Always Feels Like Home e phrase “Once an Irish, Always an Irish” isn’t just a saying — it’s a truth that runs deep through generations of students, alumni, and educators. Some graduates never fully leave, their connection to AQ’s spirit quietly guiding them back to where it all began. For alumni-turned-educators like Kimberly (Coni ) Rouleau ’93 and Taylor (Cook) Herman ’11, returning to Aquinas wasn’t just a career move: it was a homecoming. Both Kimberly and Taylor’s stories beautifully capture that hidden yet powerful truth: Aquinas has a lasting pull. It’s not just a place people pass through, it’s a place that calls them back. A Full Circle Moment with Kimberly (Coniff) Rouleau ’93, English Teacher When Kim rst stepped back into the halls of Aquinas, it felt both familiar and new. An alumna and former AQ teacher, Kim returned this fall to once again share her love of English — and her belief that education extends far beyond textbooks. “Aquinas has always been special to me,” Kim said. “I had so many great teachers who in uenced me to be the person I am today. I wanted to be part of the community again.” For Kim, teaching at AQ means more than grammar and essays — it’s about carrying forward the compassion modeled by her own mentors. “My former teachers, Pat Connolly, Ed Ranalli, Jr. ‘64, Mike Haugh ‘63, and Sandy Stevens, didn’t just teach me how to be a teacher; they taught me how to be a kind person.” Kim’s return represents the lasting impact of Aquinas’ culture, one that nurtures a lifelong sense of belonging. “Even though it’s been a while since I rst taught here, AQ has always been a part of me,” she said. “I like knowing that I’m teaching more than English; I’m teaching students how to be good people. The faith aspect is important to me.” Beyond the classroom, Kim’s call to serve continues through her charity, ROC Made With Love*, which provides handmade items to those in need across the Rochester community — a mission rooted, she says, in the service experiences she rst encountered as an Aquinas student. *For more information, visit their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @rocmadewithlove Cheer Today, Class Tomorrow with Taylor (Cook) Herman ’11, Physical Education Teacher For Taylor, returning to Aquinas as both a cheerleading coach and now a Physical Education teacher feels like the completion of a meaningful circle. “Aquinas has always been home to me,” she said. “My time here as a student shaped who I am, and I knew that one day I wanted to come back and give students the same meaningful experiences I had.” As a coach, Taylor’s leadership led the AQ Cheer team to a Section V title in 2023 — a win that represented much more than a trophy. “It had been over 16 years since Aquinas last earned that title,” she recalled. “Watching our athletes take such pride in representing AQ was incredibly special. It perfectly captured what it means to be Irish.” Her return to Aquinas is rooted in the values that rst inspired her as a student: pride, faith, and family. “The sense of family and tradition at Aquinas is unmatched,” Taylor said. “Everyone here shares a pride and purpose that goes beyond the classroom or athletics.” From coach to full-time teacher, Taylor says she looks forward to deepening those connections. “It feels like coming home every day,” she shared. “The relationships here are genuine, and being able to connect with students and colleagues makes this place incredibly special.” Taylor has led the Aquinas Cheerleading Team to three consecutive Section V Class C Game Day Championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025—not to mention, she was named Section V Class C Coach of the Year for the seventh time! The Return Both Kim and Taylor embody what makes Aquinas truly extraordinary and the way it stays with people long after graduation. Their stories reveal one of Aquinas’ most beautiful hidden truths: that its in uence doesn’t fade when the diplomas are handed out. It calls people back — to teach, to lead, to serve — ensuring that the values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge continue to shape the next generation. “The AQ di erence,” according to Taylor, “is the lifelong sense of pride, faith, and family that stays with you long after you leave these halls. It’s an honor to give back to this place that always feels like home.” faculty spotlights 23
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