Our Staff Reflects on Their Time at ACC
It’s a well-known fact that many of our teachers and staff have dedicated a number of years to Aurora Central. And so we asked some of them, “What makes you stay at Aurora Central?” We received several inspired responses, and thought we’d let the students know why the faculty puts up with us every day.
Mr. Krebs writes [very enthusiastically]: “What makes me stay?
The short answer is that I am enjoying myself. How do you not enjoy coaching football under Coach Curry? How can you not enjoy teaching math or AutoCAD? What is more fun than straightening ties in the lunch line? All of the people I have worked with in administration have been good people and fun to be around. There are a lot of good people on the faculty and in the administration who I am honored to call friends. You often hear about teachers who have burned out and have given up. We have teachers who have been at it for a long, long time. They are not complacent. They never give up. They are relentless in their work. I admire and appreciate that in people. I enjoy the students. Whether back in the teaching and coaching days or more recently in the time in the office, I have always enjoyed our students. While teaching, I liked the way our students worked hard and behaved courteously. I don’t have quite as much contact with the students as I used to have, but the contact I do have is a pleasure. If all you did was watch the news on TV, though, you would be certain that our nation is going right down the drain because our young people just don’t have what it takes anymore. Just being around our school tells me that we are not going down the drain and that the indication at ACC is that our people are going to be just fine. I enjoy the smaller size of our school. After attending Maine West High School with 3600 students, I found that I couldn’t even recognize half the names of the students in my class and most of the teachers in the building. It is just the opposite at ACC. To me, that is a plus. Last, but not least, I enjoy the religious atmosphere of the school. There is something different about our school because we are a parochial school. We are Christians and because of that, we have a certain example to follow, as students or as faculty. We are blessed that in our school, we can honor God and prayer, as He deserves and we would like. Whenever we need to, such as the morning of September 11th, 2001; whenever we want to, such as starting each school day or at all-school Mass; whenever we feel like it, we can pray without fear of reprisal. We owe a lot to the men and women who have given their lives to see that we have that privilege in our country. If they could only see what goes on at our school, I believe that the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan right now would be proud and absolutely certain that their sacrifices have not been in vain. They would be glad to see what we have chosen to do at ACC with the freedom we have been granted as a result of their efforts and the efforts of the people who have gone before them.”
Sr. Mary Catherine: “ACC has become like a second family to me. I can’t imagine working at any other place or in any other job. I love teenagers.”
Mr. Scarbeary: “The kindness and loving attitude of the community. The students.”
Mr. Stallons: “When I first arrived in 1982, I found it comfortable here. As we moved into the 1990s, it was a real struggle for ACC to survive, and I felt like I was part of that fight. When we came to the new school, I wanted to be part of that. Now, I’ve been here so long, there is really nowhere else to go. (I do still like it here!)”
Ms. Zagorace: “It’s a small community—each class is unique, and you grow to love each class and the individuals in it and watch them progress through the years so much so, that it is painful but extremely joyful to see them leave to start their lives—Hopefully, a little bit of “me” will be remembered fondly.”
Ms. Banas: “I love to learn, and as a result, I love to teach. What I especially love about teaching at ACC are its rich diversity of students and its sense of shared history. This is church and America at their best—E pluribus unum—out of many, one—One body of Christ, sent to witness Christ in this grand experiment, this ever-inclusive people called America.”
Mrs. Smith: “I have always felt like the ACC community is like a family. The people involved in this school in any way are truly the best. I love starting each day with Mass and prayer (not many people can do that in their workplace). I thoroughly enjoyed my high school years at ACC. The friends I made during those four years are still my best and closest friends, and I hope all students that pass through this school leave feeling that way. In addition, Father Etheredge is truly the best boss I have ever had. He never gets mad, and he is always saying ‘thank you’ and shows his appreciation for all we do. He always puts faith in action; he walks the walk, which isn’t easy. He is constantly living the faith, and we can all learn from him.”
Mr. Curry: “I have been here at this school since the 1987 school year. I have been witness to many changes and adjustments during that time. The one constant is the ever-changing turnover of students coming to ACC. The students get to know you for four years and then they are gone and a new batch of students arrive. I have to say that I miss most of the kids when they leave this school. Some, I’m glad they are gone. One of the reasons that I continue to work here is that I thoroughly enjoy teaching the students that are in my classes, and I also enjoy my subject matter. ACC is a great school, despite what our critics say. I’m proud to work here and teach here, and I am proud that I sent my four kids to ACC. I truly enjoy coming to work every day. It is never boring for me. Believe me, if I did not like doing what I do, there is no way in the world that I’d do it. I want to change and help shape the attitudes around here. Sometimes people associated with ACC are the school’s worst critics; that includes students, parents, and former benefactors. This school is moving forward! It is not going to wait for the non-committed. I want to play a part in that process. That can’t happen standing around watching. One has to be a participant, an active motivating force in order to accomplish this goal.”
