Is Donegal home to some of the most inspiring teachers in Ireland? A new national initiative, Teachers Inspire, is aiming to find out.
Teachers Inspire Ireland is an initiative of Dublin City University, focused on highlighting the enormous contribution made by teachers in Irish society.
It is now open for people in Donegal and across the country to share their personal stories of how a teacher transformed their lives and/or their community.
Stories can be submitted through the teachersinspire.ie website, and can be in either written or video format. The closing date for submissions is 30th June.
After the closing date, a shortlist of the most compelling stories will be selected and profiled on the website.
The initiative will then culminate in the inaugural Teachers Inspire Ireland gala dinner on 27th September, at which teachers from across the country (one from each province) will be acknowledged and celebrated.
As he launched Teachers Inspire, Donegal North-East TD and Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, said: “I welcome the development of this initiative, which acknowledges the pivotal contribution of teachers to our society.
“Throughout Ireland, teachers go above and beyond to give their students the best possible learning experience. They not only teach, they motivate, encourage and inspire.”
The President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, said: “Teachers Inspire wants to hear from Donegal people about teachers who have inspired excellence, passion, imagination, creativity, compassion and courage.”
He also said that “DCU is delighted to play a central role in the development of Teachers Inspire Ireland. This is a significant national initiative that recognises the incredible work of so many teachers in changing lives and advancing communities.”
To submit your story to Teachers Inspire, go to teachersinspire.ie.
Cliodhna Halpin, Junior Infant Learning Support Teacher with 4th class pupils Max Maples and Leannah McCarthy and Professor Brian MacCraith, President of Dublin City University.
