Job fair attracts teachers

Thomas Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent for administrative services in the Albany Diocesan School Office, said the fair went "phenomenally well. We expected 30 to 50 people and got 174."

The "Job Fair for Catholic Schools," held August 1 at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady, sought candidates to fill openings throughout the Diocese.

At the event, interested people were interviewed and handed in their teaching credentials.

"They were outstanding people," Mr. Fitzgerald told The Evangelist. "Most of them are certified, experienced and highly qualified."

After examining the applicants' credentials and references, the Schools Office will reduce the 174 who came to the event to a list of between 90 and 120 potential teachers. The list will be sent to principals in mid-August.

The candidates, Mr. Fitzgerald noted, include "recent college graduates, people who taught in Catholic schools previously and are now returning to the workforce, retired public school teachers who want to work with motivated students and involved parents, and second-career people who are seeking to teach."

Several of the applicants indicated they are especially eager to work in an environment where religion can be talked about and modeled by teachers.

"They have really bought into the Catholic identity of our schools," he added.

In the Diocese, he estimated "there are 15 to 20 openings for teachers now. Once public schools begin their hiring process, we expect another 10 to 15 openings." Those additional jobs open up when teachers leave Catholic schools for higher-paying positions in public schools.

(Anyone interested in applying can visit www.rcdaschools.org.)

(08-09-01) [[In-content Ad]]