Saint Jean Baptiste de la Salle wrote, “To touch the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle you can perform.” Teachers are among the most important role models in a young person’s life. Education is key to a happy and fulfilling life. But unfortunately, things aren’t always made simple for teachers, and it’s even more true when you’re at the beginning of your teaching career.
That’s why here at Catholic Gigs we aspire to connect great Catholic prospects with great Catholic organizations. This article will look at a few tips to help you through the process of finding a teaching job.
1. Share Your Journey with Your Social Network
Social media started out as a channel to post cat memes or your favorite dinner. But now it’s evolved to a means to grow and stay connected to your social network. Posting about your milestones in your career is normal. But it’s not something you need to regulate to platforms like LinkedIn or updating on Facebook when you graduate college.
Keep your family, friends, former high school teachers, and other important connections in your life in the loop. Job hunting can feel like a lonely path. But you’re not alone. Many of those people you look up to and regard as role models in your life have been in similar circumstances.
Here’s a couple ideas of content you can post when it comes to your educational journey:
- A new lesson plan you incorporated
- Quotes from your favorite college professor
- A memory from a time a teacher inspired you
- Ask for advice in crafting your resume
- Share about the schools you applied for and ask for prayers for patience
Sharing a variety of educational and inspiring content will give people a better glimpse into your journey and help them get a better sense of how to help better when it comes to the job search process. You might have a family friend who has a friend in education connected to the school you applied to.
2. Time to Put in the Subs
Another way to help you navigate the job search process is by substitute teaching. This is a great way to gain classroom experience: especially if you are a recent college graduate looking for a full-time teaching job or if you’re making a career change to becoming a teacher.
Substitute teachers get to be familiar with a variety of students across grade-levels. Having such range will enhance your resume and give you opportunities to give examples of how to teach in different situations when asked in the interview.
3. Think of Teaching as a Vocation
Persistence is an important quality to learn and develop when it comes to job searching. Getting rejected or never hearing back from a prospective employer is not a fun feeling. One way to shape a habit of persistence is viewing teaching as not merely a job but a vocation.
Vocations are a calling in life. The ability to share the Good News and teach about the sacramental life in a Catholic Church is not something to take lightly. You probably already agree with this or are nodding your head if you made it this far.
God calls people to various vocations. The first aspect of vocation is in relation to one’s religious journey: priesthood, marriage, or religious life are some examples of this. But in another sense, the Holy Spirit calls individuals to the vocation of being a teacher. Remember this when you are applying to various teaching positions and you aren’t getting the replies as quick as you would like: God’s timing is perfect and sometimes He wants us to wait.
Still apply and put in the work through other ways (see above tips) but don’t get discouraged. One of the most powerful prayers in Christian tradition to help you stay persistent is by Saint Teresa of Avila:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Viewing teaching in a Catholic school as a vocation and not just as a job will help remind you of God’s bigger plan for you. It’s much easier to get discouraged when God isn’t in the picture.
Finding a teaching job can be a difficult task, but there are strategies that can make the process easier. Sharing your journey with your social network can help you connect with people who may know of job openings or who can provide helpful advice. Additionally, getting experience through substitute teaching can be a great way to gain practical experience and make valuable connections. Finally, it’s important to think of teaching as a vocation rather than just a job. This mindset can help you stay motivated and passionate about your work, even when faced with challenges. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding a fulfilling teaching job.