LDS Women with Children now eligible to teach seminary full time

[pam]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865615543/LDS-women-with-children-now-eligible-for-full-time-seminary-institute-jobs.html

 

I think this is great news.  So many women would make excellent seminary and institute teachers but have been unable to due to past policy.

 

SALT LAKE CITY — LDS mothers with children at home are now eligible for full-time employment as teachers in the church's seminary and institute programs.

The policy adjustment was presented to staff on Friday, said Chad Webb, the administrator of LDS Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. It quickly generated buzz and excitement among women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I'm excited about this too. They are also now allowing people who have been divorced to teach.  There are many possible reasons for divorce, and we could be missing out on some great teachers just because they were divorced.  One of my previous bishops was divorced and remarried (it was a second marriage for his wife too).  

[Silhouette]

I heard about this on another LDS forum. I have always thought that Seminary and Institute teaching was a calling, and didn't get paid.

[Just_A_Guy]

I grew up in San Joaquin Valley, Silhouette, and that's how it was there; but where they do released-time seminary, a seminary teacher is working the same sort of schedule (and managing the same sort of teaching load) as your average high school teacher.  So, they do get paid.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Just_A_Guy

[Palerider]

Good stuff !!

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I heard about this on another LDS forum. I have always thought that Seminary and Institute teaching was a calling, and didn't get paid.

 

I can see why you are confused.  But like Justaguy said, for some it is full-time.

 

I grew up in Arizona and we had a Seminary Building across the street from the school.  We could take Seminary almost any period of the day.  It was a full-time job for our teacher and he was paid.

 

My kids go to early morning Seminary (bless them! I can't imagine) their teachers do it as a calling, they don't get paid.

 

HTH

[Silhouette]

I grew up in San Joaquin Valley, Silhouette, and that's how it was there; but where they do released-time seminary, a seminary teacher is working the same sort of schedule (and managing the same sort of teaching load) as your average high school teacher. So, they do get paid.

That is quite a coincidence, JAG. I live in the San Joaquin Valley now. This explanation makes sense if people are teaching Seminary full time, but what does released-time mean? A sister from my ward teaches early morning Seminary, and as far as I know, does not get paid.

[Silhouette]

I can see why you are confused. But like Justaguy said, for some it is full-time.

I grew up in Arizona and we had a Seminary Building across the street from the school. We could take Seminary almost any period of the day. It was a full-time job for our teacher and he was paid.

My kids go to early morning Seminary (bless them! I can't imagine) their teachers do it as a calling, they don't get paid.

HTH

Yes, the lady in our ward teaches early morning Seminary, too. I don't know how she or the kids manage it! As far as I know, she doesn't get paid.

[pam]

I sent a message to a friend of mine who teaches early morning seminary about pay.  My mom taught it for a couple of years and I seem to remember her getting some kind of a subsidy for teaching.  

[notquiteperfect]

Silhouette - "Released Time" is when it's part of the school day.  Since it's a religion course, the kids are 'released' from school for a 'time' in order to participate. 

 

As far as a small stipend for those that teach the 'early morning' version, my friend was given something like $50 to cover copies, visual aids, donuts, whatever.  Let's just say that hardly covered what was needed.

Edited November 19, 2014 by notquiteperfect

[pam]

Silhouette - "Released Time" is when it's part of the school day.  Since it's a religion course, the kids are 'released' from school for a 'time' in order to participate. 

 

As far as a small stipend for those that teach the 'early morning' version, my friend was given something like $50 to cover copies, visual aids, donuts, whatever.  Let's just say that hardly covered what was needed.

 

Yeh that's kind of what I had in my mind that my mom received.  I wanted to see if anything had changed.  

[pkstpaul]

I heard about this on another LDS forum. I have always thought that Seminary and Institute teaching was a calling, and didn't get paid.

I believe this is specific to the Church Education System.  It is run just as a corporation, or division of the Church corporation. One of my friends just retired from CES, pension and all.

[Just_A_Guy]

Silhouette - "Released Time" is when it's part of the school day.  Since it's a religion course, the kids are 'released' from school for a 'time' in order to participate. 

 

As far as a small stipend for those that teach the 'early morning' version, my friend was given something like $50 to cover copies, visual aids, donuts, whatever.  Let's just say that hardly covered what was needed.

 

To add:  In Utah, whenever a new high school is being built, the Church makes it a priority to secure an adjacent property and build a dedicated seminary building right there.  For example, below is a link to a Google Street View image of Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah.  The building up front is the seminary building; and back behind is the high school:

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Westlake+High+School/@40.3621517,-111.9241429,3a,75y,16.97h,93.04t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sD23TBEkZWejUbkDTa6B2IQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x874d7eec0669ae95:0x8a1eb7f20793e5e9

 

And here's Lehi High School--the seminary building to the left behind the trees, and the high school on the right:

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3908587,-111.8410559,3a,75y,56.77h,85.45t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1saRbc9RtLFW2g-fIXCOdz0A!2e0

[Silhouette]

Thanks for your explanations and clarifications, everyone. I appreciate it very much.