Featured Story

Katie Schenkel, in her second year of teaching as an ACE Teaching Fellow at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in New Orleans, had her seventh grade class bring in objects, news articles, or stories about science happening in their lives. Katie had no idea how important this activity would be for one of her students, who had never previously displayed much interest in science class. This student brought in a picture of herself sitting next to her pet tortoise.

Katie (Burke) Biddle joined ACE for some of the same reasons that everyone does: she wanted to volunteer, and she wanted to teach. While her faith and working in a Catholic school was important, Katie felt especially passionate about elementary education. After she was placed in the second grade at Holy Redeemer in Washington DC, however, preparing second-graders for their First Communion changed her life’s path.

“Running has taken me on adventures great and small, at home and around the world. It has provided me with hope and perseverance on days when I had none—and even, once every great while, warmed me with that fleeting ray of sunshine known as glory.” —Martin Dugard

Photo courtesy of Creighton University and the American Indian Catholic Schools Network

The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) has embarked upon a new partnership with the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN).

For Stephanie Becker, no step on her journey as a Catholic educator has been alone. As she has worked to become the Academic Dean for Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School, a Catholic school that is a part of the Partnership Schools Network in New York City, she has found that each stop on her way has been supported by those who inspired Steph to a fuller and more joyful participation in the mission of Catholic education.