Dr Treasa Bowe is a primary school teacher from Cork with over 20 years teaching experience - 17 years in Scoil Oilibhéir, Cork and the last three years teaching in Endeavor College Prep, Los Angeles, California. Across her career, Treasa has had keen and special interest in the area of literacy with her Masters research centred on Comprehension Strategy Instruction (CSI). Treasa was a pivotal member of the team that developed the highly regarded comprehension programme Building Bridges of Understanding (Mary Immaculate College, 2009). Treasa’s PhD research focused on the role of on-site continuing professional developing in promoting a whole school approach to CSI. More recently in 2020 Treasa has become better known to educators on both sides of the Atlantic Instagram as @betweenthecoversofagoodbook, where she shares her extensive knowledge about literacy and picture books on a daily basis.

 Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Clara is a lecturer in initial teacher education and early childhood education, having taught for 10 years in a DEIS primary school.

She runs the Little Miss Teacher blog as well as The Literacy Channel on YouTube. She's a PhD candidate at Trinity College, Dublin and is currently researching language and literacy development in the early years.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

From the age of six, Jackie Morris wanted to be an artist. Her very first children's book was Jo’s Storm, and since then, she has authored and illustrated many, many more. I came across Jackie first as an illustrator when my son was given a beautiful gift of The Lost Spells.

There's something incredibly magical and captivating about Jackie's work. So I went in search of more. I bought Mrs Noah's Pockets and Mrs Noah's Garden which were written by Jackie and now I'm hooked. She speaks all about her books and how best they can be used in the classroom.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Guests: Donna Cutler-Landsman & Anne Lawlor

Donna Cutler-Landsman and Anne Lawlor speak with us about 22q and how to raise awareness about this rare disease.

Bio:

Donna Cutler-Landsman received her bachelor's degree in education and went on to receive a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She has over 35 years of classroom experience and has been working as an educational consultant and speaker since 1999. The focus of Donna's practice is securing needed services for children with complex exceptional educational needs. Her primary emphasis is complicated medical challenges and genetic syndromes including the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. She has been assisting schools and parents with understanding this syndrome across the United States and abroad for over 20 years. Donna has presented on educational issues at well over 40 conferences worldwide and is the author of several books and articles on the subject.  The 3rd editions of her book, Educating Children with Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome (also known as 22q11.2 deletion and DiGeorge) is due for publication late 2019.

Bio:

Anne Lawlor is one of the founding members of the 22q11 Ireland Support Group. The group, set up in 2007, supports Irish families affected by 22q deletion syndrome. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is caused by small missing piece on the ‘q’ arm of the 22nd chromosome. Children born with 22qDS have complex medical, educational and social care needs over the life-span. Varying effects from the deletion range from congenital heart defects to speech and language problems. Many children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome have learning disabilities and mental health issues. Dedicated to raising awareness for this poorly understood and under-recognised condition Anne completed a Masters in Management of Community and Voluntary groups and works with 22q11and works with 22q11 Ireland to develop integration across health & social care and education domains.

Guest: Daniel Twomey 

Daniel speaks with us about his time as a teacher, well-being in the classroom, his research and the core 4.

Daniel Twomey a post primary Physical Education teacher, personal trainer, academic and entrepreneur, skilled in coaching, researching and public speaking. He is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy focused on Physical Activity and Positive Mental Health from Trinity College Dublin.  

Guest: Conor Mc Guckin

Conor Mc Guckin speaks with us about the cyber aspect of bullying and highlights how it has added a challenging dimension to school classrooms. Conor says that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution but that there are supports available for teachers and schools.

Bio:

Prof. Conor Mc Guckin is a Chartered Psychologist based in the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin. His research interests are in the area of psychology applied to educational policy and processes, educational psychology, bully/victim problems among children and adults, and rare diseases such as 22q.11 deletion syndrome.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Guest: Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny speaks with about how education has changed since he did his Leaving Certificate almost 50 years ago in Co. Mayo and how we can adapt to those changes to provide hope and optimism.

Bio:

Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017. He has been Leader of Fine Gael Minister for Defence, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Tourism and Trade and Minister of State for Youth Affairs. However, many may not be aware that Enda spent four years working as a primary school teacher.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Guest: Marita Kerin

Marita Kerin shares with us about how her grandmother was a great inspiration to her, how to create a toolkit of music resources, and the literature that inspires her.

Bio:

Marita Kerin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. Marita is also a qualified primary school teacher.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Guest: Tomás Ó Ruairc

Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, tells us about the ways the teachers he met inspired him and set him on the educational path that shaped his career.

Bio:

Tomás started his career teaching Irish and history at Athlone Community College. He was head of the Irish Department in Froebel College of Education from 2000 for five years and Education Programme Manager at Foras na Gaeilge before becoming Deputy CEO in 2007. He held the post of chair of Meitheal Chinnireachta (Leadership Forum) and of the Network for the Promotion of Linguistic Diversity and sat on the Council of the NCCA from 2006-2009. In 2009, Tomás became a Director in the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht before taking on his current role as Director of the Teaching Council in 2012.

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com