Cautionary Tale for Catholic School Teachers

I could be lying if I told you that lastly less than a year as a Catholic teacher. It has taken me some time to share my experience as I wanted to be in the clear. With another school year ahead, I want to offer a cautionary tale for anyone who will be embarking on their first year as a Catholic school teacher. For the sake of charity, the names of former colleagues and the institute will remain anonymous.

Three years ago, I took a leap of faith to become a teacher at an all-boys high school. Before that, I was trapped in minimum wage jobs that saw no potential or growth as a professional. When the school had a vacancy, I took it.

I began to think that I would have a future in this new endeavor. I was wrong.

I couldn’t teach when most students are glued to their iPads (which should never be in the classrooms along with cell phones playing sound effects).  One time, I confronted a student who refused to forfeit his cell phone as I wanted to enforce the rules of the school set out by the principal. In the end, I was reprimanded, not the student.

To make matters worse, the students were disruptive, unmotivated, and even had a kindergarten mindset trapped in a teenage body. Thankfully, I had help from co-workers to send students to the office who were out of line. 

I was micromanaged by parents (who don’t know how to hold their sons accountable), harassed by students who want to dig into my personal life while creating a fake social media account and posting pictures and videos of me, and even betrayed by the administration of the school.

By April, I was quietly made a distant memory after a student made up a tall tale about me. He was even caught in class one day taking a video of me during class and was confronted. Even the principal of the school learned about it, but he didn’t expel the student and referred him to criminal action.

I promised myself that I would never teach again. Ever. I wasn't perfect for the job, but I did what I could. Sadly, it is the reality of many Catholic high schools today. 

Catholic education seems to be losing its edge. Many Catholic high schools, particularly those in major cities, are too focused on the quantity, not the quality. They reward bad behavior while punishing anyone who dares to enforce the rules. It really shows that the principal and other members of the administration want to let students, especially those in the minority who were in public schools, slip through the cracks.

My union delegate tried everything they could for me to seek a second chance, but they were fighting an uphill battle with the archdiocese and the possibility of principals discussing me not teaching again, which breaks the rules.

Be sure to document everything. Report it all to your delegate (Many Catholic high school systems across the US should have a union).

If demerits don’t work, issue failing grades in their conduct, incomplete work, and unproductivity.

All I can say is fight for what is right even if the odds are against you. Don’t be afraid to lay down the law. It can prevent them from going to jail later.

My hope for anyone who is returning as a teacher for their second, third, or even twentieth year is that you continue to teach from the heart. Don’t be afraid to challenge the unethical behavior of the administration of the school. Challenge your students to be people of faith, courage, character, and humility.

It’s time for Catholic schools to return to their roots that were planted by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Stop worrying about quotas and focus on admitting students who have much potential.