Center for Catholic Education at UD

This semester we are so thankful to have Elena Niese join our staff.  As a Teacher Education student, she understands how important our work is to serve Catholic schools. 

What do you do at the Center for Catholic Education?

I am a Student Worker for the Center supporting faculty and staff with office work and projects. In addition, I get to put my writing skills to work sharing stories and events in the CCE blog, while also promoting the mission of the Center through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. 

Tell a little about yourself and what led you to work at the Center?

Growing up, my faith has always been central to who I am. Although I attended public school my entire life, I was constantly surrounded by the rich tradition, culture, and sense of community that came from the presence of the Catholic faith in my hometown. After having Susan Ferguson, the director of the Center for Catholic Education, as a professor during my first year in the Teacher Education program, I recognized that my vocation as a teacher was also inexplicably intertwined with my identity as a person of faith. Throughout my classes with her, Susan recognized not only my deep love for the Catholic faith, but also my gift for writing, and encouraged me to apply to join the CCE team so that I, too, could grow in my wisdom and insights for Catholic education through the CCE blog and share them with the broader Dayton community. 

Describe your family.

With both of my parents coming from large families, my dad from a family of 11 and my mom a family of 14, I am used to being surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. My immediate family, on the other hand, is quite a bit smaller including myself, my twin sister, my little brother, and, of course, my parents. Having a twin sister has uniquely formed me into who I am today. And, even though we are complete opposites, she is by-far my closest friend; I often say that she is the greatest gift I never asked for. Being at two different colleges these past two years has been a challenging experience for us, but nevertheless, it has allowed the time we spend together to become even more valuable and our bond even stronger. Being away at college has really increased my appreciation for my family, too, who is never afraid to have a spontaneous dance session in the kitchen or play a mean game of euchre when I come home for a break.    

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I love finding the local gems hidden in cities, sharing intentional conversations over a cup of coffee, spending time in prayer especially through journaling, hand lettering and card-making, and meeting new people. On campus, some of my favorite things include being the Vice President of Catholic LIFE, a Resident Assistant in Founders Hall, a member of the 2022 Chaminade Scholars cohort. 

Why do you support Catholic Education?

I believe that as a person of faith, my vocation is inseparable from this essential aspect of who I am. Teachers, whether they realize it or not, teach who they are. And, in turn, this serves as a model for students, allowing for consideration of who they are as whole people. I have noticed such as difference in my educational experience when my teachers have taught more than my brain, but my heart. And, ultimately, this underlies my identity as an educator whose role is to help all students find their vocation, who God has created them to be. I believe the Catholic faith has an essential role in this process. 

Who is your role model?

When I consider my role models, I first consider my deep love and devotion to the Saints and the example of holiness they call me to follow, especially my patrons St. Maria Goretti and St. Joan of Arc. Yet, on this earth, I believe my mom, too, is a saint and is by-far my biggest role model. From a very young age, my mom provided me with an example of what it means to know Jesus personally. And this, along with her avid love for people, culture, writing, and creativity, has formed me significantly into the person that I am today. Others often comment on how much I look like my mom, but I like to think this similarity goes beyond the physical to include her virtuous heart, too.  

Tell us three fun facts about you.

• In addition to my AYA Language Arts Education major, I have a Spanish minor and will be studying abroad in Guatemala this summer.
• I was “shaving creamed” many a time this summer by the kids I served as Totus Tuus missionary for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
• I have an deep love for peanut butter and will absolutely eat it by the spoonful.

Written by Elena Niese.  Edited by Emma Grace Geckle.