Lighting a Fire! All things Teaching and Learning with the Teaching Council

In this episode, Phil Fox, Acting Director of The Teaching Council, is joined by Dr. Patrick Kirwan and Dr. Mary Moore, to discuss sustainability education in schools. The conversation focuses on practical steps that school communities can take to instil a growth mindset approach towards sustainability, education outdoors, empowering pupils to become agents of meaningful action, and much more. After a career in science as an epidemiologist, Patrick trained as a post-primary Science teacher. In 2021, Patrick founded the Irish Schools Sustainability Network, which brings together teachers and students from different schools to foster climate and nature conversations, to work on joint initiatives, share best practice, and push sustainability to the top of the educational agenda. Mary Moore is a primary school teacher with a passion for all things science and sustainability. She is currently teaching third class in Clerihan N.S., Co. Tipperary, and is an active member of the Irish Schools Sustainability Network. To find out more about the ISSN, and find the resources mentioned in the podcast, see: https://www.issn.ie/ or connect on twitter @IrishSchSusty

In this episode, Phil Fox, Acting Director of The Teaching Council, is joined by Ann Marie Caulfield and Josephine Byrne, to explore their experiences of inclusive education in mainstream schools. Ann Marie has been a post-primary teacher since 1996. She is currently an assistant principal and the additional needs coordinator at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush, Co. Dublin. Josephine has been a primary teacher since 1999. She is an assistant principal at St. Mary’s Primary School, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, where she currently teaches 1st Class. Inclusive teaching is ‘good teaching’. What is necessary for one pupil, can benefit all in the classroom. This podcast features practical advice for teachers seeking to enhance their inclusive practice. It reflects on the challenges and opportunities of true inclusivity, supporting pupils with additional needs in the transition from primary to post-primary; and much, much more. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by the Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of the Teaching Council.

This panel remembered and reflected on the past two years of the pandemic and reimagined the future of teaching and learning. As we journey from what has been a huge global pandemic affecting not only schools but entire communities, a conversation on the FÉILTE 2022 theme Remembering, Reflecting and Reimagining is both timely and apt. When schools were forced to close, the need for and the importance of collaboration within the entire education system became even more clear. During these extraordinary times, teachers, student teachers and schools rose to the challenge, demonstrating their ultimate professionalism along with creativity, compassion, and collaboration to ensure that learning for all continued. While the pandemic posed many challenges across the education community, it has also resulted in new, exciting, and innovative practices, many of which we saw at FÉILTE 2020 and 2021. One obvious challenge was online teaching, where teachers faced decisions such as camera on or off during class time, most suitable platform to use, GDPR, broadband connectivity, student engagement and well-being, curriculum delivery and much more. The pandemic highlighted another theme which our panel will drew on. Respect; for the teaching profession, and respect for the role that teachers play not only in the classroom but in the community. Teachers adapted admirably during the pandemic, and as former President of Ireland Mary Robinson at FÉILTE 2020 noted “every parent values teachers more now because they did their home schooling during the lockdown and learned how difficult it is to home-school well”. Teachers now have an opportunity to remember teaching through the pandemic, both the good and not so welcome elements, and to reflect on what is important. There is now an opportunity to reflect and explore what has changed, what are the implications of these changes, what have we learned? This panel remembered and reflected on the past two years and reimagine the future of teaching and learning.

In this episode Tomás Ó Ruairc, former Director of the Teaching Council, is joined by Dr Finn Ó Murchú for a conversation about leadership, initial teacher education and much more. Finn is Head of School of Education (post-primary) at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Thurles, Ireland. He lectures across a wide range of programmes and supervises research from undergraduate to doctorate levels, with a particular interest in teacher professional learning, school leadership, inclusive and collaborative practices. He has a particular interest in teacher education, team teaching (where two teachers share the teaching space) and practices that support inclusive learning. He is also Programme Co-ordinator for Postgraduate Studies in Middle Leadership and Mentoring in primary and post-primary School at MIC. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Lighting a Fire! All things Teaching and Learning with The Teaching Council In this episode, Phil Fox, Acting Director of The Teaching Council, is joined by Caroline Healy and Orla Kenny from Scoil Mhuire National School in Leitrim. Caroline began her teaching career at Scoil Mhuire in 1983 and is the principal at the school since 2001. Orla is a teacher in Scoil Mhuire since 1994 and the current 6th class teacher. Scoil Mhuire is a mixed primary school situated in the town of Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The school has a present enrolment of 486 pupils and their enrolment is composed of pupils from many different nationalities - Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, England, Spain, USA - as well as a strong cohort of local pupils. Scoil Mhuire has welcomed 15 Ukrainian students since March 2022 and has a strong history of educating pupils from other countries who have come seeking employment or asylum and refuge. It is within this context that the Teaching Council invited Caroline and Orla to participate in this podcast to share their experiences of working with pupils who have arrived at their school from other countries. During the episode Phil, Caroline and Orla discuss the experiences of the Ukrainian children enrolling in the school, from their first day emotions to their integration with their fellow classmates. The conversation also explores the experiences of Caroline and Orla including managing language barriers, introducing the children to the curriculum and helping the families meet the local community. During the conversation Caroline and Orla offer advice to fellow principals and teachers welcoming Ukrainian children into their school for the first time. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

In this episode Tomás Ó Ruairc is joined by Michelle Stowe for a conversation about restorative practice, professional learning communities and much more! Michelle Stowe taught English and Spanish for 16 years and now works as a restorative practitioner, trainer, researcher and consultant. She is currently lecturing trainee teachers on the Professional Masters in Education (PME) programme in Maynooth University. In her role as the director of Connect RP, she supports schools in growing a restorative culture that puts people and relationships at the heart of a learning community. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

San eagrán seo, in éineacht le Phil Fox, Stiúrthóir Gníomhach na Comhairle Múinteoireachta, tá an Dr T.J. Ó Ceallaigh, Stiúrthóir Staidéar Iarchéime Múinte i gColáiste Mhuire gan Smál (MIC), Ollscoil Luimnigh, le haghaidh comhrá maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge, an dóchas atá ann don teanga amach anseo, an t-oideachas digiteach agus i bhfad níos mó! Fógra Séanta um Podchraoladh: D’ullmhaigh an Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta na taifeadtaí seo chun críocha eolais agus plé ghinearálta. Má chuirtear barúlacha nó tuairimí in iúl, is iad seo dearcthaí na gcainteoirí aonair atá á léiriú agus ní gá gurb iad dearcthaí na Comhairle Múinteoireachta. In this episode Phil Fox, Acting Director of The Teaching Council is joined by Dr. T.J. Ó Ceallaigh, the Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies in Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), University of Limerick for a conversation about promotion of the Irish language, hopes for the language going forward, digital education and much more! Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Ciara O’Donnell is the National Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), the Department of Education’s largest national cross sectoral continuing professional development service. Ciara is a primary school teacher and has worked in teacher education with the Department of Education’s support services since 2005 holding a number of curricular and policy leadership roles. Ciara’s current research interests include teacher education, educational leadership and curriculum. In this episode Tomás Ó Ruairc is joined by Ciara O’Donnell for a conversation about curriculum, collaborative professional development, leadership and much more! Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

In this episode Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of The Teaching Council is joined by Patrick Sullivan for a conversation about curriculum, role models, engaging with communities and much more. Patrick Sullivan has worked with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) since 2013. As Deputy Chief Executive Officer, he oversees developments in early childhood and primary education. Patrick began his teaching career in Callystown National School before taking a teaching principal’s role in Ard Rí Community National School in 2010. He holds a first-class masters in Educational Leadership from Maynooth University and a professional doctorate from Dublin City University. Patrick has also delivered teacher training programmes in the North-east of India as a member of the charity Global Schoolroom. Of utmost importance to his work is a commitment to supporting children and teachers by ensuring an inclusive and collaborative approach to curriculum development. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Roddy Doyle has written twelve novels, including The Commitments, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, for which he won the Booker Prize in 1993, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, Smile and, most recently, Love. He has written three collections of short stories and eight books for children. He co-wrote The Second Half, with Roy Keane. He has also written for stage and screen. His latest book, published this year, is Life Without Children, a collection of stories, most of which are set during the Covid pandemic. He is the co-founder and chairman of Fighting Words. He was a teacher of English and Geography at Greendale Community School, in Kilbarrack, on Dublin's northside, between 1979 and 1993. He lives in Dublin. In this episode we revisit FÉILTE 2021 where Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council interviewed Roddy Doyle for the opening Keynote. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Andy Hargreaves is a Professor at Boston College and the University of Ottawa. He is also a writer, speaker, consultant and policy adviser. Andy is the founder of the ARC Education Project of which Ireland is a member. This is a group of nations committed to broadly defined excellence, equity, wellbeing, inclusion, democracy and human rights in professionally run systems. Andy, along with Dennis Shirley, recently released the book Five Paths to Student Engagement which brings together 7 years of collaborative research on engagement. In this episode, Andy joins Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, for a conversation about the importance of engagement in the teaching and learning process, the future of education as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, and much more. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Dr Deborah Netolicky has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and school leadership in Australia and England. She is currently Head of Teaching and Learning at St Mark’s Anglican Community School, Honorary Research Associate at Murdoch University, Chair of a local primary school board, and member of education advisory committees. She blogs at theeduflaneuse.com, is author of Transformational Professional Learning: Making a Difference in Schools, editor of the upcoming Future Alternatives for Educational Leadership: Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Democracy and co-editor of Flip the System. Deborah joins Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council and Dr Finn Ó Murchú, Head of School (Post Primary) in Mary Immaculate College, Thurles for a chat about Professional Learning, Wellbeing, Wayfinding Leadership and much more. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

In this episode, Clive Byrne joins Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, and guest host Áine Lynch, CEO of the National Parents Council Primary for a chat about his career journey, his participation in the Wellbeing for All group, the school community, school leadership and much more. Clive is the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), a role he has held since 2008. In his role as Director of NAPD, Clive has written and presented on the role of the school leader as an agent of change in Irish education and has been an outspoken advocate for reform of curriculum and assessment to make Ireland’s system fit for purpose. He previously served two terms as President of the European School Heads Association and as a Council member of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP). He was appointed to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and served two terms, being Chair of the Board for Senior Cycle during the final term. Clive is due to retire this summer and may we take this opportunity to wish him the very best in his next chapter and thank him for his valuable contribution to education. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Dr Niall Muldoon is Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children and has worked in the area of Child Protection for over 20 years. In this episode, Niall joins Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, and guest host, Angela Lynch, Principal Advice Manager at the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), to chat about what drives him in his role as Ombudsman, the Wellbeing for Teachers and Learners Group, and what education means to him. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Ciara Reilly is an Assistant Lecturer in Digital Education at the Marino Institute of Technology, and is well known to many teachers around the country through her contributions on Twitter via #edchatie. Ciara joins Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, and Brian Fahy, primary teacher on secondment and Communications Associate in the Teaching Council, for a chat about her career journey including her pioneering work with Kathleen Byrne in bringing Teachmeet to Ireland, navigating the ups and downs of working online in the current climate, and what learnings we can take forward when life returns to normal. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

We are revisiting FÉILTE 2019 in NUI Galway, where Dr Finn Ó Murchú stepped in at the last minute to host a panel discussion on Inclusive Education. The focus of the discussion is not only about additional needs or special education needs, but rather it looks at the wider area of inclusion – socio economic diversity, access to our education system for all teachers and all learners. Although this discussion took place in 2019, we know that inclusive education is always relevant. Perhaps now, more than ever, we are looking at ways to include everyone in the school community while COVID rages through our communities. Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director and CEO of the Teaching Council, hosts a panel discussion with members of the education community: Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, John Cunningham, student in NUI Galway, Nada Khaled-Abdo, teacher, Dr Finn Ó Murchú, Head of School, MIC Thurles. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Mary Robinson, the Former president of Ireland and former UN Commission for Human Rights, was a guest at FÉILTE 2020, the annual Festival of Education in Learning and Teaching Excellence. She was the keynote interviewee at the festival, and director of The Teaching Council, Tomás Ó Ruairc interviewed her via video link. She spoke about the importance of teachers in our society and had a wide-ranging discussion on topics from climate change to social justice, to Covid 19 to poetry! Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.

Moninne Griffith, CEO of BeLonG To, speaks to hosts Tomás Ó Ruairc, director of The Teaching Council, and Máirín Ní Chéilleachair, director of Dublin West Education Centre about supporting LGBTI+ students in schools and in the community. BeLonG To runs Stand Up Awareness Week every November, which is a time for second-level schools, youth services, and Youthreach Centres in Ireland to join us and take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. This week is an opportunity for schools to look at how they can make them safe and supportive places for LGBTI+ students. Tomás, Máirín and Moninne chat about Moninne's experience of school when she was growing up, about the work Belong To do supporting young LGBT people and how everyone in society can be an ally by 'coming in'. Podcast Disclaimer Notice: These recordings have been prepared by The Teaching Council for general information and discussion purposes. Any expression of viewpoints or opinions reflect the views of the individual speakers and are not necessarily those of The Teaching Council.