Austin | Alliance for Catholic Education

Life in the City

Over in Austin, you can find ACE teachers hanging out at the Central Library, thrifting on Guadalupe Street, eating breakfast tacos at Veracruz, sipping coffee from Desnudo, walking along Lady Bird Lake, or singing along to the many live music shows! We love watching the bats fly out from the South Congress Ave. Bridge, going to UT games, and two-stepping at The White Horse. Y’all are welcome anytime!

ACE Austin

James Dolan

ACE 32
San Juan Diego
HS Social Studies

Emily Houston

ACE 33
St. Theresa
MS Science

Colleen Murdock

ACE 32
St. Ignatius Martyr
5th Grade

Dave Orecchio

ACE 33
St. Dominic Savio
HS Social Studies

Greg Vogt

ACE 33
St. Ignatius Martyr
MS Math

Hometown

Mohegan Lake, NY

Undergraduate Institution

Georgetown University

Undergraduate Studies

Major: History

Minors: Government & Music

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

Clarifying. No vocation has pulled the best parts of life into clearer view for me quite like teaching.

Hometown

Washington, DC

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Neuroscience and Behavior

What are you most looking forward to most as an ACE teacher this year?

I am most looking forward to exploring Austin with my community members! I cannot wait to wear my boots out in town, experience the city's unique culture, and try all the local food and activities that make Austin such a vibrant place to live. I am also excited to build meaningful friendships with my fellow ACE teachers as we navigate this year together, supporting one another through the joys and challenges of teaching. Most of all, I look forward to becoming part of the school community, getting to know my students, and growing alongside them both academically and spiritually throughout the year.

Hometown

Wilmette, IL

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Global Affairs

Minor: Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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

I hope to grow closer to my faith and better understand God’s vision for me in calling me to serve as a Catholic school teacher. I would like to grow to become more like “Christ the Teacher” and learn how I can share God's love more fully through teaching.