Alliance for Catholic Education
Oakland
Life in the City
The Fruitvale neighborhood is full of fun shops and restaurants, including some of the best taquerias in the city. ACErs also enjoy their close proximity to San Francisco and Sacramento (home of another ACE community). Established in 2011, this community responds to the needs of the neighborhood's Latino families, who comprise the fastest growing population of the American Catholic Church.
ACE Oakland
Kate Bauman
Assumption
MS Science
Colin Capece
Cristo Rey De La Salle
HS Social Studies
Maggie Finnessy
St. Joseph Notre Dame
HS Science
Sarina Paolillo
Holy Names
HS Language Arts
Danny Strebar
St. Joseph Notre Dame
HS Language Arts
Hometown
Portland, OR
Undergraduate Institution
Gonzaga University
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Biology
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be (and why)?
Whirlwind. This experience has been both wonderful and chaotic all at the same time. I have already grown as an educator and person in numerous ways, and I am excited to see what the rest of my experience in ACE has in store.
Hometown
Smithtown, NY
Undergraduate Institution
University of Notre Dame
Undergraduate Studies
Major: Political Science
Minors: Business Economics and Journalism, Ethics and Democracy
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
My experience attending a Catholic high school transformed me into the person I am today, and my teachers were some of the important role models in my personal and spiritual development. I hope to be that person for other kids while also making learning fun!
Hometown
South Bend, IN
Undergraduate Institution
Northwestern University
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: English Literature and Biological Sciences
If you had to pick just one word to describe your ACE experience so far, what would it be (and why)?
My ACE experience has been multi-faceted; the summer is challenging but the community, both the ACE team and the other ACErs, is extremely loving and supportive.
Hometown
Toms River, NJ
Undergraduate Institution
Boston College
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: English, Secondary Education and Applied Psychology
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
I sought the opportunity to be part of a mission greater than myself. ACE bridges community, teacher formation and spirituality for the betterment of all involved.
Hometown
Naperville, IL
Undergraduate Institution
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Undergraduate Studies
Majors: Education and Human Sciences
Why did you say "yes" to serving children in Catholic schools through ACE?
There is no greater privilege than being able to serve in Catholic schools. I consider it an honor and great source of pride to teach and represent ACE in the Bay Area. ACE provides such a unique opportunity to integrate yourself into a new school community, and the region certainly becomes a home. I said yes to ACE to give my school and students 100% of my time and effort, and in doing that I learn from them every single day. Our students are the future; they are the difference makers. I can only hope to help inspire or bolster their confidence in content and their aspirations. I firmly believe that they will be agents of change, and the opportunity to be a part of such a mission was impossible to ignore.