(Feb. 9-10)
ACE in the City:
ACE has held a presence in Pensacola since 1995 and currently has five teachers serving at two schools: Little Flower Catholic School and Pensacola Catholic High School.
Back at ACE’s South Bend headquarters, Associate Director of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, Greg O’Donnell, served at part of the ACE 15 cohort of Teaching Fellows in Pensacola at St. John the Evangelist School.
Where We’ll Be:
Monday, February 10
9:30 a.m. CST — School visit to St. John the Evangelist School
- Sr. Kierstin Martin to receive the University of Notre Dame Sorin Award for Service to Catholic Schools
- Don Gaetz to receive the University of Notre Dame Champion of Education Award
303 S Navy Blvd — Pensacola, FL 32507
Award Recipients:
The University of Notre Dame Sorin Award for Service to Catholic Schools
Sister Kierstin Martin, A.C.S.J, has served as the principal of Pensacola Catholic High School for over 25 years, inspiring students and teachers alike throughout her tenure. In 1995, the high school was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, and award granted to outstanding public and private schools across the United States that achieve high academic standards and model excellence.
The University of Notre Dame Champion of Education Award
Don Gaetz has served the 4th District as a member of the Florida State Senate since 2007. Previously, he served as the Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools from 2000-2006 as the first non-educator to be elected to the position. In this role, Gaetz oversaw the improvement of Okaloosa's school system from a "C" average to an "A" according to Florida's Department of Education standards based on Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores per students. During his years on the School Board of Okaloosa County Schools (chairman from 1995-1996, member from 1994-2000), he proposed and allowed the creation of a local sales tax increase with the single purpose of funding local school renovations, additions, and the construction of three new schools altogether.