Area Private School Teacher Shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an administrator and teacher at a private school for a period of time. I have multiple state certifications, 2 graduate degrees, and at the time, approximately 20 years of experience. The majority of teachers employed there had no background in teaching and were not certified. There was a staff of around 30-35 teachers, and I would say only about 10 or 12 were talented teachers quite on their own, but still flying by the seat of their pants. There was no real sense of curriculum understanding, learning theory, or best practices. It was posh daycare with some books. I left for public school. I don't understand why people pay to send their kids to private schools. I think there are some private schools with bone fide standards, certified teachers and staff (largely underpaid,however) and oversight, but people would be very surprised at how many are not, particularly the religious schools. Some well regarded schools that are private are really just a business model.
In the end, this is a whole career that requires an overhaul, public and private. Time to do it. An entire paradigm shift.

I have certifications (state and national), Masters Degree and over 30 years of experience. The certifications are pretty meaningless in my opinion.

Until you engage with educators with none. Yes, teachers do need education, training, and experience.

Maybe you just aren't in the right field. If these goal posts are meaningless, why did you spend all that time obtaining them? It's a lot of work and money and time.

I think you missed PP’s point. They are saying that the certifications are pretty meaningless. They aren’t discounting the training and education they received while completing master’s degrees and their teaching experience. There are those on this board who seem to think that unless a teacher is certified, they aren’t qualified. I’ll take a teachers with a masters and experience any day over a teacher with a state certification and little to no experience. Not to say that the latter won’t become a great teacher but the point is that a state certification is not the great qualifier that some thing it is. Education and experience are the more important factors.

Certifications aren’t just pieces of paper. There's a lot of work involved.

They aren’t just pieces of paper but they also aren’t the only way a person can show they are qualified to teach. Why would a private school teacher with a masters in computer science and a bachelors in education decide that they need to go and certify as a teacher before accepting a position with a school that doesn’t require or hire based on certifications? What’s the point?
Public school educators get certifications because the school system itself has made them necessary and valued. The education behind them is always of value but whether someone has sat for the certification and can check that box isn’t a concrete measure of qualification.
I would rather have someone who has a degree in the field they are teaching, a basis in teaching and a willing, non-jaded attitude than a new teacher with no experience and a certification who has been glued to Bored Teachers all summer long.

We will answer that question after these veterans and their spouses all start teaching in public classroom. This will be very, very eye opening and shocking. Most people have no idea what teaching in a classroom means, and especially those who come from a system of rules and obedience. This will be a S#i+ s#0w. They won't last until the first grading period, if even a week. Oh, and, yes, a teacher needs to understand the complexity of neurological and developmental learning. They need to understand how to teach how to think, how to read, how to question, how to think. Yes, that takes a great deal of preparation and experience. Certifications aren't just handed out.

Certified teacher here. I don't think that certification is meaningless. I also think you're kidding yourself if you think it's a "great deal of preparation and experience" to get certified. It's 20-30 credits of education coursework, some classroom observation, and a semester of student teaching. It's not as much training as you think.

Unfortunately on DCUM it's impossible to have a nuanced conversation, but it's ridiculous to paint private school teachers with a broad brush to say that they are automatically unqualified because they don't have a certification.

The situation in Florida where they are letting any veteran or spouse waltz into a teaching job is a different situation altogether and nobody thinks that's a good idea.

Nah, that's starting out. To continue, it's a graduate degree and depending on type of certification, quite a bit of work.

Listen, I am a certified teacher! I have two master's degrees! I understand the work! The point is that the bar is not as high as you think. I work in private school now and I really hate the way my colleagues are disparaged on this site. They are incredible educators.

Then why are all of you choosing lower pay and benefits? Serious question. Your colleagues aren't being disparaged, they just aren't credentialed. Many people do not know that.

I had to work in a private school when we first moved from out of state because their hiring season is earlier. Then, when I tried to get a job in MCPS I realized it would only be possible after resigning from private. Private school teacher contracts are due in March. Much earlier than public. After taking time off during the pandemic I am finally in MCPS and start new teacher orientation week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids private school used their annual fund in 2019-2020 to raise money to recruit, attract, and retain excellent teachers. They raised about $1.2 million dollars. More schools should follow this path rather than using money to just upgrade facilities.

After experiencing private schools for 2 decades and friends who work in the schools, the facilities arms race in DC coupled with the expansion of the administration headcount and high salaries (HOS) has escalated the tuition costs and taken up a large percentage of donor contributions. Wish it was more focused on recruiting and retaining top teachers instead. After your kids graduate, it’s the individual teachers they remember - not the 3rd facilities project

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our kids private school used their annual fund in 2019-2020 to raise money to recruit, attract, and retain excellent teachers. They raised about $1.2 million dollars. More schools should follow this path rather than using money to just upgrade facilities.

After experiencing private schools for 2 decades and friends who work in the schools, the facilities arms race in DC coupled with the expansion of the administration headcount and high salaries (HOS) has escalated the tuition costs and taken up a large percentage of donor contributions. Wish it was more focused on recruiting and retaining top teachers instead. After your kids graduate, it’s the individual teachers they remember - not the 3rd facilities project

It's definitely well described as an 'arms race'. As a parent, it's nearly jumped the shark when it comes to who has the better gymnasium or maker's space. This has been a good year with staff retention including teachers. I'm happy our school has managed to stay about the fray of shortages and the PR frenzy the unions are trying to cause about the shortages. If they could put more of the donor contributions into staff retention and salary adjustments, I don't think anyone would miss the fancy new athletic equipment (which is just replacing last year's fancy new equipment)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an administrator and teacher at a private school for a period of time. I have multiple state certifications, 2 graduate degrees, and at the time, approximately 20 years of experience. The majority of teachers employed there had no background in teaching and were not certified. There was a staff of around 30-35 teachers, and I would say only about 10 or 12 were talented teachers quite on their own, but still flying by the seat of their pants. There was no real sense of curriculum understanding, learning theory, or best practices. It was posh daycare with some books. I left for public school. I don't understand why people pay to send their kids to private schools. I think there are some private schools with bone fide standards, certified teachers and staff (largely underpaid,however) and oversight, but people would be very surprised at how many are not, particularly the religious schools. Some well regarded schools that are private are really just a business model.
In the end, this is a whole career that requires an overhaul, public and private. Time to do it. An entire paradigm shift.

I have certifications (state and national), Masters Degree and over 30 years of experience. The certifications are pretty meaningless in my opinion.

Until you engage with educators with none. Yes, teachers do need education, training, and experience.

Maybe you just aren't in the right field. If these goal posts are meaningless, why did you spend all that time obtaining them? It's a lot of work and money and time.

I think you missed PP’s point. They are saying that the certifications are pretty meaningless. They aren’t discounting the training and education they received while completing master’s degrees and their teaching experience. There are those on this board who seem to think that unless a teacher is certified, they aren’t qualified. I’ll take a teachers with a masters and experience any day over a teacher with a state certification and little to no experience. Not to say that the latter won’t become a great teacher but the point is that a state certification is not the great qualifier that some thing it is. Education and experience are the more important factors.

Certifications aren’t just pieces of paper. There's a lot of work involved.

They aren’t just pieces of paper but they also aren’t the only way a person can show they are qualified to teach. Why would a private school teacher with a masters in computer science and a bachelors in education decide that they need to go and certify as a teacher before accepting a position with a school that doesn’t require or hire based on certifications? What’s the point?
Public school educators get certifications because the school system itself has made them necessary and valued. The education behind them is always of value but whether someone has sat for the certification and can check that box isn’t a concrete measure of qualification.
I would rather have someone who has a degree in the field they are teaching, a basis in teaching and a willing, non-jaded attitude than a new teacher with no experience and a certification who has been glued to Bored Teachers all summer long.

We will answer that question after these veterans and their spouses all start teaching in public classroom. This will be very, very eye opening and shocking. Most people have no idea what teaching in a classroom means, and especially those who come from a system of rules and obedience. This will be a S#i+ s#0w. They won't last until the first grading period, if even a week. Oh, and, yes, a teacher needs to understand the complexity of neurological and developmental learning. They need to understand how to teach how to think, how to read, how to question, how to think. Yes, that takes a great deal of preparation and experience. Certifications aren't just handed out.

Certified teacher here. I don't think that certification is meaningless. I also think you're kidding yourself if you think it's a "great deal of preparation and experience" to get certified. It's 20-30 credits of education coursework, some classroom observation, and a semester of student teaching. It's not as much training as you think.

Unfortunately on DCUM it's impossible to have a nuanced conversation, but it's ridiculous to paint private school teachers with a broad brush to say that they are automatically unqualified because they don't have a certification.

The situation in Florida where they are letting any veteran or spouse waltz into a teaching job is a different situation altogether and nobody thinks that's a good idea.

Nah, that's starting out. To continue, it's a graduate degree and depending on type of certification, quite a bit of work.

Listen, I am a certified teacher! I have two master's degrees! I understand the work! The point is that the bar is not as high as you think. I work in private school now and I really hate the way my colleagues are disparaged on this site. They are incredible educators.

Then why are all of you choosing lower pay and benefits? Serious question. Your colleagues aren't being disparaged, they just aren't credentialed. Many people do not know that.

Different poster. I’ll answer why I picked a private school even though I have an advanced degree, certification, and 15 years of public school experience:

I am treated WELL at my private school. My administration supports me and I am treated like a professional. Expectations are high, for teachers and for students. I love that. There is a strong sense of community and a genuine desire to keep the school strong (academically, socially / emotionally). It’s an ideal environment.

I wish my former public was like this. I would have stayed. Perhaps it could have been if the district (and my administration) was stronger. People go where they will be appreciated, however, and that’s why I am in a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Significantly increase the salary. Currently not enough money for all the bs they go through.

This. Private schools are going to have a tougher time recruiting teachers due to lack of competitive salaries. These teachers can make way more in public, or if they are totally over/burnt out of teaching, find a new career path. Amazon has openings for numerous positions that pay more than teacher salaries even in public with better benefits.

I’m a teacher, please share what these positions are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS salaries are public. my kid's geometry teacher--5 years experience (no master's degree) makes $58k. my other kid's algebra 2 teacher makes $78K with a masters degree in teaching.
The privates pay at this level or worse. it's really bad.

Seriously? I teach in Prince William County, five years in, no masters, and I make more than this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

I have an APC. I’m aware of the requirements.

Here’s the link to ADW certification requirements:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/adwteacher/professional-development/certification-cohorts/faqs

Here’s the link to AOB certification requirements:
https://www.archbalt.org/employment/additional-information-for-teaching-positions/

You can also use those sites to see how many of the schools in this region belong to these two groups. There are only a few independent Catholic schools, mostly at the high school level. I have a friend who works in one of them. She has to be certified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

I have an APC. I’m aware of the requirements.

Here’s the link to ADW certification requirements:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/adwteacher/professional-development/certification-cohorts/faqs

Here’s the link to AOB certification requirements:
https://www.archbalt.org/employment/additional-information-for-teaching-positions/

You can also use those sites to see how many of the schools in this region belong to these two groups. There are only a few independent Catholic schools, mostly at the high school level. I have a friend who works in one of them. She has to be certified.

Adding:
When you click on the links to see that certification is required for all AOB and ADW schools, you may see that you can work toward certification. That’s true for the county school systems, as well. You can work for a short time on a conditional certificate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

I have an APC. I’m aware of the requirements.

Here’s the link to ADW certification requirements:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/adwteacher/professional-development/certification-cohorts/faqs

Here’s the link to AOB certification requirements:
https://www.archbalt.org/employment/additional-information-for-teaching-positions/

You can also use those sites to see how many of the schools in this region belong to these two groups. There are only a few independent Catholic schools, mostly at the high school level. I have a friend who works in one of them. She has to be certified.

Well, you keep bringing up the Archdiocese schools, which doesn't have much to do with most. . You have to realize there are hundreds of schools that aren't Catholic, and there are Catholic and other parochial schools, Friends, Jewish, Muslim, etc., not affiliated with this. Many Catholic schools in Baltimore, well regarded (?) have no credentialing. There are many private schools beyond the Archdiocese.

Again, MOST PRIVATE SCHOOLS do not require qualifications or credentialing. Your system does not generalize to the entirety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

I have an APC. I’m aware of the requirements.

Here’s the link to ADW certification requirements:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/adwteacher/professional-development/certification-cohorts/faqs

Here’s the link to AOB certification requirements:
https://www.archbalt.org/employment/additional-information-for-teaching-positions/

You can also use those sites to see how many of the schools in this region belong to these two groups. There are only a few independent Catholic schools, mostly at the high school level. I have a friend who works in one of them. She has to be certified.

Well, you keep bringing up the Archdiocese schools, which doesn't have much to do with most. . You have to realize there are hundreds of schools that aren't Catholic, and there are Catholic and other parochial schools, Friends, Jewish, Muslim, etc., not affiliated with this. Many Catholic schools in Baltimore, well regarded (?) have no credentialing. There are many private schools beyond the Archdiocese.

Again, MOST PRIVATE SCHOOLS do not require qualifications or credentialing. Your system does not generalize to the entirety.

I bring them up because of your original comment: “These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools.” Since the AOB and ADW have well over 100 of the “parochial” schools in the region, then it isn’t quite accurate to say “most” schools don’t require certification. I can check Arlington, too, which will show even more in the region do require it.

Of course I’m aware there are other types of schools. If you use the word “parochial,” however, it is often assumed you are talking Catholic schools. Of course it isn’t all-encompassing as other types of parishes have their own schools, but the large balance tend to be Catholic. They require certification.

I don’t appreciate any argument that assumes private school teachers are universally less qualified than their public peers. Since you appeared to be making that argument above, I chose to refute it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Maybe your school does, but there are many Catholic privates in Baltimore Co ., DC, and Montgomery Co that don't. There are also many other private schools, including parochial schools, that are not Catholic schools. Your school is, in fact, the exception. It is true that most private schools do not require any qualification, do not require any professional development. So, no, we do not have to rid DCUM of this fallacy.

Credentialing requirements for an Advanced Professional involves graduate degrees and a lot of coursework. Each additional qualification( i e., Special Ed, Reading, SLP, Administrator, ) requires their own set of coursework and experience. No, it isn't easy or quick.

I have an APC. I’m aware of the requirements.

Here’s the link to ADW certification requirements:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/adwteacher/professional-development/certification-cohorts/faqs

Here’s the link to AOB certification requirements:
https://www.archbalt.org/employment/additional-information-for-teaching-positions/

You can also use those sites to see how many of the schools in this region belong to these two groups. There are only a few independent Catholic schools, mostly at the high school level. I have a friend who works in one of them. She has to be certified.

Well, you keep bringing up the Archdiocese schools, which doesn't have much to do with most. . You have to realize there are hundreds of schools that aren't Catholic, and there are Catholic and other parochial schools, Friends, Jewish, Muslim, etc., not affiliated with this. Many Catholic schools in Baltimore, well regarded (?) have no credentialing. There are many private schools beyond the Archdiocese.

Again, MOST PRIVATE SCHOOLS do not require qualifications or credentialing. Your system does not generalize to the entirety.

I bring them up because of your original comment: “These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools.” Since the AOB and ADW have well over 100 of the “parochial” schools in the region, then it isn’t quite accurate to say “most” schools don’t require certification. I can check Arlington, too, which will show even more in the region do require it.

Of course I’m aware there are other types of schools. If you use the word “parochial,” however, it is often assumed you are talking Catholic schools. Of course it isn’t all-encompassing as other types of parishes have their own schools, but the large balance tend to be Catholic. They require certification.

I don’t appreciate any argument that assumes private school teachers are universally less qualified than their public peers. Since you appeared to be making that argument above, I chose to refute it.

Refute, with your own limited experience? Again:

Most, and I mean most, not some, not a few, not marginalized, not only small, not out of the area, not unattended, but, in fact, MOST, unequivocally, and absolutely, do not hire teachers with credentialing or qualifications. I stand by that, I know this for a fact, have lots of experience in private school matters as an administrator, as well as in public schools. 35 years of experience. All you need to do is look out of your box. I'm glad that you enjoy and feel proud of your school environment. I'm glad there are standards there regarding this matter, but it is a absolute fallacy to suggest most privates have qualified/ credentialed staff. They don't.

Secondarily, you may not deride the professional pathway while all the while maintaining that your school and others require it (?) Maybe you took some back doors, or you haven't finished decades of certification qualifications, but I assure you there is a reason for credentialing, and I say this as a someone who teaches at the graduate level. I have encountered many teachers who lack basic instruction of reading knowledge and get all they think they need to know from packaged programs and phonics books.

So, go Archdiocese schools, though. Happy to hear they are improving, at least in that regard. We can discuss other asiects of Catholic schools on another thread. Another time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People claiming the teachers at privates aren’t certified don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s really outdated info, for this area at least. Even all the ADW catholic schools require certification now.

That is incorrect. Most privates, perhaps not the Big 3, have zero credentialing requirements. Zero. With regards to others, including Big 3 or Big 5, it's discretionary unless it is a policy. It's not a law or regulation.

The private schools I am aware of generally **do not** have credentialed, or even qualified, staff. These are small and large secular and parochial settings all across the DMV and Baltimore Co, which has a large number of private schools. There is a private school organization, AIMS, that encourages mainstream best practices, and that's a plus if a school belongs, but most do not. If I were to teach or send a child to a private school, being affiliated with this organization would be a consideration. The school can gain affiliation with this organization with specified criteria that is worthwhile.

I really wish we could rid DCUM of this fallacy. ADW and AoB (the Catholic schools in the region) both require MSDE certification. A teacher may begin teaching without it, but they must be working toward it in a set amount of time. (Incidentally, this is also true of public schools in the area. I used to work in a public high school and about 1/10 of our staff did not have certification. I was tasked with helping new teachers prepare to take the Praxis.) I now work in a Catholic school. We are 100% MSDE certified. Many of us are actually former public school teachers. As for best practices? I attend far more professional development trainings now than I did as a public school teacher. I am observed far more now than I was as a public school teacher, using the same Danielson framework. Can we please put this "parochial settings... do not have credentialed, or even qualified, staff" fallacy to rest?

(I'll also say that credentialing requirements are too easy to get. They alone are not the mark of a qualified teacher.)

Are you talking about the school being 100% MSDE certified or are you saying everything staff member is certified?