News Panel Discussion on the Diversity in Teaching as part of Traveller Ethnicity Day

On 1^st March, we celebrated Traveller Ethnicity Day in NUI Galway with a series of high-profile virtual events providing insights into Traveller culture, history and social issues.  Among the speakers were Minister Simon Harris and Senator Eileen Flynn.  Well done to our recent PME graduate Owen Ward who worked with the Access Office on the organisation of the Day.

Owen also organised a panel session focusing on Diversity in the Teaching Profession, with panellists Josephine Walsh (NUIG Career Development Centre), Dr Manuela Heinz and Rachel Konisberry (School of Education), Joseph Nyirenda (Access Office), Brian Fahy (Teaching Council) and Denise Frawley (Higher Education Authority).

During the session, research findings from the Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) National Study (PIs: Drs Manuela Heinz and Elaine Keane), the rationale for a diverse teaching profession, and experiences of teachers from non-traditional and minority backgrounds were shared and discussed.

Panellists also provided information about the Higher Education Authority’s Programme of Access to Higher Education - PATH 1 Strand focusing on the diversification of the teaching profession in Ireland.