11th December 2019
Zita Lysaght (DCU), Deirbhile Nic Craith (INTO Director of Education & Research), Siobhan Lynskey (INTO Education Committee Chair and principal of St Colmans NS, Tuam, Co. Galway) and Michael O’Leary (Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education, DCU) were awarded the John Coolahan bursary award research project ‘Developing Innovative, Research-Informed Professional Learning Materials to Guide Primary Teachers’ Individual and Collaborative use of Standardised Testing in Support of Pupils’ Learning’ in an event chaired by Seán MacMahon, former INTO President.
The John Coolahan Research Support Framework marks the immense contribution of Professor John Coolahan to the field of education at home and abroad. His work, life and energy are an inspiration for all who care about teaching, learning and research.
The Framework offers support to teachers and others conducting new research, or sharing, synthesising or applying existing research in their practice, either independently or in collaboration with others. The Framework forms a key part of the Council’s CROÍ Research Series (Collaboration and Research for Ongoing Innovation) which places a strong emphasis on research activities which strengthen the links between research, policy and practice, and on collaboration among teachers, and between teachers and other stakeholders in education.
The joint research publication on which this project is based, was also supported by Anastasios Karakolidis, Paula Lehane, Maeve McCafferty and Vasiliki Pitsia.
Other bursary recipients included:
Sinead Foley, a primary school teacher in St Laurence’s NS, Co. Wicklow. Sinead was awarded a bursary for her research ‘An Exploration of Teachers’ Experiences and Perceptions of Social and Emotional Health Promotion in Irish Primary Schools’.
Kathryn Corbett, a principal in Bishop Galvin NS, Templeogue. Dublin. Kathryn was awarded for her portfolio-based learning for teachers.
Peter Jennings, a principal of Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Rosbrien, Limerick. Working with colleagues from Mary Immaculate College, Peter was awarded a bursary for their project which investigated how school networks and collaboration operate to support DEIS schools.
Linda Dennehy, a teacher at Scoil Íosagáin, Mallow was awarded a bursary for her project ‘Initial Enrolment of Pupils with Autism in to Primary Education – How can school Leadership be Supported to Ensure a Positive and Professional Experience for Leader, Practitioner, Parent and Child’.
Several INTO members participated in a collaborative project, a Numeracy Exchange Conference to share learning from NAC-Net. Members involved included Noreen O’Dea and Siobhan Ryan from Cloverfield NS, Co. Limerick, Niamh O’Connor and Hilary Burke from Scoil Íde, Limerick City, Ann Breen and Timmy McGrath from St Marys NS, Limerick, Saoirse Hickey and Julie Moloney from Presentation Primary School, Limerick and Niamh Hegarty from Coláiste Muire, Ennis.
