by John Sorce
Special to The Leaven
OVERLAND PARK — “Well-formed Catholic teachers are the heart of our schools.”
That quote from Father Bill Bruning, pastor at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park, best describes the role of a teacher in a Catholic school environment.
“They are able to show that all knowledge and wisdom come from God and are able to weave faith into every subject,” Father Bruning continued. “This helps form the whole student. A good teacher helps nurture the minds, hearts and souls of their students. A teacher can look back every evening and see how they have made a meaningful impact on a student each day.”
But there is a need for teachers, both full-time and substitute, at archdiocesan schools.
“Substituting is great for anyone who is considering full-time teaching,” said Kathleen Mersman, principal of John Paul II School in Overland Park. “It’s a great way to get in there and see if you enjoy it.”
Michael Morrissey has served as a substitute teacher within archdiocesan schools on and off for about four years. His most recent stint was as a long-term substitute at John Paul II this past school year for a teacher who was on maternity leave.
He said the experience showed him it was something he could do, and he has since committed to teach at the school for the upcoming school year.
“I had the opportunity to be there knee-deep and see the positives of the school,” Morrissey said. “They have good leadership and a dedicated staff, and of course there’s the parents and the kids. Being able to experience that for months is what opened my eyes to the possibility.
“I hadn’t thought about a full-time teaching job. But they approached me with the idea and I thought about it. I felt it was something I could do and would be a good opportunity.”
Mersman is excited to have Morrissey on staff for the upcoming school year.
“I’m thrilled to have him back,” Mersman said. “We had several maternity leaves last year, so we needed a lot of long-term subs and he did an amazing job for us.”
Qualifications to be a substitute teacher include having hours toward a college degree, which makes candidates eligible for an Emergency Substitute License from the State of Kansas.
Substitutes then need to complete a background check and also be VIRTUS-trained.
One of the benefits of being a substitute is the flexibility it provides; you can work for just a day or two or something more long-term.
“There’s a variety of ways you can be a substitute,” Mersman said. “You can have the flexibility of working for a day or two, or some people prefer to be in a spot where they are needed in the same place for a number of weeks.
“There’s a need for both in the schools, so any of that would be helpful.”
Father Bruning noted that Jesus was referred to as both “rabbi” and “teacher” in the New Testament.
“Teaching is a noble profession,” he said. “Jesus is referred to as “teacher” more than any other title.
“What an amazing thing it would be to share the same title with Jesus.”
If a teacher wants to pursue a full-time position, they will also need to have at least a bachelor’s degree.
“The qualifications to be a teacher in the Catholic schools is to have a teaching license, which requires a bachelor’s degree,” Mersman said. “But when there are hard-to-fill positions, they can usually use the Emergency Substitute License to qualify and teach while they update whatever credentials or finish school if there’s training that is required.”
Morrissey feels the opportunities are out there and the rewards go both ways.
“There are teaching opportunities that are out there and there is a need,” Morrissey said. “It’s very rewarding. It is often said that the teacher gets a lot more out of it than they give. I believe that is true.”
For those that may be discerning if the classroom is where they are being called to serve, Father Bruning advises praying about it.
“Teaching is not easy,” he said. “But if you are looking for something challenging and life-changing, then I say pray and see if God is calling you to such a noble call.
“Just think of the number of children that you will help form for a good Christian life on earth and an eternal life in heaven.”
People interested in helping in any role at archdiocesan schools can submit an interest form at: archkckcs.org/apply.
