Perhaps you should share some of your concerns with the
principal. Address your feelings about the religious content
and see how that aligns with the philosophy of the school.
More importantly, thought, discuss your feelings about not
being prepared to teach and see what solutions you could work
out. You should get to know your colleagues and see if they
would be willing to mentor you and help you get up to speed.
If you're not set to start for a while, see if there are ways
you could get to know the kids and break the ice before your
first day as their full-time teacher. Take a look at the
school's curriculum and resources to get a feel for what you
can plan. Approach this with fun and enthusiasm, not dread.
And just know that it will be rough at first; it is that way
for anyone new to teaching children. You are going to feel
tired and frustrated. But there will also be good things,
especially when the kids make you laugh. Hold on to those
moments to help you through the rough spots. But don't back
out until you try it.

On 10/18/09, teachn1 wrote:
> Hi, everyone!
>
> I have a difficult situation and hope that you might be
> able to help. A junior high teacher at a religious private
> school must go on leave (for personal resons) for the
> remainder of the year, and this school offered me her
> position. I have college teaching experience but have
> never taught the grade or the subjects I will be teaching
> and I do not have a teaching certificate. However, I like
> teaching, and the money is good, so I signed a contract
> last week despite some hesitations regarding my ability to
> the job well. After signing the contract, I was given a
> tour of the school and found myself growing increasingly
> uncomfortable with my role there, and I have spent much of
> the time since signing the contract questioning my
> decision.
>
> I am supposed to begin teaching in a few weeks but am
> considering backing out of my contract. I certainly do not
> want to do such a thing, as I am usually very professional,
> but I cannot get over this feeling that something isn't
> right (not with the school, but with my teaching for the
> school). Perhaps this is just fear that I have gotten
> myself in over my head. I accepted the position because,
> on paper (and perhaps also in reality), the position and
> the income seem to be a good and rare opportunity, and I am
> in need of a job.
>
> I would like to get some feedback from some of you, as
> those closest to me can only look at what I saw prior to
> signing the contract: a good opportunity, a school
> schedule, and good money. However, as many of you know,
> this cannot be everything when accepting a teaching
> position. I am concerned because, while I have some
> experience (mostly as a student, not a teacher) with the
> subjects I'll be teaching, they are not my areas of
> expertise, and, honestly, I don't know how to teach (and
> discipline) this grade level and these subjects. My biggest
> concern, though, is the reason for this feeling I've been
> having. First of all, I don't have a good feeling with the
> principal of the school. He has been quite nice and cares a
> lot about the school, but at the end of the day when I
> signed the contract, he also seemed to be trying to
> reassure himself that he had made the right choice (he kept
> saying, "This is a good thing."). Secondly, I am not
> religious. I do not have a problem working in a religious
> school, in the sense that I will not hinder anyone's
> religious education and I encourage people to explore their
> spiritually. However, I did experience some discomfort when
> the prayer was said over the loud speaker; perhaps,
> however, this discomfort would dissipate over time.
>
> Like I said above, some of these concerns may simply be
> fears, but some may be indications that I am not the right
> person for this job. If it is the latter, I believe I
> should break the contract as soon as possible and hope that
> the school would not hold me to the charges for breaking a
> contract. However, before making a decision, I hope to
> hear some feedback from current teachers.
>
> Thank you for your help.

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