Welcome to a unique Catholic experience! Catholic schools have traditionally been the most effective way to pass on our faith to future generations. In an exceedingly complex world, we offer the simple realities of a Catholic education: values that bring lasting peace and happiness. We center our education on the spiritual and secular dimensions of our lives. Our schools focus on service within and outside the school community and give our students a sense of belonging to a global community.

Serving the needs of Catholic education in 13 counties of northwestern Pennsylvania the diocese, its parishes and institutions operate 33 elementary, 2 middle and 7 secondary schools with a total enrollment of nearly 10,000 students. Our schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and are members of the National Catholic Education Association.

Teachers frequently asked questions

Q:  What is the teachers' bbs?

A:  This is an electronic bulletin board system that communicates with you through your e-mail.  The Catholic Schools Office uses this system to send you information regarding professional development, certification, and other important and interesting updates. You should receive an e-mail message when there is something new posted on the bulletin board system.  You can click on the link in the e-mail message, or go to www.eriercd.org/teachers.asp to access the system.  If you have questions or problems, contact Kathy Wagner at kwagner@eriercd.org.

Q:  I would like to apply for Instructional II certification. What should I do?

A:  Go to the PDE website, http://www.pde.state.pa.us. Click on "Forms," and print out PDE338-G and PDE338-P.  Read the directions attached to each form. 

You complete 338-G. 

338-P needs to be completed by the Catholic Schools Office; fill in ONLY part I of this form and send it to the Catholic Schools Office.  A stamped, self-addressed envelope is greatly appreciated.

Contact your principal and ask him/her to complete an observation of you, using teacher evaluation form 427.  The last page of 427 must be included with your application.

If you have additional questions, contact Pat McLaughlin at pmclaughlin@eriercd.org.

Q:  What events qualify for Act 48 hours?

A:  An event must meet these requirements:

1.      It must continue the professional education of the participant.
2.      It must enhance student achievement.
3.      It must relate to at least one of the following goals from the Act 48 plan the diocese has submitted to PDE:

• To develop a wider variety of authentic student assessments
• To use the data derived from student assessments in planning instruction
• To improve and implement educators’ basic technology skills
• To implement brain-based learning research in planning instruction
• To meet the varying needs of students in the regular classroom
• To learn and implement research-based best practices in specific areas of assignment and certification

4.      It must qualify as one of the following subject areas, now required by PDE:

• Teaching and learning professional development
• Standards area curriculum and assessment
• Academic content studies
• Technology
• Student social and health issues
• School administration