Cura Community
The Billiken Teacher Corps: Cura Community is a program for recent college graduates that focuses on holistic support for participants as they begin their careers teaching in Jesuit or underserved Catholic schools. The name Cura Community speaks to the program's approach, which balances cura personalis (care for the whole person) with cura apostolica (care for the mission work). The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to live out the Jesuit mission as men and women for and with others, making a transformative impact in their communities.
Cura Community Pillars
1. Service
Be the difference. Teach full time and impact students' lives while gaining leadership skills as coaches, club moderators or campus ministers in Catholic schools.
2. Learning
Be supported as a new teacher. Earn a Master of Arts in Teaching with full tuition remission and receive mentoring from experts with a passion for education.
3. Growth
Be your authentic self. Live in an intentional faith community with your peers, cultivate your faith, and grow as a person.
4. Social Justice
Be an advocate with and for your students to create equity in Catholic education.
5. Simple Living
Be mindful of your resources. Living simply allows more time for building intentional relationships with fellow community members and your school community.
Cura Community Timeline
The priority application deadline is January 25. Applications will be accepted after that date on a rolling basis until the cohort is filled. The program begins in early June each year.
- - Cura Community members gain two years of full-time teaching experience while earning their Master of Arts in Teaching with full tuition remission. Monthly stipends and low-cost housing are provided as part of this fellowship.
- - The hallmark of this program is the cohort model. Participants live in a supportive, faith-based community with other program members and participate in regular, intentional opportunities for spiritual nourishment, such as retreats and community events.
- - Members who are not already certified also earn a Missouri teaching certificate via the alternative route.
- - Alternative certification is available for secondary, middle and elementary teachers upon meeting Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements.
- - Applicants work with the Billiken Teacher Corps program director to secure a school placement that fits their content background and teaching desires.
- - Cura Community members collaborate with mentors and a University supervisor to receive real-time feedback and support around instructional strategies and classroom management.
Cura Community Pillars
1. Service
Be the difference. Teach full time and impact students' lives while gaining leadership skills as coaches, club moderators or campus ministers in Catholic schools.
2. Learning
Be supported as a new teacher. Earn a Master of Arts in Teaching with full tuition remission and receive mentoring from experts with a passion for education.
3. Growth
Be your authentic self. Live in an intentional faith community with your peers, cultivate your faith, and grow as a person.
4. Social Justice
Be an advocate with and for your students to create equity in Catholic education.
5. Simple Living
Be mindful of your resources. Living simply allows more time for building intentional relationships with fellow community members and your school community.
Cura Community Timeline
The priority application deadline is January 25. Applications will be accepted after that date on a rolling basis until the cohort is filled. The program begins in early June each year.