George Phillips
1. What was your ACE Site/ school/ grade level/ subject taught?
I taught 10th Grade Religion & Civics at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport, LA from 1998 to 2000 as part of ACE V.
2. In general, how would you describe your ACE experience?
Incredible. I learned a tremendous amount about myself, teaching, and my students. I met some of the finest people in my life at Notre Dame and at my ACE site. There were some challenging moments, but it was wonderful to be a part of the mission of the Catholci education and the Church.
3. What have you been doing since you graduated from ACE?
I spent five years in Washington, DC. For about 6 months I was a substitute teacher in DC Public Schools. It was a tremendous experience as I spent most of my time at Eastern Senior High School, an inner-city school with 1400 African American students.
From 2001 to 2005, I worked for Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey who was then the Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and Vice Chairman of International Relations Committee. He is a tremendous individual, a man of great faith whose political career is inspired by the passage from Matthew 25 - "Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." A devout Catholic, a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe is over his desk.
I was blessed to work on Mr. Smith's foreign affairs portfolio, which gave me the opportunity to work on four bills signed into law - including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2003, historic legistlation designed to combat sex trafficking. I helped found and was the point person for the House Refugee Caucus and I worked the Global AIDS initiative and Debt Relief with Scott Hatch, an ND grad and former high profile Capitol Hill staffer who now works for Bono. I also had the opportunity travel around the world to such places as West Africa, Vietnam, and South Korea, examine human rights conditions and foreign aid programs.
While in Washington, I met my future wife Diana Quintero of Colombia at a Church in 2004 at an event entitled Christ in the City. She was just learning English and my Spanish wasn't great. After a few months of struggling, we finally overcame the language barrier and our relationship took off. We were married in Bogota, Colombia in December 2005 and had a baby boy this December - George Joseph.
In 2005, I returned to education and am currently teaching at the school I graduated from - Seton Catholic Central High School, in Binghamton. I teach AP US History, Psychology, Economics, Freshmen Theology, and a course entitled "Faithful Citizenship." I also teach Intro to American Government at the Community college and help my wife with her graphic design business - D & G Phillips Graphic Design.
4. How have you stayed connected to ACE?
I love getting updates from ACE, stay in touch with a few friends, and think about my time there often.
5. What are the ways in which you continue to serve Catholic education?
After serving in Congress, its great to be back in Catholic education. The faith brought my wife and I together and is the center of our lives. It is great to able to share it with young people on a daily basis.
Beth Ann Heet
1. What was your ACE Site/ school/ grade level/ subject taught?
I was one of the first teachers at ACE Mission (Go Tex-ACE!), and taught middle school language arts and religion at Our Lady of Sorrows School. I also had Pre-K lunch duty and 4th grade PE, quite the happy mix of experiences.
2. In general, how would you describe your ACE experience?
Fabulous!! I learned so much about leadership from my principal, Jeanne Bruton. She was at one time a nun, so she was strict, and gutsy, and very well organized. And she always stood by her teachers. I loved my students, and the opportunity to be creative in the classroom. One time we danced in the rain as a class (optional activity), and everybody at the school thought that was OK. Or maybe they thought I was crazy and didn't object... Now that I'm several years removed from community life, I can see how it helped to shape me into who I am today. I am so grateful for that part of ACE--learning to live with others in relative harmony. And I'm sure my boyfriend is, too!
3. What have you been doing since you graduated from ACE?
I taught Spanish and Theology at Marymount High School in Los Angeles for four years. It's an all-girls Catholic school on Sunset Boulevard, quite a different setting from my ACE placement. The students are wonderful, very socially conscious, and generous in volunteering their time. Since moving back to Notre Dame in 2004, I've wandered the globe searching for ND alumni. Literally! I took a position creating and developing the international alumni network, and was able to travel to 30 countries with that aim. For the last year, I've been the point of contact for all our alumni clubs, in the U.S. and abroad ---274 and counting. (Random fact: ND's is the most extensive alumni network in the world, and has more international clubs than any other institution. Take advantage of this when traveling!).
4. How have you stayed connected to ACE?
Well, Tony DeSapio is my neighbor, so I really can't get around it... :) Actually, I wear the "ACEr" hat at the Alumni Association. I hope that part of my nagging to better involve the ACE Fellowship program in general alumni outreach has resulted in increased awareness of ACE throughout our NDAA staff and the clubs network. I've encouraged students to apply to ACE.
5. What are the ways in which you continue to serve Catholic education?
I think working at Notre Dame, and using my skills to serve this university, is assisting the Catholic educational mission of ND. I have spoken of Notre Dame and the uniqueness of a Catholic education to countless students in the U.S. and all around the world. I've attended a college fair in Paris--just because I was there--and I visited ND feeder schools in Latin America in between Admissions visits. There are so many qualified, capable, brilliant students (and their parents!) who need to hear how Catholic education is worth the investment, even if it appears more expensive. Catholic schools always need resources, so I also try to contribute financially. Even if it's just a little bit.