Last Friday 17th May Educate Together held it’s first Ethical Education Teachers of the Year Awards to affirm and celebrate the good practice in teaching the Ethical Education and Learn Together curriculums in Educate Together primary and second-level schools.
Awardees on the night included teachers from primary and second-level schools: Monkstown ETNS, Donabate/ Portrane ETNS, Cork ETSS, Stepaside ETSS, North Wicklow ETSS and Kishoge Community College. Teachers were nominated by members of their school communities who felt they had demonstrated a clear commitment to Ethical Education.
The awardees were commended for their work in supporting students to take action in Climate marches, leading Ethical Education planning in school, involving the whole school community and creating a guide to Living the Educate Together ethos.
The awardees were joined by colleagues, family and friends as well as guests from the Education sector to celebrate their achievements at a special Ethical Education Teachers of the Year Awards dinner in The Clarence Hotel.
Speaking about the importance of Ethical Education for Educate Together schools, Second-level Education Officer Laura Dooley said:
“The Ethical Education and Learn Together curriculums are a unique and important element of Educate Together schools. Ethical Education and the Learn Together support the principles of the Educate Together Charter ensuring students experience education that is rooted in the values of Democracy, Equality and Inclusion.”
Primary Education Officer, Fionnuala Ward added:
“Educate Together schools were the first in the state to teach Ethical Education. They forged new ground in teaching about and from world religions and belief systems. They recognised and acknowledged the wide diversity of family types in Irish society. They addressed LGBT rights and explored social justice issues such as homelessness and migration. And all with student voices and active citizenship at the heart of everyday practice.”
The awardees were presented with an Ethical Education Teachers of the Year Award 2019 trophy by Educate Together CEO Paul Rowe and Chairperson Jen Cummins.
AWARDEES
Primary
Jenny Stanley, Aimee Lawlor (Donabate/ Portrane ETNS)
Dolores O’Donnell, Deirdre Sheehan, Eimear Foxe, Caro Condon, Niamh McCann, Rachel Coughlan, Sarah Jackson (Monkstown ETNS)
Second-level
Ciara McMackin (Kishoge Community College)
School Climate Action Group: Sallie Ennis (Stepaside ETSS), Kate Minnock (North Wicklow ETSS), Jerrieann Sullivan, Benjamin Cochain, Paula McNamara, Angela Burke (all from Cork ETSS)
The Ethical Education Teachers of the Year Awards was just one event organised and run this year by the Education and Support team of the National Office to support the teaching of Ethical Education in Educate Together schools. A number of Continuous Professional Development events including cluster meetings, CPD days and teacher exchanges have been held throughout the year, made possible with the support of funding received from Salesforce.org. An Ethical Education Summer School for Educate Together teachers will also be held in August.
The Awards dinner, held in The Clarence Hotel was supported by funding received from Saleforce.org and also included a wine reception sponsored by Mason Hayes Curran.
