This session will focus on profiling the school leader at this point in the leadership journey, identifying the challenges inherent in the role, addressing the issues of independence and confidence, and naming the barriers to moving the school from effective practice into standards of highly effective practice as described in Looking at our Schools 2016.

 

Facilitator: Anna Mai Rooney

Anna Mai is originally from Ballymahon in Co. Longford. After graduating from St. Patrick’s College in Drumcondra in 1987, she taught in St. Patrick’s Loreto Primary School in Bray. On moving to Monaghan in 1992, Anna Mai taught in St. Patrick’s National School, Clara, in North Monaghan and in Scoil Mhuire, Gransha, Clones from 1994-2000. She became the Teaching Principal of Scoil Mhuire, Magherarney, Smithborough in 2000 where she remained until becoming Administrative Principal of St. Louis GNS in Monaghan town in 2008.

Anna Mai became the Deputy Director for Primary Schools in the newly-established Centre for School Leadership on September 1st 2015, and remains on secondment to this position. Dedicated to the value of continuous learning, Anna Mai completed a Masters in Educational Management in 2009 with the University of Ulster and was a part-time facilitator with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) from 2006 to 2015. She became a member of the IPPN Board of Directors in 2009. In her current position with CSL, Anna Mai works closely with IPPN as one of the partners in CSL and also represents IPPN on the Management Board of the Partnership Schools initiative with the National Parents’ Council Primary and the DES. She is currently a member of the DES Support Service Planning Group for the Digital Learning Framework.

 

Facilitator: Máire Ní Bhróithe

Máire was educated by the Loreto order, is a graduate of UCD and taught Gaeilge and Maths in schools in. Wicklow, Monaghan and Kildare from 1981 onwards. She was appointed the first Deputy Principal of St Peter’s College, Dunboyne Co. Meath in 1995, moved to Castlecomer Community School as Principal in 2002 and moved again in 2005 to become the founding Principal of Ratoath College in Co. Meath. 

In 2013 she became the Education and Leadership Officer of Louth Meath Education and Training Board. She is the chairperson of the board of management of the newly established Ballymackenny College in Drogheda, Co. Louth and has experience working in all three sectors at post-primary level. Máire is currently seconded to the Centre for School Leadership in the role of Deputy Director – Post Primary.

 

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