The largest annual educational event in Ireland is set to take place in Galway next weekend.
The national FÉILTE event by the Teaching Council will begin on Friday 27 September and will be formally opened on Saturday morning by Minister Joe McHugh.
The event will be addressed by renowned international and Irish expert speakers and will provide a unique platform for teachers to share innovative teaching and learning and network with each other and the public.
The event is open both to teachers and the general public and will welcome over 800 delegates and attendees.
Two hundred teachers will have the exclusive opportunity to attend a riverside barbecue on Friday evening and share stories with the world renowned educationalist Professor Andy Hargreaves.
Opening performances will be provided by students of the new BA Music degree at NUI Galway on Saturday morning.
Andy Hargreaves will deliver an opening keynote address and will share insights in conversation with Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
FÉILTE will also host a showcase exhibition of 50 examples of excellence in teaching, along with interactive workshops and case studies of collaborative teaching engagements based around this year’s theme of “Education 360: Learning from Others”.
The 50 showcase examples have been chosen from over 150 applicants and are exemplary of the highest standards of excellence and professionalism in teaching practice.
This year saw the highest level of applications ever for the showcase exhibition at FÉILTE which is now in its seventh year.
Speaking about the event, Minister Joe McHugh said: “FÉILTE is one of the highlights of the academic year where it creates a forum to celebrate the professionalism, high standards and contribution of teachers to children, families, students and communities throughout Ireland.
“It also encapsulates the vision of the profession to continue evolving this contribution through collaborative sharing of best practice, research and experiences, which is of benefit to teachers at all stages of their careers, while also providing the public with a direct insight into the world of teaching.
“I look forward to attending and joining in the proceedings in Galway.”
Noelle Moran, Chairperson of The Teaching Council, said: “During the past year the Teaching Council has welcomed over 4,000 additional teachers onto its register, bringing to over 102,700 the number of teachers now registered in Ireland.
“This is a testament to continued commitment to teaching as a vocation and career and to the work of the Teaching Council in supporting and promoting the profession, whether that is through our popular FÉILTE event or our continuing professional development programmes which support teachers right from the start and throughout their professional careers.”
Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of The Teaching Council, added: “All of our activity is focused on upholding, enhancing and supporting standards in the teaching profession and this is most tangibly evident in the continuing success of FÉILTE.
“Collaboration and the sharing of insights provide an important theme for us this year where, by working and developing together, the profession will continue to evolve for the benefit not only of teachers but our entire society and country. We look forward to hosting this keynote national event at NUI Galway.”
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching.
