Former public-school educators savoring the joys, opportunities that Catholic schools bring
It’s not for everyone, but for those who are called to it, teaching in a Catholic school can be the adventure of a lifetime.
Even for people who have spent most or all of their career in public education.
“The eight years that I’ve been teaching in a Catholic setting have been the most rewarding for me,” said Mike Barner, who’s in his 41st year in education and his eighth as a teacher at St. Pius X School in Moberly.
He relishes getting to work with students in a faith-based setting.
Mr. Barner previously taught and coached for 17 years, then served for 16 as an assistant principal, principal, and director of a vocational school.
He enjoyed serving in all those capacities, but he also appreciates the benefits of teaching in a Catholic school.
“Our students are very focused and much more engaged in developing not only the core curriculums but also growing their faith,” he stated.
He attributes that to students having self-driven, self-disciplined and goal-oriented families.
He said it’s very enjoyable to see the children in his care grow not just academically, but also in their relationship with God.
“These factors allow us to push our students past the normal expectations in academic, social and character development,” he stated.
He’s convinced that together, St. Pius X School and its families are developing students who are well prepared for today’s world.
“This is why I became a teacher,” he said.
No place like home
Lucinda Varner is in her third year as principal of Our Lady of the Snows School in Mary’s Home, where she was once a student.
“I feel blessed to be in a position that not only allows me to do what I love but also encourages me to grow spiritually every day,” she said.
She previously spent most of her career in public schools, where opportunities to nurture her belief and understanding of God were limited.
“Since coming to Our Lady of the Snows School, I have experienced significant growth in my Catholic faith,” she said.
She believes it’s a gift to be able to serve in a Catholic environment, “and I consider myself fortunate to grow both professionally and personally in such a meaningful way.”
One of the most powerful aspects of her work day is starting each morning in prayer with the staff and students.
“This time of prayer not only helps center me spiritually, but also connects me with others who share the same commitment to our faith,” she said.
She’s deeply inspired by the devotion and passion she regularly encounters in the people of the parish and community.
“Being surrounded by such supportive and faith-filled people has made a profound impact on me, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of it,” she said.
“Nothing better”
Mike Aulbur thoroughly enjoyed the 28 years he spent in public education, both as a teacher/coach and an administrator.
“I had the opportunity to meet many great people, work with great educators and had many awesome students,” he said.
Now, he’s in his seventh year as principal of St. Pius X School in Moberly.
“I have loved the transition to Catholic education,” he said. “It is refreshing to come to work with God as the main part of the day.
“Starting each morning with an all-school prayer helps set the tone for every day being a positive day,” he added.
The move has also been good for his finances.
“Teacher pay has been an issue for a long time,” he pointed out. “One thing for teachers to consider is to take advantage of being able to draw a full public school retirement pension and also get a salary from a private school.”
This can be a game changer for educators who are eligible to retire, but still enjoy teaching.
“Many people can retire from public school in their early 50s,” he noted, “so they can usually teach another 10 to 15 years at a private school and draw two paychecks.”
Several of Mr. Aulbur’s colleagues at St. Pius X School have followed in his footsteps.
Sheila Nagel taught in a public school setting for 28 years and has been at St. Pius for the past four.
She was “super excited” to be hired at her parish school, where her three children are students.
“I’ve always loved being a teacher, but being at the Catholic school has been like a breath of fresh air,” she stated.
“I absolutely love our kids and our faith and how our school and Church all work together as one,” she said.
Mrs. Nagel teaches every child in the school in technology and in the library.
She said it’s awesome to be able to go to Mass with the students as part of their daily schedule.
“There is nothing better than starting out your day at church,” she said.
She also loves being able to talk openly about God and incorporate her faith into her everyday lessons.
“And it is nice when a student gets a little off task, that we can simply ask them, ‘Are you following our school Motto?’” she said.
Namely: “Are you being Respectful, Responsible, Safe and living your Faith?”
“This usually gets them right back on track,” she said.
Mrs. Nagel loves hearing “Thank you for class” every day as her students head out.
“It is just part of our normal routine,” she said.
Her Catholic school is a tight community, with all the students getting to know each other and becoming a big family.
“We do hold our students to a high standard, and they know it,” said Mrs. Nagel. “Obviously, education is very important, but we also know at the Catholic school, God is the reason we are here, and living our faith through our education is what we expect.”
Right time, right place
Marsha Thornton retired after 32 years of teaching in a public school.
Mr. Aulbur hired her two weeks later to teach second grade.
“I can tell you that working at St. Pius X has been a blessing,” said Mrs. Thornton. “I was going to stay for two years and I am now on Year 6.”
She loves being able to talk about God and all of the stories her students learn from the Bible.
Father Louis Nelen, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, preaches homilies at school Masses that the children understand.
“I find that helpful to maintain classroom discipline, because many times I refer back to the homily given at Mass,” said Mrs. Thornton. “I can say, ‘What did Fr. Lou say about living your faith and respecting others?’”
Mrs. Thornton said she enjoys a level of support from parents that she couldn’t always count on in her past endeavors.
“St. Pius parents are willing to donate items for an activity or whatever the need,” she said. “The stress level is so much better. I could go on and on.”
Roger Williams spent 31 years teaching in Missouri public schools — 26 years at a middle school near his home — before “discovering” St. Pius X School.
He has fond memories of the places he previously taught at, but he was ready for a change.
“After retiring, I jumped back in, subbing for two years,” he said.
His second year, he found himself at St. Pius X several days a week.
“God and I did a lot of talking that year,” Mr. Williams recalled, “and he let me know where I was needing to be.”
Mr. Williams relayed that message to the principal shortly after the end of the school year.
The principal sent him a text message a month later, asking if he still felt called to teach at St. Pius.
“Six years down, I’m happy to still say ‘yes,’” he said.
Mr. Williams has found the classes to be mostly smaller and the discipline issues to be more manageable than what he was used to.
“We have some amazing students who look forward to being at school, and supportive parents who want their children educated in a Catholic school,” he said.
He believes attending Mass three mornings a week helps everyone “get things right with God” each morning.
He feels blessed to work with his fellow educators “in a school where prayer is encouraged and where talking to students about their faith isn’t forbidden.”
“I’ve attended many activities throughout the diocese and the positive environment that is fostered and encouraged is refreshing and welcomed,” he said.
Soul surprises
Mrs. Nagel said she would encourage other teachers — “whether you have had public school experience or not, whether you’re Catholic or not, or even if you’re a retired teacher and realizing you still need something to do” — to consider teaching at a Catholic school.
“Being able to teach and incorporate faith is the best thing we could ever ask for in education,” she said.
Mrs. Varner said the commitment to the Catholic faith in the Our Lady of the Snows community is truly remarkable.
“It is evident in the way the parish and school come together to support one another and grow in faith as a collective,” she said.
It has given her countless opportunities to deepen her personal relationship with God.
“I’ve found myself reflecting more on my spiritual journey, and through these moments, I have grown closer to God in ways I didn’t anticipate,” she said.
