teacher

elementary school teacher

mathematics teacher

director of operations

school teacher

Archdiocese of Chicago

I worked as a teacher for the Archdiocese of Chicago for about 15 years. I truly loved my job as a teacher, and loved working in the Catholic schools. I loved being able to teach students not just about math, Language Arts, science, social studies, and spelling, I was able to teach them about our shared faith and Jesus....which is something not allowed in the public schools.

I LOVED greeting my students daily and teaching them throughout the day! They inspired me to be the best I could be, so I could teach them all that I know. I, in turn, made them strive to be the best they could be!

The principals in the Catholic schools I have taught in ranged from "great" to "terrible" The "great" ones cared not just about the students in their schools, but also the teachers that worked for them. They were supportive and truly cared about their teachers, students, and parents in many difficult situations.

The "terrible" ones did nothing to support their teachers if there were problems with a student and/or parents. One even screamed at concerned parents regarding a particular situation! Teachers were literally left to "fend for themselves" with problem students and/or parents....with no help or support.

I worked very well with my fellow teachers in all of the schools I have taught in.

The hardest part of my job was the pay. After working in the Archdiocese for 15 years, I left making $30,000. First year teachers in in the public schools make MUCH more. We were expected to come in on certain weekends and evenings(with no additional compensation). I always had to work 2-3  jobs, as well as the summer to earn extra money so I could pay my bills.

Being able to teach about my faith was a wonderful thing for me! It is something not allowed to be talked about in the public schools. I loved working with the children, parents, and staff. We all had/have common values and goals.

This was an unusual position that involved not only regular office tasks but also assisting other archdiocesan agencies and institutions in their planning and marketing strategies and programs. I also worked directly with the Cardinal assisting him in implementing his goals for the Archdiocese. Supervising translation efforts (Polish-English, English- Polish) for the Archdiocese. Answering confidential correspondence for the archdiocesan officials. Dealing with difficult phone-calls, that required ethnic sensitivity. Public relations and outreach to ethnic communities.
I served as the liaison between all European Catholic communities present in the Chicago area and the Archdiocesan offices. Due to my unique position in the ethnic communities, I was asked by the Mayor of Chicago to be a member of his Citizenship committee.

It was a great place to begin my career as a teacher, as a lifelong learner and someone who would reach many children on multiple levels. It was am amazing experience. I made new friends, learned from my mistakes, grew in professional life, as well in my personal life. The staff at Queen of the Universe were the best. They were always there for me, especially when my father passed away. I will never forget those wonderful teachers. The hardest part of my job was saying good-bye after 5 years teaching in a Catholic school. I needed to move on financially- couldn't make it on that salary as a single woman. The most enjoyable part of my job were the children that I still remember today after all those years. They helped my become the teacher I am today. They gave me the respect I needed to be able to reach kids not only educational but as the future generation of our world.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There is nothing in the world like working in one of GODS houses nothing like it. Doing what I amazing at doing and doing it 100and10% for the lord. Thee advantage of being able to attend mass every morning if I want is just a total blessing.  Grateful am I. I’m.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Me , just me wanting to make everything perfect as I can like a well oiled machine, if you will. The best I possibly can.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Peaceful humble clean serene something about being around well manner people that separates the people of the world 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
8 hours of steady working within a wonderful environment getting done my every day routine and helping others with their daily needs.

•	Serve as the sole technology coordinator and manage all technology of the school with 50 staff members and 375 students. 
•	Manages installation, troubleshooting, maintenance of the MacOs Server , and technical support for 300 computers and devices using MDM Apple Device Management, Managed School’s website and maintained inventory.
•	IT building support providing Macbook and desktop support using Apple remote to all teachers and staff.
•	Serve as liaison between different type of vendors, contractors, and users throughout the schools.
•	Created server accounts and assisted in managing network resources.
•	Onsite Google Administrator assigned and removed email accounts of recent and new hires.
•	Installed and upgraded educational software and test assessment tools used by the students.
•	Administrated PowerSchool and provided PowerSchool technical support to users at school site.

My typical day at work was assisting other administrative assistants with assignments, answering multiple phone lines, ordering office supplies, setting up training class attendees, collecting payments and updating spreadsheets for catholic schools in all districts. I learned how to transfer Excel files to CD disks. Management was ok, but had no regard to time. Most of my co-workers were a pleasure to work with. The hardest part of my job was the hours. I am a workaholic and therefore dedicated to completing projects. I was constantly given complex projects at the last minute whch management knew could not be completed within the allotted daily working hours. The most enjoyable part of my job was the completion of complex projects and the satisfaction of a job well done.

I have taught self-contained classrooms.
I have also taught core subjects(mathematics, science, social studies,...) to 5th-8th grade classes.
You learn to be over-prepared, and to be prepared for last minute schedule changes.
Administrators and fellow teachers usually work well with each other
and share common goals.
With the exception of the administrator in my final year, they have actively promoted professional development.
The hardest part is adapting your lessons and teaching strategies to different learning abilities and different learning modalities (eg. kinestetic, auditory, visual,...)
The most enjoyable part is working with the kids, and sparking their creativity by using things that interest them.

I was very excited about working for the Archdiocese of Chicago for so many years.
A typical day at work consisted of me arriving at least thirty minutes before my start time. That way, i would have time to view my lesson plans, gather supplemental materials, and think about alternative ways of conveying concepts to my learners.
I learned so much from management from the standpoint of completing tasks on time , having a passion for facilitating learning, and properly assessing my learners.
The hardest part of my job was dealing with non-supportive and uncooperative parents and at some times , difficult administrators..
The most enjoyable part of teaching is seeing growth in my learners daily, weekly, and at the end of the academic year.

-A typical day at work begins at 0630 with  Mass , followed by a brief staff meeting  around 0930 during day activities are days  discussed followed by pastoral activities  such funeral services , home visitations, wakes, etc until around 2000  when all activities pauses for the day.
-I have learned to be flexible and adaptive to new realities
-Regarding management, delegating to  right persons, assisting when need arose and remaining professional  are some of the most important ingredient. 
-Workplace culture based on respect and constructive criticism are key for organization harmony.
-The difficult part of the job has been time; there is always not enough. 
Enjoyable moments : Receiving positive feedbacks. 


Classroom instruction was typical of an elementary school. My additional job with the school was Director of an after school tutoring program. Responsibilities included pairing each student in the school with a volunteer tutor, facilitating program on required days, data input and co-chairing the program's fundraiser. The program was extremely successful and created mentoring bonds that remained in place beyond elementary school. It was a very rewarding experience. The beginning of the school year was a bit hectic in order to get everything up and running. However the extra work was well worth it with the overall success of the program.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Teacher 6 salaries reported	$41,779 per year
Elementary school teacher 18 salaries reported	$50,391 per year
Mathematics teacher 8 salaries reported	$50,770 per year
Director of operations 7 salaries reported	$102,688 per year
School teacher 13 salaries reported	$51,955 per year

Working at Archdiocese of Chicago: Company Overview and Reviews

Archdiocese of Chicago

Archdiocese of Chicago Ratings

Popular jobs at Archdiocese of Chicago

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected