Alliance for Catholic Education
Brownsville
Life in the City
Our lives in Brownsville are marked by taquerias (taco restaurants) and raspa (snow-cone) stands on every corner, bilingual Mass every Sunday morning, and treasure-hunting at La Pulga (the flea market) on the weekends. Lounging on the beaches of South Padre Island in the middle of January isn’t bad, either. Experiencing America from a South-Texan vantage point is a new and often surprising experience for most ACE teachers, but for us, it has also been one of joy, warmth, and immense hospitality (and an unending supply of Mexican food).
ACE Brownsville
Michael Averill
Guadalupe Regional
MS Social Studies
Mike Badzey
Guadalupe Regional
MS Science
Matt Curoe
Saint Joseph Academy
HS Language Arts
Jack Harness
St. Joseph-Edinburg
MS Science
Mary Rose Hawkins
St. Joseph-Edinburg
4th Grade
Lizzie Todd
Our Lady of Sorrows
MS Social Studies
Hometown
Saugerties, NY
Undergraduate Institution
Siena College
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: Political Science and Spanish
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I said yes to ACE because I wanted to participate in a meaningful postgrad program that allows me to grow in my faith through service and community.
Hometown
Huntington Beach, CA
Undergraduate Institution
Texas A&M University
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Chemistry
Minor: STEM Education
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be?
Sanctifying
Hometown
Cincinnati, OH
Undergraduate Institution
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Studies
Major: English
Minors: Education and Philosophy
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I said "yes" to serving in Catholic schools because the academic rigor guided by the Catholic tradition is life giving. Being able to talk about critical issues with my students while diving into literature in the English classroom provides both students and teacher the opportunity to grow and learn about the world around them.
Hometown
Dublin, OH
Undergraduate Institution
University of Notre Dame
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Science Business
Minor: Latino Studies
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
ACE presents an exciting opportunity to experience true accompaniment, while learning and growing personally and spiritually alongside both students and community members.
Hometown
Pasadena, CA
Undergraduate Institution
Stanford University
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Human Biology
Minor: Art History
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be (and why)?
Rewarding. Though I have encountered challenges in ACE, the joy of surmounting the challenges, whether in classes, community, or my classroom, is rewarding.
Hometown
St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate Institution
University of Notre Dame
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: Film, Television, and Theatre and Political Science
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be (and why)?
Growth. This program challenges us to grow in our faith, academics, and friendships every day. It has not been easy, but I have felt stronger because of it!