Teaching Classic Languages

January 27, 2005 7:59 AM

What's the best way for an almost-college graduate to find a job teaching Latin and/or Greek? I'll have a BA in Classics from a good school, but limited teaching experience. I'm not particularly looking to get certified because I don't want to do this for more than a few years.
posted by rustcellar to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Try looking at a private school. Not only because many of them do not require a teaching certificate (IIRC), but also because they are probably more likely to offer Latin and/or Greek than a public school.
posted by arco at 8:30 AM on January 27, 2005

I don't know where you plan to live after graduation, but here in NJ I've found it nearly impossible to get a job in a public school without being certified despite having a couple of years of experience and a degree from a top tier school. Of course, I'm just a lowly English teacher. You might have more luck since your specialty is more limited, but on the other hand, fewer schools offer Latin and/or Greek classes than English (obviously). I'd recommend sending resumes to as many schools as you can, focusing on private schools since they're often more open to uncertified teachers. It's a bit early in the season to start this process. If wait until mid-April, most principals will know what positions are opening up for next school year.
posted by katie at 8:30 AM on January 27, 2005

Here's a good resource for private school jobs. There are many more out there -- try googling "private school jobs" to start.
posted by katie at 8:33 AM on January 27, 2005

There are always the parochial or private schools, but they do not pay particularly well, so be aware of that. They do not, however usually require a teaching certificate.
The other option is to hope that there is a school district in your area that is absolutely desperate for a Latin/Greek teacher. I am not sure how likely that this, however. I know that only a few public schools in this area (Western NY) teach Latin, and none teach Greek.
Good luck, and consider being certified. You never know how much you might like it.
posted by oflinkey at 8:40 AM on January 27, 2005

Private schools are the way to go--there are not many Latin teachers out there and so it is possible to get a job.

I was hired to teach Latin in an NYC magnet school--I simply went to the school board and sent resumes and cover letters out to about a zillion of them. There's an organization called Interschool in NYC as well that hooks up qualitified aspiring teachers with private schools.

Unfortunately your question is hard to answer beyond that, since we don't know your geographic area, etc. But: look for organizations similar to Interschool, go to your school board's website, and ask your professors.
posted by josh at 9:16 AM on January 27, 2005

After my undergraduate degree I taught Latin and Greek at an independent boarding school. Be sure to check out the National Association of Independent Schools for helpful information. The website has a career center.
posted by ericb at 9:33 AM on January 27, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for the info, everybody. Very helpful.

Because of my SO's plans—she wants to do museum work—I'm aiming for large cities.
posted by rustcellar at 1:44 PM on January 27, 2005