Hi everyone. After subbing in a public school system for the past year, I'm considering a move to a Christian school setting. I know the pay will be less than a public school, but I've heard other teachers talk about how much they enjoy the experience of teaching in that environment, so I'm intrigued. Does anyone here have any experiences they can share about Christian schools?

I teach at a Christian school and have done so for the past 4 years. The pay is noticeably less so if that’s a factor then bear that in mind. I personally love the Christian environment. I love being able to talk to my students about spiritual things, and I love having students that generally really respect their teachers. All this can vary widely from school to school so I think you should consider what kind of school you’re looking for and talk to people that work at that specific one. I actually grew up attending 2 very different Christian schools than the one I teach at, so I have perspective on 3 different ones personally. I greatly prefer a school that’s tied (started and maintained by) a specific church vs one that’s independent and governed by a board. There’s more uniformity in a specific church based school and those seem to run much better with less confusion or conflict of opinion. But having said that both systems work and can work well. I’ve seen good and bad examples of both. I think there’s a lot to be said for Christian schools. I’ve worked in public schools and I personally do think I like a Christian school atmosphere better. But there’s always pros and cons to everything.

To each their own, I guess. At this point in my life, I won’t even enter a Christian school- let alone teach in one- but you do you.

I’ve worked many years in a Catholic Diocese in multiple states. It’s been my experience that the school always backs the parents, putting you in the wrong. I had a situation where my old steam heater burst off the wall, leaving it a sauna for possibly 2 weeks. They did not connect the pipes from the last steamer to the 3rd steamer (4th was the one that blew), allowing water to continue flowing day and night creating molds that were literally killing us! I developed asthma (which is still just as bad!), memory loss (I had to stay on the phone with my husband to make sure I made it to where I was supposed to be!
I had to get an environmental PhD doctor to get the health department to come in and take action! They called me in for 3 hour meetings where they would walk out in the middle of and not let me know the meeting was over and left me sitting in the office waiting and waiting and waiting! I suffered the worst asthma attack after about 2 months when they forced me to go back into my classroom to clean it out (they FINALLY moved me out approximately that same day after the health department came in and closed my room completely down!). My husband told me prior to then to stay out of that room at all costs! The devil in disguise vice principal MADE me go back into my room after she made several threats, and clean out my room, when my husband told me he’d do it already!!! She sat there watching me pack, accusing me of stealing my Christmas present from one of my best friends (a balance scale) plus several books I’d been given from retiring coworkers! This occurred on a Friday and I started that afternoon with my asthma kicking in/bronchitis, and by that Sunday I had the ambulance called on me as my body started dying! I remember coming to in the hospital room and someone asked me to move my toes/feet. I could not to save my life— they were dead! I started crying heavily and the doctor came in (not understanding just how poisonous molds are!) telling me they IV’d me with steroids and antibiotics, said I could not return to work (the last thing on my mind!) until I saw the respiratory specialist. I went and I was off work for a week +, but knew I had to go back to support my students/parents, after the y sent home a LIE stating the school was going to begin summer restoration projects so they were moving your of the classroom Immediately After the health department shut my room down and telling both the principal and vice principal to send home a letter stating their child had been exposed to toxic molds an lead paint for a long period of time! My husband was a part of the health team that came in (working in health and safety, knowing OSHA Laws like the back of his hand!). When the principal called me in for another raking me over the coals, she started out saying she was going to tape our meeting, to which I said “That would be great!” (She never started the recording!). She then proceeded to threaten me with telling me if I dare seek an attorney she would make sure the diocese raked my husband over the coals to make him lose his job, and making it impossible for my children to ever find a job!
Prior to that happening, I had another asthma attack where I couldn’t breathe. The devil in disguise threatened me that I could not go to the hospital until I had a sub! I don’t remember leaving but I know I didn’t have a sub! I don’t remember driving to the hospital so I know my guardian angels were driving! They treated me and after several hours I was allowed to finally go home! Still want to work for a private school????? You have NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER! No union, no advocate, no nothing! I left teaching for a few years, about the same time the school was closed due to toxic mold!

I’m not sure that the grass is greener there. Get that resume’ out and go on some interviews. The pay is brutal in religious schools. Don’t panic. It’s only April 3rd but based on your tone get out of your current school.

You should maybe visit a few Christian schools before deciding. Each one has its own vibe. Some are super traditional, some more progressive. Ask about things like curriculum freedom, parent expectations, and teacher support.

You are a sub so if you don’t like it, you can easily leave

I like the idea of working at a Christian school Matthew 5:15. Regardless the decision you decide to make, it’ll come with some pros and cons. You need to put that in prayer and take time to write things down. Don’t simply go with your emotions.
As a Christian and someone who came from Parochial School (all males), I thought a lot about the great education that I received, the values that school had instilled in me. I’m grateful for that.
The fact that we are called Ambassadors and we know how much Christ is after lost souls Luke 15:11-32 I’ll encourage you to look at your position as a ministry for Jesus. Implement Galatians 5:22-23 (The fruit of Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control) and your prayer life becoming your stamp) to bring the lost souls to Christ. Lift up your eyes, look at the field…John 4:35. May the God of Heaven reveal to who you were created to be before the foundation of the earth and who you are in Christ now. May He give you wisdom, understanding, discernment and discretion to make the right decision at the right time. Shalom!