K-12 International Teaching Opportunity

K-12 International Teaching Opportunity:

Archbishop Bashar Warda has identified high quality Catholic education as a promising avenue for strengthening the ancient minority community of Christians in Iraq. With the help of Franciscan University, he established St. Thomas Mission in 2021 as a way to connect the Archdiocese of Erbil to K-12 teaching talent in the US. St. Thomas Mission is a unique opportunity to:

•Serve the universal Church

•Form the future leaders of Iraqi Christians

•Authentically experience Middle Eastern culture

•Explore the historic Kurdistan region of Iraq

•Participate in the ancient and liturgically rich Chaldean Catholic rite

•Write and develop school curriculum

•Travel during breaks

The Archdiocese provides each teacher with an apartment and a modest salary, as well as transportation between the US and Iraq for summer and winter breaks. For week-long mid semester breaks, teachers are free to travel (Last year, teachers traveled to Turkey, Greece, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Jordan!).

During the ‘25-’26 school year, eight teachers served with St. Thomas Mission, including alumnus from University of California Berkeley, Hillsdale College, St. John’s College, University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Franciscan University, University of Iowa, and Walsh University. Contracts begin at one year with possibility for extension.

For more information, contact Alex McKenna alexander.mckenna001@gmail.com.

Instagram: st.thomas.mission

Linkedin: Saint Thomas Mission

Mar Qardakh International School: https://marqardakh.com/