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They can be pretty strict. Plus, some of what you'll be teaching, you'll know for a fact is false information.
As a practicng Catholic and a former Catholic teacher, don't sweat the details of Catholic dogma. One doesn't have to agree to teclassroom! I doubt that you will be teaching actual Catholicism anyway. Think about teaching Middle Eastern religions in World History or the teaching of Puritanism in American History!
Enjoy the serenity of weekly mass. They DO NOT stuff Catholicism down your throat and the mass is quiet and peaceful. Catholics are generally very low key and private about their beliefs.
ANY school is only as good as it's Principal! Worst principals I've ever had were in Public schools, rich and/or poor districts. Just enjoy the kids and feel free to say silent prayers at Mass times! It's the same God! You might remember, also, how long Roman Catholiicism has been around! Popes arre often interesting , historically.
May you have blessings in your clssroom!
I worked at two Catholic Schools and we had teachers who were Protestant and Jewish. The school always respected them and and would often have a separate religion teacher outside the academics. Depends on the school.
I do (Christian school), and I wouldn't recommend 'faking' it. Mine isn't Catholic, but I know a few families that are in the local CS, and they take that very seriously. Going for better pay...you're going to have requirements that you may not care for. Also, how do you teach from the heart on something you don't believe, or at least feel convicted by? Don't know how much 'playing along' would work for you. But that's my opinion.
Have you thought of ditching the profession entirely?
Retired science teacher here. I worked at a Catholic high school in Arizona. I am Catholic, so the religious routines were not burdensome "stuff." Your students are most respectful. There is morning and noon prayer daily, besides the weekly mass and others held for a specific observance, e.g. Dec 12 Virgin of Guadalupe. Be extra respectful (stand/sit relaxed, quiet, attentive - say don't get "busy with anything else at this times) at prayer and mass times. Likely you will not be assigned a specific task during mass, so you'll sit in a section with other teachers. Students know their policies, but check with other teachers hoe they manage specific issues, e.g. cell phone use, etc. You will be able to teach because the school has high performance expectations for students - millions of dollars in scholarships! You earn well and have all types of benefits. Probation is one year. The human resources policies are similar to EEOC and you can be dismissed accordingly. Congratulations!
ONE MORE TIP regarding the interview question - which will also see in your performance evaluation: what would you do to propagate the faith, or something in that line? My suggestion is that you apply the question according to the subject you teach. Example math and the Catholic music, you can say that you could display in your classroom the "Ave Maria" words and musical scale (math). For my part, I displayed inspirational quotes of two prominent saints alluding to honesty and high scholarly achievement. Think about it, Current Pope Leo is a mathematician and has a PhD.
Why would you want to teach something you don’t believe?
“Playing along” is just disrespecting the Tradition of Catholics.
Yes, it’s excellent students, but it’s all about keeping the kids happy, which is a shift. If the kids are not happy their parents aren’t happy. It’s a business model and even if you’re a strong teacher that really hinges on whether the kids like you because they fill out a survey every year and you could loose your job if you are rated poorly
I am in a religious private school. It is all the same issues as public school.
I would not "hold my breath" about obtaining a position in a religious school if you are not an active member. My experience from applying to a Catholic high school was very positive until the last question: "How would you use Algebra to help propagate the Faith?" [I did not have an answer; the process was over.] At another school, the exchange - via email - ended with, "While you seem otherwise well-qualified to teach the Social Sciences, you do not have 'Jesus in your heart.' Consequently, we wish you well in some other school." A Muslim school was polite during the interview, but nothing came of it. You may have better answers than I did, but please be forewarned.
Good Luck, Jon Cristofer Miller. PS I have K12 single-subject credentials for English/ESL, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. jvm