AUG. 13, 2015— Two schools in the Diocese of Peoria are welcoming new teachers from the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE), a nationally respected initiative that sends talented, faith-filled educators to serve in Catholic schools around the country.

At the invitation of the Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria, four participants in the graduate-degree program called ACE Teaching Fellows have established an intentional faith community as their home in the diocese. They will serve daily in the classrooms of St. Mark School and Peoria Notre Dame High School.

“The Alliance for Catholic Education is simply an irreplaceable gift to the Church in America,” Bishop Jenky said. “The Diocese of Peoria gives thanks to God that we will now have an ACE team serving in our local Church.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sharon Weiss echoed the gratitude and excitement of Bishop Jenky, noting that, “The ACE Teaching Fellows in the Diocese of Peoria are a dream come true for our strategic vision. The four ACE teachers who will serve in our schools are top notch and reflect the exceptional quality, best practices, and cutting edge research for which the Alliance for Catholic Education Program is known.  I look forward to a long and lasting relationship with the University of Notre Dame as together we serve the Church in her educational role,” Dr. Weiss said.

“We’re deeply honored to be invited into this partnership with the Peoria Diocese, and we couldn’t be more excited to begin supporting the great work under way to strengthen and revitalize Catholic schools,” said John Schoenig, ACE’s director of teacher formation and education policy.

“Our heartfelt thanks to Bishop Jenky and all of the school leaders who support our ACE teachers,” he said. “In so many ways, they provide an outstanding witness to hope, as they are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that an outstanding Catholic education is accessible to as many children as possible.”

ACE Teaching Fellows was founded in 1993 with the mission to sustain, strengthen, and transform Catholic schools. During 2015-2016, the teachers in the formation program will serve in the Peoria Diocese and in 29 other dioceses and archdioceses.

Contact: Bill Schmitt, Alliance for Catholic Education 574.631.3893 / wschmitt@nd.edu