Careers Rooted in Faith: Exploring Opportunities with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE) presents diverse avenues for individuals passionate about contributing to Catholic education. Opportunities range from faculty positions within the ICLE itself to teaching roles in Catholic schools embracing the classical liberal arts tradition. This article explores these career paths, highlighting the mission-driven nature of the work and the qualifications sought by institutions dedicated to this educational philosophy.
Joining the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE)
The ICLE is consistently seeking experienced and dedicated educators to join its team as master teachers. These faculty positions offer a unique opportunity to shape the direction of Catholic liberal education on a broader scale.
ICLE Faculty Positions
If you have significant experience teaching in Catholic liberal arts schools and you wish to be considered for an ICLE Faculty position, please complete an application.
Application Process
The application process involves filling out a form and submitting a résumé and cover letter in PDF format. Candidates should submit their applications in a timely manner. A key requirement for ICLE Faculty positions is the willingness to travel, averaging two trips per month, each lasting two to three days. Applicants must acknowledge their understanding of this requirement.
Teaching Positions in Catholic Schools
Catholic schools across the nation, particularly those embracing the classical liberal arts model, offer various teaching positions. These roles provide a direct impact on students' lives, fostering their intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth within a faith-based environment.
Read also: Broad Stem Cell Research Center
Elementary and Secondary School Openings
Examples of available positions include:
- 4th Grade Teacher: Blessed Sacrament School in Lincoln, NE, sought a 4th-grade teacher drawn to the mission of Catholic education for the 2026-2027 academic year. Certification in the State of Nebraska was required.
- 6th-8th Grade Language Arts Teacher: Blessed Sacrament School in Lincoln, NE, also sought a 6th-8th grade language arts teacher drawn to the mission of Catholic education for the 2026-2027 academic year. Certification in the State of Nebraska was required.
- Permanent Substitute Teacher: Stella Maris Academy at Star of the Sea sought a dedicated and adaptable Permanent Substitute Teacher for their combined 7th/8th-grade classroom. This individual would serve as a consistent daily presence on campus-teaching when assigned and providing instructional or operational support at other times.
The St. Andre Bessette Schola
The St. Andre Bessette Schola is a classical hybrid school in the Catholic tradition, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. They serve homeschooling families with children in Pre-K through 7th grade.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC)
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC) is a Lasallian Vincentian Catholic, co-educational college preparatory secondary school located in the heart of San Francisco, California. SHC provides academically rigorous, vibrant learning grounded in social justice and student-centered pedagogy. The entire community is committed to cultivating each student's unique talents and passions, providing myriad opportunities for students to discern and realize their individual intellectual, artistic, athletic, social, and spiritual potential. SHC is a San Francisco Archdiocesan High School that is co-sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, District of San Francisco New Orleans, and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Province of St. As an inclusive Catholic community of faith, they respect and support their students, faculty, and staff and their sense of belonging in an increasingly diverse world. At SHC, such respect is grounded by their mission and carried out through their Lasallian Vincentian Catholic educational traditions.
Assistant Principal for Academics (APA)
The Assistant Principal for Academics (APA) is primarily responsible for the leadership, direction, and development of the school’s academic program, including the curriculum, instruction, master schedule, and assessment. The APA creates and nurtures a positive learning environment for all students and is responsible for the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of the academic faculty. As a key member of the Administrative Team, the APA articulates the vision, priorities, and evolution of the academic program to both internal and external stakeholders. Through this leadership, the APA fosters a rigorous, student-centered academic environment that challenges students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Leadership and Ministry Roles
Beyond teaching, Catholic educational institutions offer leadership and ministry positions that contribute to the overall mission and identity of the school.
Read also: Jewish Learning Institute
Chief Mission and Identity Officer (CMO)
The chief mission and identity officer (CMO) has special care for the development of the school’s Catholic, Jesuit mission and identity, in coordination with the president and divisional administrators, and reporting to the president. The key dimensions of the position are pastoral care and formation of the SJC community, as well as the administrative leadership to support that ministry. The position is a new one at SJC and continues to evolve as St. John’s College continues to adapt and deepen in its commitments as a Jesuit, Catholic educational institution. It is also a position with parallel in Belize.
University Minister for Liturgy and Spirituality
The University Minister for Liturgy and Spirituality promotes the University’s Catholic, Jesuit, and Mercy mission through coordination and facilitation of the liturgical and spiritual needs of the Detroit Mercy community. The primary responsibilities include outreach and spiritual formation of students, colleagues, and campus partners, and organizing and coordinating University Liturgies, Masses, and communal prayer services.
Director of Social Justice Ministry (DSJM)
The Director of Social Justice Ministry (DSJM) provides visionary, strategic, and mission-driven social justice leadership for all parish ministries.
Professional Development and Formation
Recognizing the importance of ongoing formation, the ICLE and other organizations offer programs to support Catholic educators in their professional and spiritual growth.
Catholic Educator Formation and Credential (CEFC) Program
Oklahoma offers the Catholic Educator Formation and Credential (CEFC) Program to all of its Catholic educators. Both the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma provide CEFC formation for teachers. The focus of the program is on forming teachers to see their students and the subjects they teach through a Catholic lens.
Read also: Applying to Georgia Tech: GPA
Teachers for Christ Program
Teachers for Christ is a fully-funded graduate program where students explore questions such as: What has made Catholic education great throughout the centuries? What is the human person? How should the faith permeate every subject? How do I model my teaching after Christ the Divine Teacher?
Diocesan Leaders Academy
Steve Vaughan, Associate Superintendent of Schools in Lansing (MI) is a member of the 2025-2026 cohort of ICLE's Diocesan Leaders Academy.
University of Dallas's M.A. in Humanities with a Classical Education Concentration
Graduates of ICLE's Catholic Educator Formation and Credential (CEFC) Program are now eligible to receive up to 12 hours of graduate credit toward The University of Dallas's M.A. in Humanities with a Classical Education Concentration. The Classical Education Concentration seeks to form teachers who understand that the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness is at the heart of the human person.
The Essence of Catholic Education
Catholic education aims to offer students more by viewing the world through a sacramental lens, seeing the connection in things, the integration of knowledge, the ultimate meaning, destiny, and purpose of the human person, and how we fit into the big picture. This involves recognizing the truth, goodness, and beauty in all things and in all subjects. Faith is woven through the entire curriculum, not just confined to religion classes.
Integrating Faith into the Curriculum
Even if a church or school chapel doesn’t have stained glass or statues, there are other images you can use for Visio Divina, such as the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross are a practice of accompanying Christ through the fourteen stations on his journey to Calvary. The fourteen stations are found in almost every Catholic church in the world! The practice began as pious pilgrims traced the path of Christ through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa. Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, the fourteen stations were created so every Christian could accompany Christ on his journey to Calvary through sacred art, prayers, and reflections.
tags: #institute #for #catholic #liberal #education #careers
