Certification upgraded for future Catholic teachers
Catholic school teachers must be uniquely trained for lessons unlikely to happen in public schools, says St. Joseph’s College academic dean Shawn Flynn.
In science class, a teacher should be ready to talk about how belief in evolution and belief in God can coexist, said Flynn, an assistant professor at the University of Alberta’s Catholic affiliate college.
“Equipping a high school teacher to lead that discussion for a classroom is far more valuable than not having the discussion and shying away from it when you’re a teacher because you haven’t been well-prepared for that discussion in class,” he said Tuesday.
Seeking future graduates ready to teach in Catholic schools prompted the college to ink an agreement in June with Edmonton Catholic schools that changes the requirements for students seeking a certificate in Catholic education.
The new deal, presented to the school board Tuesday, requires U of A students to complete at least four classes through St. Joseph’s, including a new hands-on course that places future teachers in Edmonton Catholic schools.
The certificate won’t be mandatory to teach in the district, but leaders will consider it a “hiring asset” when evaluating applications, a memorandum of understanding says.
Previously, the certificate program was floundering, Flynn said. Students are busy, and would take the minimum two Catholic education courses required to work for a Catholic school board, he said.
Edmonton Catholic Schools superintendent Joan Carr said Tuesday she’s curious if some teachers already working with the district will return to the college to complete their certificate.
School board chairwoman Laura Thibert said she has no concerns about teachers’ current preparation to teach in Catholic schools — the revised certificate just offers another option.
“Our faith is permeated in every subject that our teachers are involved in, and that is everything from our math, our sciences to our welding program to, obviously, our religion program,” she said.
“To have that knowledge and that ability to teach is something you have to develop.”