Educators guide children to develop their gifts and talents with an eye toward the common good in the course of their education. They can also further the cause of social justice by supporting opportunities and services that can help all children succeed.

Alumni of the Theology Department have gone on to serve as teachers and school administrators in religious and public schools. In religious schools, you can teach about theological topics in which you have expertise and work within a setting that reflects the distinctive values of your own education at a Jesuit university. In public schools, you can work to further justice by showing a commitment to equity and opportunity for a diverse student population. In both settings, you can extend a sensibility of cura personalis as you meet the learning needs of each student.

Your theology coursework has given you skills and perspectives that are helpful in education:

• Synthesizing and communicating complex information to different audiences, which will come in handy as you teach material to students with various levels of background knowledge and learning styles.

• Cultivating an understanding of and respect for a range of cultures and perspectives, which will help you relate to families of diverse backgrounds and to guide your students in practicing cultural competency while relating to their classmates.

• Articulating and showing a commitment to values of human flourishing and the common good as you guide students of all backgrounds to develop their potential.

While at Fordham

Fordham offers a Teacher Education Track in conjunction with its Graduate School of Education. Consider applying for this program. If it does not make sense for your course of study but you are still interested in pursuing a career in education, there are several post-graduate programs mentioned below that can provide teaching training and certification.

There are many internships and volunteer opportunities around the New York area that can give you a taste of teaching and help you build skills and make connections that will be useful as you apply for jobs and programs after graduation. Applications for summer and academic year internships are typically due in March or April, so search for these opportunities early! For example, you might consider the following opportunities:

• Shadow a teacher in a local Catholic school
  The Theology Department has connections with Catholic schools in the Bronx whose teachers welcome Fordham students to shadow them and assist in the classroom over the course of a semester. Contact one of the Associate Chairs for Undergraduate Studies for more information about these opportunities.

• Volunteer to work with children

  • NYC Service
    This is an online portal administered by the city that includes volunteer opportunities around the city. Volunteering as a tutor during the academic year can help you discern your interest in teaching.

  • Catholic NYC
    This is a similar site, but with opportunities geared toward Catholic organizations. Opportunities include tutoring, teaching catechism, and mentoring children with special needs.

• Holocaust Educator Paid Internship, Museum of Jewish Heritage
  Work with middle-school and high-school students in public schools to understand the history of the Holocaust throughout the academic year.

• KIPP NYC Summer Internship Program
  KIPP offers summer internship in education administrative roles, including Data & Operations, Finance, People, Teaching & Learning Support, and Technology.

• New York State Education Department Student Internship Program
  Academic-year internships in various administrative roles. These internships are generally unpaid but offer the possibility of academic credit.

• Summer Camp Counselors
  Lots of summer camps in the region (including in the Bronx) need staff. Working as a day camp or residential camp counselor can give you exposure to different age groups and leadership opportunities and will show your interest and experience in working with children. Check Handshake and sites such as Indeed for listings early in the spring.

Following Graduation

Even if you do not enroll in Fordham’s teacher preparation program, you can pick up this training through service programs in public or religious schools after graduation. Many of these programs include AmeriCorps benefits, which usually involve the option of deferring on student loans and modest loan forgiveness.

Catholic-Affiliated Teaching Programs:

• Alliance for Catholic Education at Notre Dame Fellows.
  2 years. Various locations. Teaching at a Catholic school, undergoing teacher training, and engaging in community spiritual life. You receive a free Master of Education from Notre Dame, AmeriCorps benefits, and a modest stipend.

• Alliance for Catholic Education at St. Joseph’s University
  2 years. Philadelphia and Camden. Teaching or serving as an administrator at a Catholic school, undergoing teacher training, and engaging in community spiritual life. You receive a free Master of Education from a university in the Philadelphia area and a modest stipend.

• Aquinas Fellowship Program
  4 years. Bridgeport, CT. 2 years of teaching apprenticeship, study, and community living followed by a 2-year commitment teaching as a full employee of the Diocese of Bridgeport Schools. You receive a free Master of Education from Fairfield University and a modest stipend.

• Seton Teaching Fellows
  1 year. South Bronx, NY. Teaching at a Brilla Schools Network school and catechism classes after skill. Community spiritual life. You receive a modest stipend and AmeriCorps benefits.

Occasionally, Catholic schools in the region hire teachers directly after graduation and train them on site. Often (but not always) they expect that you pursue a Master of Education or master in your teaching field while you work. For local listings, refer to https://archny.applicantpro.com/jobs/ and keep an eye on the Theology Department Newsletter.

Programs for Public School Teaching:

• Teaching Fellows Programs
  Many urban school districts operate their own 2-year residency programs, during which you teach in the district as you earn accreditation or a Master in Education and are eligible for AmeriCorps benefits. Details vary by location. Prominent programs in the region include New York, Boston, DC, and Baltimore. Most major U.S. cities have similar residency programs.

• Teach for America
  2 years. Various locations. As a Teach for America corps member, you teach in a high-poverty public or charter school while receiving training. You receive employee benefits for the district or school at which you work, as well as AmeriCorps benefits. In most regions, you also earn certification or an M.A. as you teach. Note that depending on the region you may need to pay for this program yourself.

Helpful Resources

The following books are popular among first-year teachers. In addition to providing helpful teaching and organization hints, they convey an accurate picture of the demands, realities, and rewards of teaching:

• Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong. The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher. Wong Publications, 2004.

• Rethinking Schools. The New Teacher Book: Finding Purpose, Balance, and Hope During Your First Years in the Classroom. Rethinking Schools, 2010.

• Tom Rademacher. It Won’t Be Easy: An Exceedingly Honest (and Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching. University of Minnesota Press, 2017.