Catholic school year wrap-up: Finding teachers, trusting ‘God’s sense’

From The Superior Catholic Herald...

Diocese of Superior Schools Superintendent Peggy Schoenfuss acknowledges the difficulty Catholic schools have had in filling open teaching positions in recent years.

“By the blessing of the Holy Spirit, many retired teachers came forward, as well as individuals with bachelor’s degrees changing their careers (who) came on as teachers,” she said, adding that most of the diocese’s 14 schools have at least one teacher certified through a second-career resource.

Two schools that have had particular success with these programs in the last academic year were St. Francis de Sales School in Spooner and Nativity of Our Lord in Rhinelander. Both schools used the American Board program, which is online and self-paced, and both have found the certification pathways to be effective and affordable. They also used Title funds for teachers’ development to cover costs.

St. Francis de Sales principal Nick Berens said he feels “fortunate.” Although Catholic schools as private institutions are not required to have licensed teachers, those who receive Choice funds are, and it further legitimizes the professional educators Catholic schools employ.

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...