Teacher Talk with the INTO

We discuss the ins and outs of INTO Congress with guests Deirdre O’Connor, INTO Assistant General Secretary and INTO Intern, David Donagh! Whether you're a seasoned attendee or preparing for your first Congress, this episode has everything you need to know.What you’ll learn:• What is Congress? Why it’s a cornerstone of union decisions and the policies shaped there.• From idea to policy: Discover how motions are proposed, debated and voted on; and how they influence union policy.• Tips for first-timers: From understanding the process to standing at the podium with confidence, we've got you covered.

 Series 3 Episode 1 of Series of Teacher Talk with the INTO: ‘Getting to Grips with Your Career Break or Job Share’In this episode, we’re joined by Ashling Lynch, an Official at the INTO and Norah Daly, a teacher from Scoil Mhuire in Tullamore, Co Offaly, who took a career break to travel. Norah shares her personal journey of stepping away from the classroom on a career break and her transition back to teaching while Ashling explains how the different schemes work.What we’ll explore:· What exactly is a career break, and how can teachers apply?· Key dates and deadlines to keep in mind when considering a career break or job sharing.· Norah’s experience: From deciding to take a break to adjusting back into the teaching world.

In this episode of Teacher Talk with the INTO we will be discussing the General Election and its key issues for primary and special education, featuring INTO General Secretary John Boyle and INTO President Carmel Browne.  

In this episode, we’re exploring the INTO’s role in global advocacy with INTO General Secretary John Boyle and Sandra Corrigan, INTO Global Solidarity Officer. We’ll discuss the importance of strengthening international connections with unions across Europe and beyond, the global funding that supports this work, and the incredible contributions of INTO members on the ground. We’ll also look ahead to the future of international advocacy and how you can get involved in our upcoming initiatives.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Gene Mehigan, Vice President for Education and Strategic Development at Marino Institute of Education, Lisa Plunkett (Our Lady Immaculate SNS, Darndale), a former personal trainer who transitioned into primary teaching, and Brian MacCormaic (St. Maelruan's SNS, Tallaght), who made the switch from a 20-year career in construction to become a primary teacher. We explore the challenges and steps involved in becoming a teacher, from the financial burden to the workload and the journey to gaining those all-important qualifications. We’ll also explore the growing trend of professionals from other sectors moving into teaching and discuss what might be driving this shift.

Welcome to Series 2 of Teacher Talk with the INTO! In this first episode, we hear from Aoife Doyle, Deputy Principal of St. Colmcille’s JNS in Knocklyon, Dublin, and David Donagh who teaches in St. Colmcille’s SNS in Kells, is Chair of the Kells Branch and INTO Intern for 2024/25. They’ll be sharing valuable tips and insights to help you kick-start your teaching career on a positive note. We look at key areas for NQTs in their first months, including how to build strong relationships with pupils and parents, managing your workload efficiently, and staying organised. We’ll also dive into the importance of self-care - why taking time to 'fill your own cup' is crucial for maintaining motivation, preventing burnout, and creating happy, thriving classrooms. 

To conclude season 1 of Teacher Talk with the INTO, we will be talking about an issue the union has long campaigned on … Ireland’s supersized class sizes. Some 80% of our primary school classes are above the EU average of 20 pupils to one teacher, with 1 in 5 pupils learning in a supersized class of 30 or more.So, why are we still talking about class sizes? What are the consequences of supersized classes on children’s education? Feargal Brougham and Tracie Tobin consider these topical questions in this episode.

A union is only as strong as its membership and so today we will be talking about the different ways members can get involved with Kieran Killeen and Marie O’Shea.Whether it’s lending a hand to our campaigns, raising your voice on issues that matter to you, sharing insights into what’s happening in education or simply helping to make our union stronger, member involvement in INTO is crucial to protect and augment the teaching profession.

Today we will be discussing our campaign to secure paid reproductive health leave for our members. In recent years, we have heard heart breaking stories of our members experiences with pregnancy loss and other reproductive challenges. Maeve McCafferty, INTO shares details about the union’s campaign, while Marita Hennessy, UCC speaks about new research from UCC on pregnancy loss in the workplace.