Colleen Hogan Shean
1. What was your ACE Site/ school/ grade level/ subject taught?
Mobile, Alabama
Our Lady of Lourdes
3rd Grade
All subjects taught: self-contained
2. In general, how would you describe your ACE experience?
My ACE experience was truly amazing, and I cannot believe that it began 13 years ago. In many ways, my time during senior week in the classroom with the Portland staff and my two years in Mobile with an unbelievable community, seem like yesterday. I truly would describe my ACE experience as life-changing and incredibly formative. Learning to “be a teacher” by doing was a challenging and rewarding experience. I loved teaching third grade at Our Lady of Lourdes, and I continue to value and cultivate the many relationships formed during my time there. Our Mobile community was a very tight group. Together we enjoyed our journey - learning, growing, praying, and laughing with each other. My two years in ACE ignited my life’s calling, teaching; whether it is in the classroom with children, in training centers with executives, or in my home with our children. My ACE experience was an invaluable experience that helped form how I would see the world, raise my children, interact with others, and grow in my faith.
3. What have you been doing since you graduated from ACE?
After I graduated from ACE, I moved to Cambridge, MA and taught sixth grade at St Peter School for four years. During my time in Cambridge, I married Jonathan Shean (ND 95) who was an adjunct member of ACE Mobile. After four years at St. Peter School, I decided to make a career change. I joined an educational consulting firm called LDI that specialized in creating and teaching customized courses for businesses. I enjoyed the new challenges of corporate America and adult education. I took my job with me when we moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 2001 for Jonathan to attend business school at U of M. From my home office, I designed and developed customized courses with my team who was spread throughout the country, and then I would travel on occasion to deliver the course to adults. I was still in the classroom, but in a very different way.
In December of 2002, Jonathan and I had our first baby, Grace Elizabeth Shean. We finished our time in Ann Arbor and moved to New York City in August of 2003. I continued to work for LDI, but now as an independent contractor so that I could be home with Grace and travel less frequently. In October of 2004, we welcomed Owen Michael into the world and now we were a family of four living in NYC on the Upper West Side. Since 2005, I have been “on sabbatical” from formal teaching and am the teacher of our children.☺ I continue to write and consult with colleagues, and am currently undertaking a new venture called Majestic Visions. We are expecting our third child this April and celebrating our ninth year of marriage this fall.
4. How have you stayed connected to ACE?
I have stayed connected to ACE mainly through my fellow ACE participants. I am great friends with many ACE alumnae, and in particular with my community members and many other members of ACE I and II. Being a part of the pioneer group created a very special bond among the forty of us. I attend reunions and support ACE however I can and I continue to connect with many students, families, and administrators from Mobile. Also, after graduation, I had the pleasure of serving on the ACE Advisory board for a few years.
5. What are the ways in which you continue to serve Catholic education?
This is a tricky question, because, for me, it is hard to really feel as if I am serving unless I am in the classroom. I look forward to a few years down the line when I can once again be actively involved in a Catholic grade school through teaching.
So, until then, I serve Catholic education in my own small way by being an advocate for Catholic schools, an active member of my parish community, and a decent Catholic role model for my children and others.