Partnership with Schools Project in Teacher Professional Development (2005-2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Closing Seminar of the Partnership with Schools Project on 3 June 2010, Dr Pauric Travers, President, confirmed the commitment of the College to developing and sustaining the role of schools in teaching practice and building on the findings of the five-year (2005-2010) partnership with schools pilot project.  Dr Travers congratulated the schools, the students and the project team for their work over the past five years.  The partnership project set out to explore a range of processes to involve schools more systematically in teaching practice and to develop new spaces for students to learn about teaching and learning during teaching practice in creative and participative ways.   The project was set within the context of a continuum approach to teacher professional development.  As an action research project, the findings from year to year informed the development of structures and processes. 

The project was funded by the College and designed in collaboration with schools and students.  The 2009/2010 project team comprised: Paula Murphy, Seán Mac Conmara, Brian Ruane, Mary Kildea, Dr. Bernadette Ní Áingléis (Project Co-Ordinator, Director of Teaching Practice).   A range of school types and sizes and student year groups were involved over the five years.  A key emphasis in the project was on supporting whole school staffs to support student teachers on teaching practice in the areas of  communication, relationships and mentoring skills, and the development of a partnership handbook and teacher evaluation forms.  Principals, teachers and students were centrally involved in the design of project materials, structures and processes.  A further emphasis was placed on encouraging students to meet, reflect and share ideas and learnings during teaching practice.  Over the five years of the project, the Inspectorate, the Teaching Council, the INTO, the College Governing Body, and numerous College staff members provided expertise in the delivery of seminars and various types of support for other important project elements.  Dr Fionnuala Waldron, Head of Education, announced at the closing seminar (3 June 2010) that the project evaluation will take place in 2010/2011 and the outcomes used to inform a phased roll-out of a partnership-with-schools orientation to teaching practice into the future.  Developing the role of schools in teaching practice has been and remains a key strategic goal of the College.

Presentations at the closing seminar were also made by Dr Déirdre Kirwan, Principal Teacher, Scoil Bhríde Cailíní, Blanchardstown, Helen McCabe, Class Teacher, St. Patrick’s BNS, Drumcondra, and student teachers, Peter Melrose and Sarah Coen.  The seminar ambience was further enhanced by the musical expertise and contributions of student teachers, Rachael Duddy, Muireann Mulrooney and James Burke (pictured below with Bernadette Ní Áingleis), and by the photographic displays which provided a backdrop to the seminar.    

 

 

 

Last Updated: Friday June 11 2010