Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University has introduced a new pathway within its Billiken Teacher Corps to address the growing demand for qualified educators in Catholic schools. The new program, known as MAT Magis, offers a flexible two-year option for individuals already teaching or seeking positions in Catholic schools.

Angela Moret, Ed.D., Director of the Billiken Teacher Corps, explained the decision: “Bringing this new avenue for teachers to get their masters under the Billiken Teacher Corps umbrella was an easy decision for us. If educators, those already working as teachers, paraprofessionals or classroom aides in Catholic schools, would like to take the next step in their career, we can support them through that. If career changers are passionate about teaching kids, a content area, and sharing their faith, we can help them bridge that transition to the classroom.”

The MAT Magis program is open to part-time teachers and elementary classroom aides with bachelor's degrees who wish to gain additional credentials. Participants receive an automatic tuition discount when employed by a Catholic school at the start of coursework and throughout the program.

Students may begin coursework during any semester—summer, fall, or spring—and will attend classes over two summers and one evening each week during the school year. Moret emphasized the benefits of this flexibility: “The MAT Magis program opens up a lot of flexibility for both our students and local schools. The nature of the Billiken Teacher Corps is to serve those that are underserved...MAT Magis brings a new pipeline of teachers into the field when there's a teacher shortage.”

In contrast to MAT Magis's non-residential format, another BTC initiative called Cura Community offers recent college graduates holistic support as they start teaching careers in Jesuit or underserved Catholic schools. Participants receive full tuition remission while earning their Master of Arts in Teaching degree along with monthly stipends and low-cost housing.

Since its inception in 2015 at Saint Louis University (SLU), BTC has partnered with over 20 Catholic schools across St. Louis region forming next-generation educators through academically excellent spiritually-guided service-learning communities aligned closely with SLU’s mission as both Jesuit institution & higher-ed establishment according Moret who stated "It’s important for programs such as [BTC] within School Education engage community forming new high-quality teachers."

Due increased requests from principals prospective student inquiries regarding Master Arts Teaching degree creation new program provided opportunity include more educators fulfilling need amidst ongoing teacher shortages nationwide noted director Angela Moret.