Teaching English Lit in Catholic High School

Question

I will be a junior at university. I am an English major (with another major in Theological Studies) and would like to teach English in a Catholic High school as a profession. I would prefer to stay in Southern California. What is my best course of action considering graduate school, credentials, and extracirriculars (such as publishing...starter jobs)?

Please no comments about brainwashing. That was a real problem at my high school and I want to do everything I can to abolish those ugly sentiments in the Catholic School system.

Answer 1

I currently teach English at a public high school in California.  I would recommend getting your secondary teaching credential as soon as possible.  Some schools in CA (I don't really know about private schools) will hire you while you are working on your credential, but you are much more marketable if you have your credential.

After you get a teaching credential, get a job teaching before you go to graduate school.  If you get a masters first, and apply to a school when you don't have any experience, they will have to pay you more.  This will make candidates with experience and no masters cheaper, and a better deal for them.  If you can't find a job at a catholic school right out of college, consider teaching English at a public school for a few years to get some experience first.  Experience teaching is the best for your resume if you want to end up teaching.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Try tutoring or substituting to get your foot in the door of the Catholic Schools.

Answer 3

Well, it depends on your state's education system as well as that of the Catholic school in which you want to teach.  I would recommend contacting the education department at your university.  To teach in a secondary school, you will need the English degree.  I teach in Texas, and the Catholic schools here do not require certification, but are starting to require 12 credit hours of education.  I assume it's similar in any state.    Your two contacts should be your diocesan office as well as the education department at your current university.  They should be able to answer specific questions you may have.

Answer 4

Getting a master's degree could prove invaluable later on in life, when perhaps you want to climb the job ladder. I went to an established Catholic school for most of my educational career and many of the teachers were quite young, some coming straight from university. Established schools are sometimes reluctant to higher younger teachers, but I think age is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Living in Southern California, learning Spanish would be a crucial tool during your teaching years (if you aren't fluent already that is). Your starter job should be and probably will be a teaching position at the school of your choice. There is some type of training of several months that you must go through (you probably know more about this than I do), but typically, you're first job should be at the Catholic High School that you want to teach at.

A double major in English and Theological Studies is quite impressive, I wouldn't worry so much. You are a prime candidate for any Catholic High School, especially if you earn a master's degree, which would help you later on if you decide to move up the job ladder or even change professions somewhat. Best of luck.