Alliance for Catholic Education
Chicago
Life in the City
Chicago is a city filled with culture, food and sports. From deep dish Chicago-style pizza to Chicago dogs, there's something for every foodie. The Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum provide day long adventure destinations. Loyalties will be tested as Chicago boasts two baseball teams, the White Sox and Cubs.
ACE Chicago
Kate Bockholt
St. Sylvester
MS Science
Emily Curtis
Our Lady of Tepeyac
HS Language Arts
Chris Dean
Academy of St. Benedict the African
MS Social Studies
Cameron Dowd
Academy of St. Benedict the African
3rd Grade
Peter Gruber
Holy Trinity
HS Social Studies
Benjamin MacDonald
St. Ann
MS Social Studies
Hometown
Austin, TX
Undergraduate Institution
University of Notre Dame
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Minor: Compassionate Care in Medicine
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be (and why)?
Busy! Being a first year teacher is chaotic and it seems like you can never really know what to expect, but that's part of what makes it fun! I taught 6 different classes, which made planning incredibly difficult since there was no overlap. On top of this, I have been applying to medical school, so it really felt like there was never a break from the work I had to do. Despite how busy this experience has been, though, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've absolutely loved getting to know all of my students, and I'm so lucky to be able to teach them all again next year. My community members have become some of my closest friends and are the people I talk to about my day-to-day at school and my personal life. Having that built-in support system is what made this year manageable, and I'm so grateful to have had such a good group of people by my side.
Hometown
Los Altos, CA
Undergraduate Institution
Villanova University
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: English and Communication
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I strongly believe teaching as a Catholic Educator is a vocation. The mission of the ACE program is one I feel called to and couldn’t be more excited to serve Chicago Catholic Schools!
Hometown
Richmond, VA
Undergraduate Institution
Trinity College
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Business Administration
Hometown
Topsfield, MA
Undergraduate Institution
University of Notre Dame
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: Psychology and Anthropology
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I want to serve young people through education!
Hometown
Cincinnati, OH
Undergraduate Institution
Xavier University
Undergraduate Studies
Major: History
Minor: Economics
Why did you say "Yes" to ACE?
I said yes to ACE because I believe it will help me grow as an educator, and as a man. I believe teaching in a Catholic School provides a great opportunity to pursue my passions of history, coaching, but most importantly connecting and working with students. I understand teaching is an incredible responsibility and I have so much to learn. However, I believe the ACE program will both challenge and support me to make the transition into the field as smooth as possible.
Hometown
Smithfield, RI
Undergraduate Institution
Providence College
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: History and Secondary Education
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I said "yes" to ACE to serve students and their communities and to be a source of positivity and guidance in and out of the classroom. Being a teacher is a tremendous responsibility and ACE has provided an opportunity for me to become a better man, leader and the best teacher I can possibly be for my students!