More discussion with Iris from Ireland

During the time I have spent communicating with my contact from Ireland, I have learned that the challenges and aspirations are basically the same in Ireland as they are here in the States. Iris says that securing adequate funding and qualified staff has consistently been two of the main issues in the early childhood field in Ireland.

When discussing our dreams and aspirations with each other, we both want to remain in the education field. My dream job is to be an educational consultant. Iris' dream is to own a preschool program. She stated that she has considered continuing her education to gain the Ph.D. in Education. For me, I am not sure that I want to continue past the Master's degree.

Just as I struggle with funding my education, so does Iris. The idea on taking on more student loans frightens me. Iris talked about a Teaching Council with which all teachers in Ireland with must register. According to Iris, "The Teaching Council promotes and develops teaching as a profession at primary and post-primary levels. It provides a forum for presenting the views of the profession on all aspects of the teaching career from initial recruitment to in-career professional development. As the regulatory body for teachers in Ireland, the Teaching Council produces a code of professional conduct for teachers, which covers standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence. It also maintains a register of all teachers who teach in recognized schools in Ireland." This information was found on the citizen's information website. To become fully registered with the Teaching Council in Ireland, graduates must complete 300 hours of teaching practice within three years of graduating.

There is also a Department of Education and Skills in Ireland. She referred me to a website that gave great information about the requirements for teachers in Ireland. According to citizen information website, a teacher must have the following:

"Primary school teachers must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged 4 to 12 years. To qualify as a primary school teacher, you must have completed one of the following:

A recognized 3-year full-time program, leading to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree
A recognized Graduate/Higher Diploma in Education (Primary) combined with a primary degree at level 8 or a level 9 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications" (www.citizensinformation.ie).

According to Iris, the available jobs for teachers in Ireland are a bit slim for new young teachers attempting to enter the field. She said that many of the new teachers are looking outside the country to secure employment. She said that many of them were going to England for jobs. Our own country is in a teacher shortage right now.



References:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/primary_and_post_primary_education/teachers_and_schools/teacher_qualifications_at_primary_and_post_primary_level.html