text: Catholic New World - ND program sends young teachers to the underserved
  ND program sends young teachers to the underserved
  Maria Rodriguez works with her third-grade students during class on May 9 at Maternity BVM School, 1537 N. Lawndale Ave. Rodriguez is part of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program. ACE seeks to develop a corps of highly motivated and committed educators to meet the needs of our country's most underserved elementary and secondary schools. (Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)
  ACE teacher Maria Rodriguez leads a math activity on May 9 at Maternity BVM School. (Karen Callaway/ Catholic New World)
  "When it initially started, the idea was to get some young teachers to strengthen Catholic schools," said Benny Morten, principal of St. Ann School, 2211 W. 18th Pl. Morten participated in both the Service through Teaching program and the leadership program. "Now it affects not just preparing teachers but also principals and other leaders. ACE does consulting, helping schools with their business models, with marketing, advocating on school choice issues, tax credit issues. It really has evolved into a program that has strengthened Catholic schools in so many ways."
  "The little you could do had a big impact," he said. To keep that going, the ACE Advocates meet for social events such as happy hours, do service projects and offer professional development activities and retreats.