Discuss your motivations and interests in applying to be a teacher with ACE Teaching Fellows.
Growing up as the oldest of five children in a Roman Catholic family, I have had
countless values instilled in me. Whether it is through the example of my hard working
parents who put their heart into all daily tasks needed to provide for our family, or my
hilarious siblings who continue to bring joy to my life, my family has given me a
foundation and continues to teach me so much. A tireless work ethic, authenticity, joy,
kindness, empathy, love – the list is never ending. Above all of these values my family
has equipped me with, there is also a mission that was passed on to me. This mission is
the same mission entrusted to all humankind – to use my gifts and talents to serve God.
I have always had a passion for learning, of all subjects, but most of all in the
fields of Science and Religion. Learning, helping others learn, and passing on the
Catholic faith has been my life since graduating from Marian University. May of 2015
began my official emergence into the life of a Catholic educator. The University of Notre
Dame welcomed me into the 22nd cohort of the Alliance for Catholic education
Teaching Fellows Program (ACE), and I was placed in the very first community in San
Jose, California. Like the first year for most educators, teaching that year would rock me
to my core. I would question if I was meant to be a teacher, fall into depression and
anxiety, and end up resigning from the ACE program. Nevertheless, I did not abandon
my mission.
After much prayer and discernment, I continued my work in Catholic education.
While my mental health would not permit me to be a classroom teacher upon returning
from California, I continued working in Catholic schools as an instructional aide and
substitute teacher. During this time, while I did feel I had lost my passion and zeal for
education, I continued to trust that education was where my gifts and talents were best
used. I couldn’t feel it, but I knew God was calling me to be an educator.
I have since worked my way back into being a lead classroom teacher and
currently serve as the middle school science teacher at St. Mark Catholic School in
Indianapolis. After working for two years as their science teacher, I then earned my
license in Mild Intervention through the Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) at the
University of Notre Dame, worked as an interventionist, and returned back to teach
science, which is where I am now. Serving as a middle school science teacher is where
I have discerned my passion for God’s creation, my faith, and being inclusive of all
God’s children, is best utilized and celebrated. My passion and zeal for education have
returned, and I am living up to the mission my family, and our Catholic faith, instilled in
me.
As a Catholic educator, I realize that both conversion to holiness and growing as
a professional educator are lifelong processes. I am seeking to continue both of these
processes in reapplying to the ACE Program. I’m thrilled at the chance to rejoin this
program and see through an important chapter of my own Catholic education. How full
circle that every step I take within Catholic education makes its way into the classroom
immediately following. The three pillars of ACE – teacher formation, community, and
spiritual growth, are pillars that I not only believe in, but want, and need to grow in.
While my journey in Catholic education has challenged me to grow in ways I wouldn’t
have imagined possible, I’ll continue to share my faith and educational experiences with
others who are also committed to educating young people in the faith. Both my
experience in the ACE program and the PIE program have left me on fire for Catholic
education, and I would be blessed to continue my ACE journey. Thank you for your time
and consideration.