Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers delivers immersive teacher preparation experience
Kate Pemberton ‘23, who graduated from Providence College with dual degrees in history and secondary education, is currently completing her second year of study for an M.Ed. in secondary education through the Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT).
Through PACT, Kate has committed to two years of teaching, learning, and intentional Christian community in a program that leads to teacher certification through a faith-centered program. In return, she is engaged in a unique opportunity to combine her educational aspirations and commitment to service while earning a tuition-free master’s degree.
In December 2024, Kate shared a glimpse of her life as a fifth-grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in East Providence, R.I., and as a member of the PACT program.
FRIDAY
My day begins at 7 a.m. as I set up my classroom before the school day starts at 8 a.m. My routine includes making a daily agenda for my class, so students are productive as soon as they walk through the door. I ask students to complete a prompt in their writing journals, so they are writing first thing in the morning.
My coworker, Ruby, (pictured at right) and I head to our favorite local coffee shop to treat ourselves. I’m so lucky to work with one of my best friends!
I teach five subjects: English language arts, religion, math, science, and social studies, including 10 minutes per day watching news so that my students and I are knowledgeable about current events.
In math class, my students participated in a problem-solving activity using their divisibility rules that they learned yesterday.
At 2:30 p.m., I dismiss my students for the day. I stayed after school to grade their English Language Arts projects because today is the last day of our first trimester.
SATURDAY
This Saturday morning, I met up with Bethany to work on our literacy project. The end of the semester (for my master’s degree) is a lot of work, but I am lucky to work with my classmate and best friend. Bethany and I met in the early days of the PACT program and have been friends ever since.
After our morning work project, I walked on the PC track during a beautiful 60-degree day. I am glad to live close to campus so I can enjoy its many amenities.
To wrap up the day, I hung out with my housemates and fellow PACT colleague, John Anthony. It’s great to have friends in PACT that you can spend time with outside of teaching.
I enjoy spending time in my room at our PACT community house — always a positive environment to come home to.
Weekends in the PACT program are filled with community activities such as our annual retreat weekend. In early November, we traveled to Cape Cod, Mass. Blessed with clear skies, we prayed, had fun, and grew closer.
As members of the Providence College community, we also enjoyed a fun night out at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence to root on the men’s basketball team. Go Friars!
Kate pemberton g’23
