Ethan Walker
In 1949, St. John's Parish in Collingswood, New Jersey, purchased the property at White Horse Pike and Magill Avenue with the intention of building a church. The Church of the Transfiguration was established as the focal point of the parish, and in 1962, construction began on a Catholic school on the premises. The school opened in September 1963 with teachers from the Sisters of St. Dominic in Blauvelt, New York, and six full-time lay teachers. The school closed in June 1994, but there are still Catholic schools in Collingswood, New Jersey, that are hiring Catholic teachers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Collingswood, NJ |
| Type of school | Catholic |
| Employment opportunities | Teachers, assistant teachers, assistant principals, bookkeepers |
| Requirements for teachers | Thorough knowledge of teaching best practices, proficient in Google for Education and Google Classroom, able to maintain an online gradebook and virtual communications |
| Parish | St. John's Parish |
| Founding pastor | Reverend Daniel J. McGill |
| Year established | 1950 |
| Year school was established | 1962 |
| Year school opened | 1963 |
| Founding principal | Sister Rosarita Duggan |
| Year school closed | 1994 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic schools in Collingswood, NJ
Catholic schools in the United States have been facing a challenging situation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. During the 2024-25 academic year, there were 5,852 Catholic schools in operation, down from 11,000 in 1970. More than 30 Catholic schools in New Jersey have closed since 2020, with at least four closing in June 2025. This broader national trend has been a cause for concern among church officials and educators.
Collingswood, New Jersey, has also been affected by this situation. Good Shepherd Regional Elementary School in Collingswood was among the Catholic schools in the state that closed down. However, there are still Catholic schools operating in the area, including Villa Madonna Academy, Saint Thomas More Catholic School, Notre Dame Preparatory High School, and Immaculata-La Salle High School. These schools are part of the Catholic educational system, which typically welcomes students from all religions. While the majority of students and teachers identify as Catholic, approximately 21% of students and 16% of faculty members do not.
Catholic schools in Collingswood, like elsewhere, aim to provide an education that extends beyond academics. They strive to foster Catholic values and virtues such as integrity, honesty, maturity, and responsibility in their students. Teachers in these schools are expected to maintain appropriate boundaries in their interactions with students and parents while adhering to safety and security protocols. They are also encouraged to incorporate creative and culturally responsive teaching methods, utilizing technology such as Google for Education and Google Classroom.
The Diocese of Camden, which oversees Catholic schools in the region, including Collingswood, has been actively involved in supporting Catholic education. When Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School faced closure in 2020, supporters raised over $1 million, allowing the schools to merge into Wildwood Catholic Academy. This example demonstrates the commitment of the community to ensuring the continuity of Catholic education in the area.
Catholic schools in Collingswood, New Jersey, have faced challenges in recent years, with some closures impacting the local community. However, through the dedication of educators, administrators, and supporters, Catholic education persists in the area, providing students with a values-based and well-rounded academic experience.
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The Church of the Transfiguration
Over the years, the Church of the Transfiguration has undergone several changes and mergers. On April 3, 2008, Bishop Joseph A. Galante announced that the church would close and merge with St. John's Parish in Collingswood and Holy Savior Parish in Westmont to form a single new parish. However, on April 8, 2009, Bishop Galante reversed his decision due to building issues at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Woodlynne. Instead, it was decided that Immaculate Heart of Mary would merge with Transfiguration to create a new parish.
The church has faced financial challenges and building maintenance issues in the past. Father Richard J. Lodge, who served as pastor from January 1997, played a crucial role in addressing these issues. He undertook various repairs and renovations, including pointing, installing new roofs, resolving drainage problems, replacing sidewalks, and making the rectory handicap-accessible. Father Lodge's handyman skills and dedication helped save the parish from significant financial strain.
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St. John's Parish
The parishioners of St. John's had purchased the property at White Horse Pike and Magill Avenue in 1949, intending to erect a church. Construction on the church, named the Church of the Transfiguration, began in 1962, and the building was dedicated in March 1963 by Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano. The first Catholic school on the premises opened in September 1963, with Sisters of St. Dominic from Blauvelt, New York, and six full-time lay teachers comprising the initial staff. Sister Rosarita Duggan served as the first principal and taught fourth grade.
Over the years, the school experienced fluctuations in attendance, with the number of Sisters decreasing to four by 1972. In 1974, the school introduced its first kindergarten class, and in 1994, it closed due to declining attendance. However, the CCD program, directed by Partie O'Brien, remains active and engages in various charitable endeavours.
The Church of the Transfiguration continues to serve as a focal point for the parish community, with the Gospel as its ever-new foundation. The parish has also sought talented teachers and leaders for its Catholic schools, emphasising the integration of faith and knowledge. The Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Newark, which includes St. John's Parish, have been recognised for their academic excellence, with a third of the schools receiving Blue Ribbons from the US Department of Education since 2011.
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Catholic school teachers' responsibilities
Catholic school teachers play a crucial role in shaping the academic and spiritual growth of their students. While their specific responsibilities can vary depending on the school and grade level, there are several key duties and expectations that are common among Catholic school teachers.
Firstly, Catholic school teachers are responsible for providing a well-rounded education that integrates faith and academic instruction. They are expected to have a strong understanding of Catholic doctrine and values, and to incorporate these into their teaching practices. This includes fostering the spiritual and human formation of students, encouraging the adoption of Catholic values, and promoting the virtues of integrity, honesty, maturity, and responsibility. Catholic school teachers are also tasked with creating a safe and supportive learning environment that aligns with Catholic principles. This involves maintaining appropriate boundaries in communication, technology use, and finances, as well as adhering to safety and security protocols to ensure the well-being of their students.
Additionally, Catholic school teachers are expected to stay up-to-date with teaching methodologies and best practices. They should be proficient in using educational technology, such as Google for Education and Google Classroom, to enhance their instruction. Teachers are also responsible for maintaining accurate records, including online gradebooks and virtual communication with students and parents.
Another key responsibility of Catholic school teachers is to build and nurture relationships with their students. They are seen as labourers of the Holy Spirit, entrusted with the task of leading their students towards salvation and a deeper relationship with God. This involves not only imparting knowledge about the Catholic faith but also serving as witnesses and role models of Christian values in their words and deeds. Catholic school teachers are expected to create a faith community within the classroom, fostering open conversations about God, Jesus, and the saints.
Furthermore, Catholic school teachers often have the opportunity to contribute to the broader school community. This may include participating in extra-curricular activities, supervising student clubs or organizations, and collaborating with other faculty and staff members to create a cohesive and faith-filled environment.
Overall, Catholic school teachers have a unique and important role in shaping the academic, spiritual, and moral development of their students. By integrating faith and academic instruction, nurturing relationships, and contributing to the larger school community, they help prepare their students for their future missions and calls in life.
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Catholic school job vacancies
There are several Catholic school job vacancies in Collingswood, New Jersey. The Sacred Heart School in Camden, NJ, for instance, is seeking a middle school teacher who is passionate about helping students. The school is also advertising for a Montessori elementary teacher. Additionally, the Catholic Partnership Schools in Camden are looking for an elementary and middle school teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.
Other Catholic schools in the area with job openings include Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church and School in Medford, which is hiring a bookkeeper, and St. Peter the Apostle School, which seeks an art teacher for PK-Grade 8 students.
While there are job vacancies in Catholic schools in Collingswood, NJ, it is important to note that Catholic schools across the country, including in New Jersey, are facing closures due to declining enrollment and financial pressures. Since 2020, more than 30 Catholic schools have closed in New Jersey, and nationwide, there has been a decline in the number of Catholic schools and students.
Despite these challenges, Catholic schools in Collingswood, NJ, and elsewhere continue to seek dedicated educators and staff who are committed to providing a high-quality, values-based education to their students.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic teachers were allowed to teach in Collingswood, NJ. There are several Catholic schools in the area, including Villa Madonna Academy, Saint Thomas More Catholic School, and Notre Dame Preparatory High School.
Some examples of Catholic schools in Collingswood, NJ include Villa Madonna Academy, Saint Thomas More Catholic School, and Notre Dame Preparatory High School.
Catholic schools in Collingswood, NJ are taught by both nuns and lay teachers. For example, in 1963, the Sisters of St. Dominic from Blauvelt, NY, and six full-time lay teachers staffed the school at the Church of the Transfiguration.
Catholic school teachers in Collingswood, NJ are responsible for encouraging students' spiritual and human formation, adopting Catholic values, and demonstrating virtues such as integrity, honesty, maturity, and responsibility. They are also expected to observe appropriate boundaries in communication, technology, and finances, as well as follow safety and security protocols. Additionally, they should be proficient in educational technology and student information management systems.
Yes, there are job opportunities for Catholic school teachers in Collingswood, NJ. Job postings can be found on websites like Indeed.com and K12 Academics, which list positions such as elementary and middle school teachers, assistant teachers, and assistant principals.
