Job fairs help to strengthen Catholic school employment opportunities
April 16, 2024 at 10:20 a.m.
“This is a wonderful opportunity where Catholic school representatives can meet people who are interested in working in Catholic education,” Margaret Kane said of the April 11 Catholic School Job Fair held in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
PHOTO GALLERY: Catholic School Job Fair in Notre Dame High School
Whether they are new to the teaching field or perhaps they had retired from careers in public schools and are looking to continue their work in a Catholic school setting, the job fairs provide potential educators the chance to learn about job openings in the schools, said Kane, principal of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.
For the second year, the job fairs, hosted by the Diocesan Department of Catholic Schools, are bringing representatives from the Diocese’s 25 elementary schools and five secondary schools together in one location where they can meet with job seekers and discuss positions for coaches, teachers and others that are available for the upcoming school year. Along with the April 11 event, a second job fair is planned for May 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. in St. John Vianney High School.
Moving Forward
Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent of school development and operations, said the decision to host two Catholic School Job Fairs for the second time was based primarily on the success of last year’s experiences.
“It is powerful to walk into a room and see 30 schools represented,” she said.
“We heard from job candidates who really witnessed the strength and vibrancy of the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic school community,” Milecki said, also noting that the candidates appreciated being able to talk with 30 different schools in one afternoon.
Milecki pointed out that last year’s two job fairs resulted in the hiring of 13 new teachers, most of whom were already connected in some way to the Catholic community.
“Often they were parents of Catholic school students or alumni from Catholic schools or members in one of our parishes,” she said. There were also several hires who did not have Catholic school connections or experiences but they were looking to transition to working in a school that felt supportive and safe and that really valued their employees.
“Most of the teachers in our classrooms report high levels of job satisfaction,” she continued. “That is rare in education today.”
Milecki pointed out that there is no greater challenge than recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. “The Department of Catholic schools is committed to supporting our school leaders to do that, and working with them to offer every benefit they can to teachers,” she said.
Milecki said that if an interested job candidate is unable to attend either job fair, they can learn about and apply for every open position in the schools through the diocesan frontline portal. Last year, 15 people were hired through the portal, she said, adding that she encourages people to apply online and even to reach out directly to their school of interest.
“Our school leaders are looking for qualified candidates all the time and are happy to have a few connections in reserve,” she said.
Building on Success
Reflecting on last year’s job fair experience, Kane said she met a number of “wonderful candidates,” one of whom was Anna Alvarado who was hired to teach Spanish in St. John Vianney High School.
“I am so grateful she is with us,” Kane said, noting of Alvarado, a retired public school teacher. “She has been a beacon of light and full of enthusiasm.”
Jeff Johnson, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, said he views the job fairs as a way to open Catholic school leaders up to the possibility to encounter new faces, collect fresh resumes and invite qualified candidates to consider employment in a Catholic school in the Diocese.
“We’re getting some good leads and that’s a really big thing,” Johnson said.
St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, also hired a new art teacher through last year’s job fair, according to Donna White, principal.
Along with meeting potential job candidates, she added the job fairs also provided school representatives time to collaborate and work together.
“Perhaps a teacher might not fit the qualifications for one school but would qualify in another school” and we were able to help connect the candidate with that school, she said.
“The job fairs provide us with good visibility on all fronts,” White said.
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“This is a wonderful opportunity where Catholic school representatives can meet people who are interested in working in Catholic education,” Margaret Kane said of the April 11 Catholic School Job Fair held in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
PHOTO GALLERY: Catholic School Job Fair in Notre Dame High School
Whether they are new to the teaching field or perhaps they had retired from careers in public schools and are looking to continue their work in a Catholic school setting, the job fairs provide potential educators the chance to learn about job openings in the schools, said Kane, principal of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.
For the second year, the job fairs, hosted by the Diocesan Department of Catholic Schools, are bringing representatives from the Diocese’s 25 elementary schools and five secondary schools together in one location where they can meet with job seekers and discuss positions for coaches, teachers and others that are available for the upcoming school year. Along with the April 11 event, a second job fair is planned for May 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. in St. John Vianney High School.
Moving Forward
Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent of school development and operations, said the decision to host two Catholic School Job Fairs for the second time was based primarily on the success of last year’s experiences.
“It is powerful to walk into a room and see 30 schools represented,” she said.
“We heard from job candidates who really witnessed the strength and vibrancy of the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic school community,” Milecki said, also noting that the candidates appreciated being able to talk with 30 different schools in one afternoon.
Milecki pointed out that last year’s two job fairs resulted in the hiring of 13 new teachers, most of whom were already connected in some way to the Catholic community.
“Often they were parents of Catholic school students or alumni from Catholic schools or members in one of our parishes,” she said. There were also several hires who did not have Catholic school connections or experiences but they were looking to transition to working in a school that felt supportive and safe and that really valued their employees.
“Most of the teachers in our classrooms report high levels of job satisfaction,” she continued. “That is rare in education today.”
Milecki pointed out that there is no greater challenge than recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. “The Department of Catholic schools is committed to supporting our school leaders to do that, and working with them to offer every benefit they can to teachers,” she said.
Milecki said that if an interested job candidate is unable to attend either job fair, they can learn about and apply for every open position in the schools through the diocesan frontline portal. Last year, 15 people were hired through the portal, she said, adding that she encourages people to apply online and even to reach out directly to their school of interest.
“Our school leaders are looking for qualified candidates all the time and are happy to have a few connections in reserve,” she said.
Building on Success
Reflecting on last year’s job fair experience, Kane said she met a number of “wonderful candidates,” one of whom was Anna Alvarado who was hired to teach Spanish in St. John Vianney High School.
“I am so grateful she is with us,” Kane said, noting of Alvarado, a retired public school teacher. “She has been a beacon of light and full of enthusiasm.”
Jeff Johnson, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, said he views the job fairs as a way to open Catholic school leaders up to the possibility to encounter new faces, collect fresh resumes and invite qualified candidates to consider employment in a Catholic school in the Diocese.
“We’re getting some good leads and that’s a really big thing,” Johnson said.
St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, also hired a new art teacher through last year’s job fair, according to Donna White, principal.
Along with meeting potential job candidates, she added the job fairs also provided school representatives time to collaborate and work together.
“Perhaps a teacher might not fit the qualifications for one school but would qualify in another school” and we were able to help connect the candidate with that school, she said.
“The job fairs provide us with good visibility on all fronts,” White said.