Philadelphia: Supporting the Newest UCCE Teachers
On December 19th, members of the Philadelphia Advocates for Catholic Education (PHACE) came together for an Advent prayer service with the ACESJU community.As Flannery O'Connor, an ACE 13 graduate and chair of PHACE affirms, "PHACE has made a commitment to support these first-year teachers in their Alliance for Catholic Education journey." Catholic education supporters in the city are excited to have this new program working, as stated on the program's website, to "revitalize and preserve quality, Catholic education in the region."
ACESJU was born out of efforts by Saint Joseph's University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Notre Dame to replicate the ACE Teaching Fellows program in Philadelphia, and the program has just become the latest addition to the University Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE). Fifteen first-year teachers live together in community while teaching in under-resourced Catholic schools in Philadelphia and earning an M.Ed. from St. Joseph's University.
The Advent gathering was just one instance of the growing relationship between these new teachers and ACE Advocates. PHACE members and ACESJU Fellows gathered at the ACESJU community house and reflected on the meaning of Advent while sharing stories of the first semester of teaching.
O'Connor explains that, in addition, "Mentorships between PHACErs and ACESJU teachers have been established, and we look to support these new teachers and their schools through mass and meals, days of service, and fundraising events throughout the year."
O'Connor adds, "We look forward to our next PHACE event during Catholic Schools Week. We will be setting up and organizing the library at Visitation BVM, a wonderful Catholic school in North Philly. If you are in the Philly area come and join in the fun!"
(Interested in becoming a member of the Philadelphia Advocates for Catholic Schools? Join online today, and receive regional updates and event information.)
The Advent gathering was just one instance of the growing relationship between these new teachers and ACE Advocates. PHACE members and ACESJU Fellows gathered at the ACESJU community house and reflected on the meaning of Advent while sharing stories of the first semester of teaching.
O'Connor explains that, in addition, "Mentorships between PHACErs and ACESJU teachers have been established, and we look to support these new teachers and their schools through mass and meals, days of service, and fundraising events throughout the year."
O'Connor adds, "We look forward to our next PHACE event during Catholic Schools Week. We will be setting up and organizing the library at Visitation BVM, a wonderful Catholic school in North Philly. If you are in the Philly area come and join in the fun!"
(Interested in becoming a member of the Philadelphia Advocates for Catholic Schools? Join online today, and receive regional updates and event information.)