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Karina Halloran

Hometown: Oxford, MA

Undergratuate Institution: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors: Secondary Education and Math

UCTC Teaching Placement: Cristo Rey Boston High School, Dorchester, MA

Why did you choose to enter into UCTC?听I chose UCTC because of its dedication to form and nurture passionate teachers in an urban setting. I love the idea of living in an intentional, spiritual community where we challenge and help one another, especially as educators.

Emily Machado

Hometown: Fishkill, NY

Undergratuate Institution:听University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Undergraduate Majors: Middle Level Teacher Education听

UCTC Teaching Placement: St. Rose School, Chelsea, MA

Erin Cain

Hometown:听Baltimore, MD

Undergratuate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors: Elementary Education and Applied Psychology

UCTC Teaching Placement: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston, MA

What are you most looking forward to as a member of UCTC?听I am looking forward to the conversations that my peers and I will have, and the community activities that we will participate in together! I am also looking forward to the joys and challenges that having my own classroom will present.听

Patrick McKerr

Hometown: Lansing, Michigan

Undergraduate Institution:听Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Undergraduate Major: Interdisciplinary Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement: Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree, MA

Why did you choose UCTC?听UCTC appealed to me because of the overall mission of the program. The focus on developing catholic educators in an intentional way through community is a unique opportunity for any young teacher.

Channing Hodgkins

Hometown:听Cumberland, Maine

Undergraduate Institution: Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH

Undergratuate Majors: Math and Secondary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy Neponset Campus

What are you most looking forward to as a member of UCTC?听As a member of UCTC I am most looking forward to living in community. The current members seem like a family and I am so excited to be a part of the tight knit community. I am excited to get to know everyone!

Meghan Kelly

Hometown: Candia, New Hampshire

Undergraduate Institution: College of the Holy Cross, Worcestor, MA

Undergratuate Majors: Spanish and Teacher Education Program

UCTC Teaching Placement: Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree

Why did you choose UCTC?听I chose UCTC because of the strong sense of community. As an incoming first year teacher, I knew that I wanted to live in community with other educatiors who would support me and share similar experiences while also being immersed in a Catholic school environment.

Haley Kocisko

Hometown: Cincinatti, Ohio

Undergraduate Instiution: John Caroll University, Cleveland, OH

Undergraduate Majors: Middle Childhood Education (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) / Leadership Development

UCTC Teaching Placement: Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree

Why did you choose UCTC? 听With UCTC, I was drawn to the idea of teaching and living in an urban setting. Also, I value the Jesuit philosophy and ideals, and because Boston College is Jesuit, I can continue to learn about and explore these concepts. Lastly, I love the idea of living in a community of people centered around community and spirituality.

Kierstin Giunco

Hometown: Saco, Maine

Undergraduate Institution: Emmanual College, Boston, MA

Undergraduate Majors: Elementary Education and Liberal Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston

What are you most looking forward to as a member of UCTC?听 am looking forward to simultaneously deepening my relationship with education and God, so that I can become a better person, friend and Catholic educator. In this way, I look forward to learning knowledge while making memories within the strong communities of Boston College, Urban Catholic Teachers Corps and Mission Grammar School.

Kendra Glenn

Hometown: San Jose, California

Undergraduate Institution: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California

Undergraduate Majors: Elementary Education and Spanish

UCTC Teaching Placement: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Boston

What are you most looking forward to as a member of UCTC? I'm really excited about the community aspect of us all living and working together. I think it will be a great support system to grow together, spiritually, personally and professionally. Lastly, I am looking forward to the spiritual growth I will experience in UCTC.

Christine Kelly

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Undergraduate Institution: Xavier University

Undergraduate Major: Early Childhood Education

UCTC Teaching Placement: Trinty Catholic Academy, Brockton

Why did you choose UCTC?听I chose UCTC because I was ready for a challenge! I've never experienced life outside the Midwest before, and I think the pillars of UCTC align very well with my own personal values and goals.

Allyson Guglielmino

Hometown: Newton, NH

Undergraduate Institution: Stonehill College, Easton, MA

Undergraduate Majors: Elementary Education and Religious Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement: St. Rose School, Chelsea

What are you most looking forward to as a member of UCTC?听What I am most looking forward to is meeting my students and teaching in a Catholic environment whose values go far beyond the classroom. Additionally, I am excited to grow both spiritually and academically and challenging myself to meet the needs of each of my students.

Vincenza Bartholomew

Hometown:听Derby, CT

Undergraduate Institution:听St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and Special Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy, Brockton

What aspect of UCTC has offered you the greatest opportunity for growth?听"Having a mentor at my school has helped me to grow as I am always being observed and learning from the feedback that my mentor teacher has given me. Teaching is such a community collaboration, where I am so lucky to have the support of a wonderful mentor teacher to help me grow in the UCTC pillar of teaching as a ministry."

Rebecca Beshoar

Hometown:听Montrose, CO

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Portland, Portland, OR

Undergraduate Majors:听Education and English

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston

What has been your most rewarding teaching experience as a member of UCTC? "The most rewarding part of teaching this year has been building community and relationships in my classroom. I am consistently in awe of the insight, creativity, and goodness revealed through the words, art, and actions of my students. I feel so honored to hear their stories and perspectives, and witness their growth both as a students, and as powerful young individuals."

Ariel Bovell

Hometown:听South Euclid, OH

Undergraduate Institution:听John Carroll University, University Heights, OH

Undergraduate Major:听English

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cristo Rey High School Boston, Dorchester

Why did you choose UCTC? "I have always been passionate about urban education, teaching, working to break down barriers of inequality, and confronting the messages of inferiority that many students of color internalize. I chose UCTC because I wanted to grow as an urban educator and fully understand what it means to be a woman for and with my students"

Maria Costa

Hometown:听Kingston, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Providence College, Providence, RI

Undergraduate Majors:听English and Secondary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy, Brockton

What is it like to live in the UCTC community?听"Living in the UCTC community requires patience, effective communication, compassion, and a willingness to grow. The UCTC community is full of people who are there to walk the journey beside you, so even though there have been plenty of obstacles and challenges along the way, I have always had someone to reach out to, someone to lend a listening ear and understand whatever I am going through or wherever I am coming from. I think my favorite part about the UCTC community, however, is its adaptability. We are all teachers, so just as we all understand the importance of changing things to fit the needs of our students, we also know that community needs to be flexible and fit the needs of each of our members. It takes effort, mindfulness, a willingness to be silly, to grow, to truly listen and learn about other people, to have your opinions challenged and perhaps changed, and to walk the road knowing that you will be a different person at the other side of this, but all of this, in my opinion, is what makes the UCTC community absolutely invaluable."

Cara Egan

Hometown:听Norwalk, CT

Undergraduate Institution:听Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, 听听听听MD

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education, Special Education Minor

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, Lower Mills, Dorchester

What has been 听your most rewarding experience as a UCTC听teacher? "One of my most rewarding teaching experience in UCTC was when my student who got a 1/20 on his first spelling test worked so hard to get a 20/20 on his spelling test in December. I graded the test in front of him because he was so anxious to see his grade, and when he did he was absolutely beaming!"

Natasha Galbraith

Hometown:听Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Undergraduate Institution:听Ateneo de Manila University, Metro Manila, Philippines

Undergraduate Majors:听Psychology, Education Minor

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Roxbury Crossing

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Pamela Gresh

Hometown:听Pacifica, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Undergraduate Majors:听Mathematics and Statistics

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cristo Rey High School Boston, Dorchester

What is it like to live in the UCTC community? "Living in community with so many strangers initially has its challenges, but at the end of the day, I wouldn鈥檛 trade it for anything. Going home at the end of each day to a place where you are loved and cared about and to a community who is experiencing the same daily struggles as you, makes the community feel much more like a family than 16 individuals living under one roof. The amount of support I receive from my community members has gotten me through the most challenging days as a 听teacher and a student."

Marie-Claire Guidoux

Hometown:听Sunnyvale, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Secondary Education and Mathematics

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Rose School, Chelsea

How has UCTC supported you professionally? "UCTC has supported me professionally by providing me with a community of people who offer to visit my classroom and meet with me to offer feedback and suggestions for my teaching. I have found all of the visits and conversations to be so helpful during my first year of teaching."

Kristen Millar

Hometown:听Dillsburg, PA

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

听 听听Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education, Early Education and Social Work Minors

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy, Brockton

What has been your most rewarding teaching experience as a member听of UCTC? "The most rewarding experience of teaching has been seeing my students take ownership over their learning. I continue to be humbled by my students gifts and the knowledge that they demonstrate daily."

Amy Perfetti

Hometown:听Hicksville, NY

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA

Undergraduate Majors:听Mathematics and Secondary Education, Faith-Justice Studies Minor

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston

What aspect of UCTC has offered you the greatest opportunity for growth? "Over the past year, my cohort and community have challenged me to think about the world in a more critical way, think of with more creative ways to teach math, and step out of my comfort zone in the best possible ways. The UCTC community pushes me to grow to be a better teacher, a better person, and my best self."

Mary Katherine Petterson

Hometown:听North Attleboro, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Assumption College, Worcester, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and History

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy,听 Lower Mills, Dorchester, MA

How has UCTC supported you professionally? "UCTC has offered a multitude of resources for professional growth. Between the staff where I work, alumni, and community members, there is always someone to seek advice from or share a conversation with. Leaving my first year, I feel stronger as a teacher, and cannot wait to see what else is to come."

Brittany Burke

Hometown:听Holliston, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and Perspectives on Spanish America

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Peter School, Cambridge, Kindergarten through Fourth Reading Specialist and Introductory Spanish

What aspect of UCTC has offered you the greatest opportunity for growth?听听"Every day I am challenged by the UCTC and Boston College communities to more deeply understand what it means to live in solidarity; From the classes we take together to the more casual conversations over community dinner, I am constantly pushed to ask myself the questions: Who am I in relation to the greater world in which I live? How must I treat each person I interact with and each student in my classroom in order to play a part in enhancing the human condition? How can my ideals about human compassion be made relevant to the society at large and the social structures that quiet the voices of so many? I am eternally grateful for the opportunity UCTC has granted me to examine the world through this lens and am humbled by the multitude of new perspectives I am exposed to daily."

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Elizabeth Duff

Hometown:听Oak Park, IL

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and Perspectives on Spanish America

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Roxbury Crossing, Second Grade

What has been your most rewarding teaching experience so far?听听"I worked closely with an English Language Learning student who had been recently adopted from Ethiopia as she crafted her autobiography in our English Language Arts unit. The writing process had been a very personal journey for her throughout the semester months and her finished work brought tears to my eyes. On the last day of the semester, she waited until all of the other students had said their goodbyes and left the classroom. She came up to me with her deep brown eyes filled with tears and wrapped her arms around me. 'Thank you for everything, Ms. Duff. You are a very good teacher. I will remember you always.' She left me standing alone in our third grade classroom with my own tears streaming down my own face. I remember that moment because it was the first time since my return from studying abroad in El Salvador four months before that I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be. For me, teaching can be a very spiritual experience, and I think I encounter a little bit of God in every young student. Right now, I feel pulled to pursue this vocation among young students with stories to be told and heard."

Meghan Fischer

Hometown:听Milwaukee, WI

Undergraduate Institution:听St. Thomas University, Minneapolis, MN

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and Catholic Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, Neponset, Dorchester, Third Grade

What is it like to live in the UCTC community?听"Living in a community is something like having a magnifying glass to your soul. Working with and loving the people in the house helps me love the larger communities that I am apart of, such as my classroom, my school that I work at, or even the world. The community affirms my gifts while challenging me to improve. I am growing to truly know the other 15-some people here and I am growing to better know myself in a way that I do not think would be possible without the community."

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Noel Kim

Hometown: Sleepy Hollow, NY

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and English

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Peter School, Cambridge, Pre-K through Fourth Science

How has UCTC supported you professionally?听"UCTC has been so great about making sure members of the cohort are fully certified in different areas as teachers in the state of Massachusetts. The countless opportunities that the program offers come with many responsibilities. Taking on these responsibilities while balancing community living and schoolwork have helped me to grow professionally through the management of my time and priorities."

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Bridgette Minnema

Hometown:听 Grand Rapids, MI

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education and Spanish

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School, Roxbury Crossing, Fourth Grade

Why did you choose UCTC?听听"I chose UCTC because it offered exactly what I was looking for in a teaching program. I knew that I wanted to work in a Catholic school, I wanted to continue my education, and I wanted a good support system to help me get through the first years of teaching. UCTC not only allows for me to live within a supportive community of fellow educators, but I also get to work in a Catholic school while simultaneously working towards a master's degree. I couldn't imagine starting off my teaching career in any other way!"

Kathleen Murphy 听

Hometown:听Cleveland, OH

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Undergraduate Major:听Middle Childhood Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston, Ninth Grade 听听听听Math and Social Studies

What do you enjoy most about teaching in a Catholic school?听"I really enjoy teaching in a Catholic School because it allows for me to share my faith with me students. I am able to talk with my students about my faith and their own which I think helps to build better relationships with students."

Lisa Soper

Hometown:听Bakersfield, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education, Reading and Early Childhood Education Minors

UCTC Teaching Placement:听South Boston Catholic, South Boston, Second Grade

Why did you choose UCTC?听"I chose to attend UCTC because of the unparalleled community of support, personal, professional and spiritual growth that this program offers. I also liked that my fellow cohorts members had discerned education to be their vocation, which strengthens our community tenfold. Living and working alongside talented individuals who have a passion for educating children and have a spark to seek growth and change within our Catholic schools is such unique learning experience."

Sam Rosenbaum

Hometown:听Stratford, CT

Undergraduate Institution:听Emmanuel College, Boston, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Secondary Education and English

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston, Ninth through Twelfth English

How has UCTC helped you to grow professionally?听"The most important learning occurs when we encounter differences. In a community and network of educators from different backgrounds and schools, with different pedagogies and passions, there is room for growth in every conversation. Our common purpose brings us together, allows us to utilize each other as resources, and to push each other in our practice. In partnership with the education we receive at the Lynch School, there are endless opportunities to develop our knowledge in order to better serve our students. The academic component of the program puts us in relationship with colleagues professionals full of insight and resources that force us to be critical of what we do, why we do it, and what we want to do moving forward."

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Erica Carmody

Hometown:听Norwell, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Stonehill College, Easton, MA

Undergraduate Major:听French, Education Minor

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy, Brockton, Fourth Grade/French

Why did you choose UCTC?听听"I never visited Boston College where I'd be studying, the Convent where I'd be living, or Trinity Catholic Academy where I'd be teaching. Nonetheless, I applied to UCTC and accepted the wonderful opportunity I was offered. I chose UCTC because I felt the high expectations and support of the staff at the Roche Center for Catholic Education during my application and interview process. I knew that my prior experience teaching was not only valued, but would be challenged to grow and I would be asked to take risks. The risk-taking began with moving from Montana to Massachusetts to see if I was right, and I was!"

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Alexandria Catherall

Hometown:听Bronx, NY

Undergraduate Institution:听College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Undergraduate Major:听English, Education Minor

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston, Middle and 听听听听High School English

Why were you attracted to UCTC?听听"I was attracted to UCTC due to the intentional and relational aspects of the program. I discerned my vocation to teach and desired to begin my first year of teaching with people who offered support and guidance. In UCTC I not only am able to pursue my passion to help others and teach, but I am also able to grow as a teacher along with the support and encouragement of a community. For me teaching is about building relationships and knowing students for who they are, and it's remarkable that this program allows you to grow in relationship with students, as well as with fellow members of the program."

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Gina-Lou Desplantes

Hometown:听Greenville, Orange County, NY

Undergraduate Institution:听The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Undergraduate Major:听Early Childhood and Primary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Sacred Heart School, Roslindale, MA, Sixth-Grade

Why did you choose UCTC?听"I chose UCTC because of the support I knew I would get from the program. I am supported to grow as a teacher through my mentor and instructional coaching. Just as importantly, I have the support of my community pushing me to grow, not only as a teacher, but as a person. First year teaching is difficult, but I chose UCTC because I can't imagine doing it without the support of the program."

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Liam Doherty

Hometown:听Mansfield, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

Undergraduate Major:听Adolescent Education, History

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cathedral High School, Boston, Middle and High School History

What has been your funniest classroom experience so far?听"I went into school one day with a new hair cut. A female student asked me how and where I got my hair cut. I looked at her, slightly confused, and asked her why she wanted to know. She said she was interested in hair cuts and being a hair dresser, so I didn't think anything of it and told her I got a 4 on the sides and just have them kind of cut it in on top. So... the next day I walk into school, and there she is with 6 inches of hair cut off and my exact hair cut. Worst part is, she wears it much better."

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Kaitlyn Hammel

Hometown:听Cranberry Township, PA

Undergraduate Institution:听Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education and Special Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar, Roxbury Crossing, Third Grade

What do you most enjoy about teaching in a Catholic School?听"Teaching in a Catholic school is a joyous experience for me, as I am able to express my faith while fostering the faith development of children!听 My school approaches education in a more loving way, focusing on the social and emotional needs of all students.听 We encourage and build community within each classroom and within the school, as we acknowledge the holiness in each person.听 Spreading the good news of Christ to children is a unique opportunity, and I am so grateful for this experience.听 I feel that teaching in a Catholic school allows me to be my fullest self, thereby making me a better teacher and person."

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Elizabeth Looney

Hometown:听Mansfield, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Providence College, Providence, RI

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education and Special Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy, Brockton, MA, Sixth Grade

What attracted you to UCTC? "I was attracted to UCTC because of the people. UCTC offers opportunities for personal, professional, and academic growth. However, this growth is only possible because of the people I share the experience with. My fellow cohort members provide me with friendship and solidarity on this journey as a first-year teacher. The cohort above me, as well as the members of past cohorts, offer guidance, resources, advice and friendship to all. And our director, professors, and staff assisting UCTC are incredible, providing endless support and opportunities for us to become the best teachers and people we can be. The people in UCTC are what make this program as great as it is and they are what drew me here."

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Rachel Rothans

Hometown:听Vista, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

Undergraduate Major:听Liberal Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar, Roxbury Crossing, Kindergarten

What is it like to live in the UCTC Community?听"Living in the UCTC community is like living with all of your extended family members.听 We are all very different and these differences make living together interesting and exciting.听 Our diverse personalities along with our similar callings as teachers truly creates a place of love and support.听 Our family is made complete only when everyone is home at the convent and fully alive in their vocation and spirituality."

Caitlin Wolford

Hometown:听Coral, PA

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, Johnstown, PA

Undergraduate Major:听Early Childhood Education, Psychology

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Trinity Catholic Academy Lower Campus, Brockton, MA, Pre-Kindergarten

What have you found most rewarding about UCTC? "It has been extremely rewarding to teach as a ministry in a Catholic school, live simply in an intentional community and grow in faith, all while continuing my journey as a life-long learner. After much discernment, I felt called to serve in Boston.听 After spending some time in the teaching work force, I decided to take on a new adventure. Now, I can not have imagined spending my first year as a teacher without a community of teachers to experience it all with! The most rewarding part of UCTC has been the opportunities that it has brought into my life: the opportunities to practice my passions."

Kathryn Bois

Hometown:听Westbrook, ME

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Joseph's College of Maine, Standish, ME

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Mary of the Hills, Middle School, English

What attracted you to UCTC?听"After my experiences abroad in Guatemala and Haiti, I knew that I wanted to work with under-resourced populations, but wanted to remain on the East Coast. When I found the UCTC at Boston College, I knew it was something I could see myself doing. I was attracted to the small, tight-knit community first and foremost. Secondly, I knew that the program of study at Boston College would provide me with the best education for a Master's Degree. Lastly, I was confident that the faith formation and teaching experience would help me grow as an individual. These four reasons combined made UCTC the top choice for me."

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Michaela Bond

Hometown:听Franklin, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听Stonehill College, Easton, MA

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint Columbkille Partnership School, Second Grade

What have you found most rewarding about participating in UCTC?听"The most rewarding part about UCTC is the amount of support offered by the program. Honestly, being a first year teacher is very difficult. I cannot imagine going through this journey of a new teacher without the tremendous amount of support in my school, my community, and at Boston College. From my new friends in the community, to my mentor teacher and my principal, to the UCTC coaches, and the director of the program, I constantly have people to turn to when looking for advice, feedback, or affirmation in what I am doing. It is so crucial to me that I have this wide network of support with which to share my daily joys and struggles, a group of people whose support and friendship I can imagine will last much longer than the duration of this program."

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听Sarah Carpenter

Hometown:听Minnetonka, MN

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Major:听English (Minors Secondary Education and Hispanic 听听听听Studies)

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Joseph Preparatory High School, English 听听听听Literature and Composition

How would you explain your experience living in community?听"Explaining community living, now that is a big endeavor, but I will give my best go at it! Community living is a commitment that you make blind. You don't know anyone, BUT you decide that you are willing to be a support system for them, consider their needs, as well as your own, and be there for them even if you've had a rough day. But the beautiful thing is that on the flip side, while you are giving all this to your community, you are also on the receiving end of a lot of care, concern, and love. I think we have a pretty unique community set up. You have your housemates, but you also have your cohort, and you guys are in it together from day one. I can't imagine doing my first year teaching without it."

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Merijke Coenraad

Hometown:听Juneau, AK

Undergraduate Institution:听Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Undergraduate Majors:听Elementary Education, Spanish, and Hispanic Studies

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint Columbkille Partnership School, Middle school Spanish, Religion, and History

How has UCTC supported your spiritual growth?听"Faith and spirituality have always been very important to me. One of the reasons I was attracted to UCTC is that I would have a chance to develop spiritually as I develop in my teaching. Over my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to share my faith with those around me and be supported spiritually, as well as professionally. Through our weekly spirituality times, I have been able to actively reflect on the life that I am living and the blessings I have been given. I am challenged by those around me to be the best person that I can be and to never let the spiritual side of me get lost in the business of life."

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Eric Gordon

Hometown:听San Francisco, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Majors:听Mathematics and Secondary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cristo Rey Boston, Mathematics

What has been your funniest experience in the classroom thus far?听"Thank God I am able to laugh at myself as a first year teacher, because sometimes you do have to realize that you still look very young听 and your students know it! The first time we were doing SAT prep, I stated to my class, "Believe it or not, I am a great resource as an SAT tutor. I really know the Mathematics section well." Without hesitating, one of my students replied, 'Of course you know the SAT well Mr. Gordon,听 I'm pretty sure I saw you take it yesterday.'"

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Kate Griffith

Hometown:听Angwin, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Undergraduate Major:听Mathematics and Theater Arts

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Joseph Preparatory High School, Mathematics

What attracted you to UCTC?听"I looked into many of the UCCE programs, but what struck me most about UCTC was the intimacy of the program and the strong foundation. I liked that everyone lived in a single community, as opposed to being separated into multiple houses. I also felt like there was a strong support system for not only teaching, but spiritual, professional and personal supports as well. Good thing my impressions were right!"

Christy Lattimer

Hometown:听Darien, CT

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education and Human Development

听 听听UCTC Teaching Placement:听Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy, Neponset, 听听听听Second Grade

What do you most enjoy about teaching in a Catholic school?听"I love the feeling of a community that I think is a unique part being in the school I am in. We come together every morning to pray and sing together, our principal wishes us to have a wonderful day and encourages every student to "Be the light of Christ" - to do their best and to love those around you. It makes me happy every morning to be a part of this community and to gather with my students and the rest of the school. We have a wonderful and devoted staff who love all of the students in our school. My students are also loving and caring, and I think our school fosters this."

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Kelly Lawton

Hometown:听Randolph, NJ

Undergraduate Institution:听Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary and Special Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听South Boston Catholic Academy, Third Grade

What have you found most rewarding about UCTC?听"All of the components of UCTC have been extremely rewarding.听 I have support from my community members, program director, advisors at Boston College, and staff members, and also have access to a number of professional development opportunities.听 As a first year teacher, it is crucial to feel supported so that you can be the best you can possibly be for your students each day.听 In addition, having spirituality every Thursday night really helps to clear my mind from the daily stresses that first year teaching can bring you.听 I am able to grow in my faith with the members of my community and to take time to reflect on my own personal goals for the rest of the year.听 This program has allowed me to be my best self through each of its components and I cannot imagine starting my journey of teaching in any other way."

Margaret Betts

Hometown:听Lynnwood, WA

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Portland, Portland, OR

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. John School, First Grade

What have you found most rewarding about UCTC?听"Before moving to Boston, I did not know a single soul in the Northeast. The most rewarding aspect of UCTC is the connections I have made to people.听 UCTC has connected me to multiple groups of people.听 Not only have I had the opportunity of living with three fantastic cohorts, I have become friends with UCTC alums and their friends.听 I have made connections to the teachers I work with, my students, and their families.听 I have had several fantastic professors at 51茶馆 who will be lifelong resources and supports and have truly inspired and challenged my teaching.听 I have felt at home at St. Cecilia Parish as I look around and recognize the faces at the same mass every week.听 This program has provided me with multiple networks and friendships I would have never made.听 I cannot imagine my life here without UCTC."

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James Elliott

Hometown:听Dayton, OH

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Undergraduate Major:听Secondary Education, Integrated Science with 听听听听Physics focus

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Cristo Rey Boston, Math and Physics

What do you most enjoy about teaching in a Catholic听school?听"Teaching in a Catholic school takes a different perspective on the profession that public schools cannot take.听 Beyond teaching physics content, the conversations and relationships I have with my students are without a doubt the most rewarding part of being in the Catholic school.听 I see my content areas as the vessel in which I share my faith with my students and push them to grow on their own.听 Additionally, being a Catholic school does not allow for mediocrity.听 We push our students to grow not only in academics, but also in their personal lives, learning how to become fully human and build relationships with the rest of humanity."

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Brendan Kennedy

Hometown:听Kingston, MA

Undergraduate Institution:听College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Undergraduate Major: History

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy, Lower Mills, Fourth through Eight Grade History

What is the most rewarding part of your UCTC experience?听"I think the teaching experience I have gained during my time in UCTC has been second to none. I really enjoy the opportunity to be a young, full time teacher that lives with other teachers of the same mindset. I also enjoy the collaboration within the program because I believe that had I not been in UCTC, this would have been missing from my early years as a teacher. No other teaching program could have provided me with the same teaching experience as UCTC because I teach at an excellent and challenging school, while also earning a graduate degree from one of the top graduate programs in the country."

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Kelly Meyer

Hometown:听Newport Beach, CA

Undergraduate Institution:听University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN

Undergraduate Major:听Science Education with Chemistry focus

UCTC Teaching Placement:听St. Rose School, Middle School Math and 听听听听Science

Why did you choose UCTC?听"I chose UCTC because I saw the program as an opportunity for me to grow.听 I felt called to come to Boston because I knew I would be placed where I would be challenged.听 Yes, I wanted to teach, but I knew that I would be learning so much more from my students than they would learn from me.听 I am very grateful to be in a diverse school and learn from a culture different than my own."

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Colleen O'Hara

Hometown:听Wayne, PA

Undergraduate Institution:听Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education and Human Development

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Saint Columbkille Partnership School, Fifth Grade

What is it like to live in Community?听"Living in a community presents new joys and challenges daily. If you are truly being intentional, it takes a lot of give and take. It takes you to look past your own self interests and meet your community members where they are at. Living in a community means being able to challenge yourself to adapt, grow, and love the community around you, even when it is very easy not to. The community is there when you need it, but you are also present when they need you."

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Sydney Stulock

Hometown:听Littleton, CO

Undergraduate Institution:听Creighton University, Omaha, NE

听 听听Undergraduate Major:听Elementary Education

UCTC Teaching Placement:听Sacred Heart School, Fifth Grade Language Arts and History

What is it like to live in Community?听"Community is one of the most essential, powerful, and meaningful parts of my experience in UCTC. Together, you fail and succeed, laugh and cry, share dreams, as well as the often brutal realities of day-to-day teaching. Community holds everything else in place. Logistically, it is wonderful to come home at the end of a long day at school and have a full meal ready and a house full of people who understand (at least partially) your experience. But even more so, living in a true, intentional community, the people become your home away from home, your source of joy, and your inspiration for challenging yourself. I can honestly say I do not know how I would have gotten through my first year of teaching without them."