Santa Ana

Hometown

Bonita Springs, FL

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: Strategic Management & Global Affairs

Minor: Business and the Common Good

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

I hope to become better at seeing when God places himself in front of me. Through much prayer and resilience, I want to enjoy the quiet moments that much more and also learn to gracefully navigate the curveballs as they come. Most of all, I hope that I will become a better leader and a better apostle. 

Hometown

Marco Island, FL

Undergraduate Institution

Georgetown University

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: Mathematics & Government

Minor: Justice and Peace Studies

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

Laughter. 

At our school's rendition of the Dundee Awards, which we lovingly call the Chompies, I was awarded the "Zero to Sixty Laugh Award" because my laugh always seems to stand out in staff meetings. While the award was funny, it also captured something meaningful about this year: every difficult moment seemed to be redeemed by my ability to find laughter and joy in the work.

There is something beautiful about getting to witness the childlike joy, humor, and wonder of students every day. I always felt a calling to teach, but not until this year did I realize I feel more like myself in front of a class than anywhere else. Teaching has allowed me to embrace who I am while sharing in the laughter and growth of the young people around me.

Outside of school, laughter continued to define my ACE experience. I found myself laughing on the couch with my community while watching reality TV, jumping giddily through Disneyland, and surviving the seemingly never-ending drive-through line at In-N-Out. These moments of joy reminded me that community is built not only through shared challenges but also through shared laughter.

Hometown

Warrenville, IL

Undergraduate Institution

Marquette University

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: History, Political Science, & Secondary Education

Why did you say "yes" to serving as a Catholic school educator through ACE Teaching Fellows?

I said yes because I have been involved with Catholic education all of my life, I recognize the value that it brings, and all that Catholic education has given me. Shaping me into the person I am today. I want to be apart of that for other children. 

Hometown

Franklin, TN

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Majors: Political Science & Italian Studies

Minors: Business Economics & Theology

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

I’m most looking forward growing alongside my students. We have a lot to learn from one another and I want our classroom to be a place filled with encouragement, patience, and motivation amongst us all. 

Hometown

Chicago, IL

Undergraduate Institution

University of Notre Dame

Undergraduate Studies

Major: Mathematics

Minor: Theology

What is the one thing that you love most about your ACE school? Why?

One thing I love most about my ACE school is how deeply connected and tight-knit my school’s community is. There are many families with multiple children across grade levels who are very connected to each other and involved at my school, the students have friends across grade levels, and in times of crisis, the school community helps families in need of support. For example, I have had multiple students who have lost a parent this year. In these times of crises, the school community has rallied around these families to provide support whenever needed whether that was bringing food over to their home, attending the funeral as an entire school community, and supporting the kids in the family emotionally and academically. In these moments, I felt especially blessed to be a part of such a giving and connected school community.