community has to offer. Graduate students can apply for up to $20 per person in funding per ticketed event. There is no limit on the number of attendees per event, only that students must outnumber guests. The person applying is responsible for coordinating the group, purchasing and distributing tickets, and submitting all required documentation for reimbursement. For more details, please check out the GO Grants link below or contact gradlife@nd.edu. 

Learn More about GO Grants              Apply for a GO Grant

Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund

The Graduate Student Emergency Support Fund provides financial assistance toward resources that enable students in Graduate School programs to get the most from their Notre Dame experience. Examples of eligible assistance requests include:

  • natural disasters
  • fire damage
  • damaged/stolen computer
  • travel emergencies
  • death in the family
  • accidents
  • legal expenses
  • safety needs (e.g. changing a lock)

For each request, use the Google form linked below to formally request funds, noting not all requests for funding will be granted.

Request Graduate Student Emergency Financial Support

Graduate Student Life Orientation

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.) 
  • 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)

Rec Sports Summer Hours

All users of RecSports facilities will need to sign onto recregister.nd.edu to sign and acknowledge the updated facility use waiver in order to swipe into and have access to our facilities. Upon logging into RecRegister for the first time as of August 1, the Adult Facility Access Waiver will pop up. Please refer to the RecSports website for instructions regarding how to register for access. 

Summer Hours are listed below:

Smith Center, Duncan Student Center (3rd Floor)

Monday - Friday 5:45 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED

Rockne Memorial Lap & Therapy Pool Hours

Monday - Friday

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED