Bursaries for Dublin teachers

A NUMBER of Dublin teachers have been awarded bursaries that were presented in the run up to the Christmas holidays to teachers and others engaged in a range of education-related research projects as part of the first public service wide Innovation Week.

The Teaching Council presented 24 bursaries in total worth more than €86,000. 

They were awarded under the third cycle of the John Coolahan Research Support Framework – a key element of the Council’s CROÍ (Collaboration and Research for Ongoing Innovation) research series.

Through the Research Support Framework, and CROÍ more broadly, the Council highlights the fact that research, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of teaching and learning.

The Framework is designed to support teachers’ ongoing professional growth through their engagement in and with research, and the sharing of learning from that process.

The research activities being supported by the Teaching Council under the Framework cover a range of topics from professional learning, to wellbeing, to student teachers’ attitudes to teaching in a Gaelcholáiste.

Many involve innovative partnerships across schools and between schools and Higher Education Institutions.

“Through the John Coolahan Research Support Framework, the Teaching Council is supporting teachers in leading cutting-edge research, and in sharing learning from research, in schools across the country,” said Teaching Council Deputy Chairperson, Séan McMahon.

“And through this research awards programme we are publicly celebrating primary, post-primary, and further education teachers as researchers, as innovators, and as collaborators.”

Teaching Council Director, Tomás Ó Ruairc said he was delighted that the council was recognising innovation shown by teachers and teacher educators during Innovation Week 2019.

“The John Coolahan Research Support Framework is itself an innovation in how the public sector supports the sharing of best practice amongst teachers,” he continued.

“The research projects which we are recognising this week connect learning between schools, universities and colleges of education.

“This connection of innovation will enhance the quality of teaching and learning for all of our pupils and students.”

The Dublin award winners who were presented with bursaries during Innovation Week included:

• Kathryn Corbett, principal in Bishop Galvin NS, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.

• Deirbhile Nic Craith, Director of Education and Research with the INTO.

• Michael O’Leary, Director of the Centre for Assessment Research Policy and Practice in DCU Institute of Education.

• Zita Lysaght, lecturer in School of Policy and Practice in DCU Institute of Education.

• Iseult O’ Rourke, post-primary teacher in Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan Co Dublin.

• Niamh O’Meara, lecturer in the School of Education in University of Limerick.

• Sean McMahon, Deputy Chairperson of the Teaching Council

• Eilis O’Meara, primary teacher in Harold’s Cross National School, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6.