Teacher Talk with the INTO

Standardised Testing in Irish Education

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:00:00 GMT

INTO’s Máirín Máirín Ní Chéileachair speaks with the Educational Research Centre’s (ERC) Rachel Cunningham and Dr Aidan Clerkin.

We talk about how standardised tests are created, setting accurate norms and the vital partnership with schools that makes this possible and why they must be regularly revised to stay aligned with curriculum changes.

Rachel Cunningham is a research fellow leading test development in literacy, numeracy and spelling at ERC.
Dr Aidan Clerkin is also a research fellow, who oversees Ireland’s participation in TIMSS and is co editor of the Irish Journal of Education, with international research experience across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

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Is the teaching landscape really diverse?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:00:00 GMT

INTO’s Maeve McCafferty discusses the barriers faced entering and staying in primary teaching in Ireland and the importance of diverse representation in the classroom.

Kathleen Murphy is a primary school teacher and a proud member of the Irish Traveller community. Kathleen is committed to inclusion, representation and human rights.

Seyi Agbede is also a primary school teacher beginning his teaching journey in Nigeria. Seyi relocated to Ireland in 2021 and has since continued to shape the education sector through both teaching and advocacy.

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The Digital Dilemma: Cybersafety & Mobile Phone Use in Schools

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 GMT

INTO’s David Geary talks to Jane McGarrigle (Webwise National Coordinator) and Ciara McGuane (Founder, Rahoo) about online safety, media literacy, CPD, supports and campaigns to protect children from online risks.

Tune in to hear:

📱 Online dangers

📱 Practical tips and support for teachers and parents in understanding online risks

📱 The need for tougher regulation

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Pride in Progress: 20 Years of the INTO LGBT+ Teachers’ Group

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Teacher Talk with the INTO, we mark two decades of the INTO LGBT+ Teachers’ Group, a community built on resilience, representation, and change.

Join us as we discuss:

The origins of the LGBT+ Teachers’ Group
Key Irish legislation in policy and advocacy
Ongoing challenges for LGBT+ teachers
How to be an ally to LGBT+ teachers

Hear firsthand from two members about the group's impact on the LGBT+ community in education.

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Empowering Minds: Celebrating Special Needs Education

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

New Series of Teacher Talk with the INTO! Join us as we chat with Caroline Brougham from Glasnevin Educate Together and Máirín Ní Chéileachair, INTO Assistant General Secretary of Education, celebrating the power of special education.

Key highlights:

Caroline shares her journey into special education and the challenges in fostering an inclusive classroom.
Máirín discusses staffing improvements and the rise of special classes.
Practical advice for how you promote the ethos of inclusion among teachers, pupils, parents and the wider school community
And how schools have evolved in terms of inclusion over the years.

A timely discussion shedding light on the provision of special education.

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Congress 101: Everything you need to know

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

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.

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Getting to Grips with Your Career Break or Job Share

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

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.

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General Election 2024: Key issues for primary and special education

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:04:33 GMT

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.

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INTO’s Global Impact – A Retrospective

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:59:35 GMT

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.

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From Other Professions to Teaching – Making the Leap

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 06:59:31 GMT

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.

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Starting Strong – Essential Tips for Your First Year of Teaching

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:59:03 GMT

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.

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Why are we talking about class sizes?

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:45:19 GMT

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.

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Becoming an active member

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 06:45:55 GMT

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.

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Fighting for reproductive health leave

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:45:28 GMT

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.

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Getting to grips with your pension for younger members

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 06:45:57 GMT

In this episode we will be talking about arguably one of the most important financial plans anyone will ever make – your pension. Evidence suggests many don’t feel they know enough about pension schemes or their own entitlements and report difficulty understanding the technical jargon used.

Deirdre O’Connor, INTO and Stephen Gibney, Cornmarket break this down for listeners and encourage them to consider their long-term pension plan.

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Life as a teacher with a disability

Tue, 28 May 2024 06:45:19 GMT

Sitting down with two disability advocates and teachers, Patrick Hickey and Leesa Flynn, we hear firsthand their experiences of initial teacher education and life now as practising teachers.

How can we make our schools more inclusive? Have we evolved as a society and how do we view disability? Tune in to find out!

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The teacher supply crisis

Tue, 21 May 2024 06:45:27 GMT

Schools continue to grapple with the ongoing staffing crisis nationwide, with principals scrambling to fill vacant teaching posts to ensure a quality education is provided to pupils.

In this episode, John Boyle and Máirín Ní Chéileachair consider how can we turn the tide on staffing and ensure all children have access to a qualified teacher each and every day.

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The voice of teachers abroad

Tue, 14 May 2024 08:21:36 GMT

In this episode, we ditch the headlines and chat directly with two educators, Ella Murray Golden and Marie Magner, who took the leap and moved overseas to work.

Is the grass really greener on the other side? More importantly, what would it take for them to return home?

Ella and Marie share their honest account into life abroad and cover topics including teacher wellbeing, professional development, and international education systems.

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