Innovative Approaches to Teacher Professional Development Across the Island of Ireland

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium explores the transformative potential of professional development initiatives to drive educational renewal within teacher education across Ireland. It proposes three approaches that support continuous professional growth. Scholars from the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) lead the session, sharing insights of three unique professional development programs. The presentation highlights policy recommendations advocating lifelong professional learning and emphasizes professional development as a collaborative, critically reflective response to educators’ needs. Case studies include the T-REX Project, the Hypatia Programme and NEARI, each offering diverse, innovative and sustainable models of professional growth that contribute to the learning of educators, students and communities. Learning and recommendations from these initiatives, are applicable to global teacher professional development programs and educational contexts.

Sub Unit

• International Aligned Organizations / Educational Studies Association of Ireland - ESAI

Chair

• Aimie Brennan, Marino Institute of Education

Papers

• Designing a national digital platform to mediate teacher professional development through supporting the teacher as researcher - Tony Hall, University of Galway

• De-escalating the math anxiety stress- response. Professional Development of vocational teachers and their learners’ confidence in numeracy - Aideen Hunter, Ulster University; Shauna McGill, Ulster University

• Teachers as researchers: an alternative professional learning network - Máirín Glenn, Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI)

Discussant

• Aimie Brennan, Marino Institute of Education