| WHAT WE DO |
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The PDST is the country’s largest single support service offering professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas.
The PDST was established in September 2010 as a generic, integrated and cross-sectoral support service for schools. The establishment of the organisation was synonymous with the amalgamation and restructuring of a number of stand-alone services which now operate under the PDST providing their services to schools in the context of PDST’s overall vision and mission.
Our mission is to support teachers as reflective practitioners by providing a range of professional development opportunities and supports that enable teacher learning, collaboration and evidence-based practice with an emphasis on:
- curriculum and pedagogy
- learning and teaching methodologies
- school improvement and school self-evaluation
- school leadership, culture and leading learning
- pupil/student and teacher welfare
- information and communications technology
The overall goal for the PDST is to be widely acknowledged as an innovative, responsive and trusted provider of continuing professional development and support for teachers and schools.
| WHO WE ARE |
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The PDST provides continuing professional development and support through its team of teachers, primary and post-primary, seconded from their schools to work with the PDST.
Our Technology in Education team brings technical and pedagogical knowledge and skills to the organisation to provide a wide array of supports for schools - see pdsttechnologyineducation.ie.
| MANAGEMENT TEAM | PDST ADVISORS | PDST Technology in Education |
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| THE MANAGEMENT TEAM |
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| Senior Management |
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Nuala Taaffe National Director |
Nuala is a primary school principal on secondment from St. Joseph’s NS in Killenummery, Co. Leitrim, where she worked as a teaching principal for ten years. Initially, Nuala was seconded to the PDST as a Leadership Advisor. She was then appointed to the role of Team Leader of the Leadership Team. She coordinated continuous professional development opportunities for school leaders in both the primary and post primary sectors. Following this, Nuala took over the role of Deputy Director for Policy, Research and Design, wherein she had responsibility for cross-sectoral CPD design. She also led and supported the work of the PDST Research Committee. Nuala was appointed National Director of the service in February, 2022. |
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Anthony Kilcoyne Deputy Director Digital Technologies |
Anthony is a post-primary teacher on secondment from Archbishop McHale College, Tuam. As an advisor with the PDST, Anthony supported schools in focusing on the improvement of teaching and learning across the curriculum, through literacy and numeracy, school self-evaluation, programme, DEIS and technology integration supports. Anthony was appointed to the role of Team Leader for PDST School Leadership where he coordinated professional development opportunities for current and aspiring school leaders, to include school self-evaluation. Following this, he was appointed to the position of Deputy Director for digital technologies. |
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Orla McKiernan Deputy Director Operations and Service Cohesion |
Orla is a primary teacher on secondment from St. Mary’s N.S. in Tallaght where she taught as a classroom and resource teacher. Orla joined the PDST as a Numeracy advisor supporting teachers in the implementation of the primary mathematics curriculum, promoting an instructional approach to developing mathematical thinking and assisting schools with the school self-evaluation process for Numeracy. Orla was appointed to the role of Team Leader for Primary Mathematics before being appointed Deputy Director for Operations and Service Cohesion. |
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Michael McNamara Deputy Director Policy, Research and Design |
Michael is a primary school teacher seconded from Cregmore National School, Galway, where he worked as a mainstream class teacher. He initially joined the PDST as an advisor on the Digital Technologies Team where he supported schools to effectively embed digital technologies into teaching, learning and assessment practices. Michael was subsequently appointed to the role of Team Leader for Digital Technologies (Primary & Post-Primary) where he coordinated professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders within the key areas of digital technologies, digital planning and digital framework implementation. Following this, Michael was appointed to the position of Deputy Director for Policy, Research and Design. |
| Team Leaders |
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Team Leaders support Senior Management in co-ordinating the work of the PDST, manage a team of advisors, associates and local facilitators, which includes designing, planning, scheduling, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating professional development programmes within their remit. Team Leaders are responsible for an area of national priority. Our team leaders and their areas of responsibility are as follows:
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Helen Van Eesbeck Team Leader STEM Subjects |
Helen is a post-primary teacher of Agricultural Science, Biology, Junior Science & Maths and is currently on secondment St. Killian’s College, New Inn, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Helen worked as an Agricultural Science Associate before being seconded to the PDST Post Primary STEM team. As an Advisor, her core work has involved the design, development and delivery of a two-year programme of CPD for teachers of the new Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science specification. This involved working with teachers from all over the country. Helen was then appointed as Post Primary STEM Team Leader and has responsibility for Leaving Certificate Computer Science, Agricultural Science, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. |
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Rory Collins Team Leader Primary Literacy |
Rory is a primary school teacher on secondment from Ogonnelloe National School, Co. Clare, where he worked as a mainstream teacher in a multi-grade setting. He joined the PDST Literacy team as an advisor on this team and primarily supported teachers with the implementation of the Primary Language Curriculum and assisted schools with the school self-evaluation process. He was also involved in the design of workshops and materials to support literacy instruction. Rory then became the Acting Team Leader for Primary Literacy, after which he was appointed as the Team Leader for Primary Literacy. |
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Shane Leonard Team Leader Primary Languages |
Shane is a primary school teacher seconded from St. Peter's NS, Monasterevin Co Kildare where he worked as a mainstream class teacher. He has a strong interest in the area of Language and Literacy and was initally seconded to the PDST as an advisor for the Primary Language Curriculum Team and is now Team Leader. His role was to facilitate and support schools in the implementation of the Primary Language Curriculum/Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile through seminar delivery as well as in school support. |
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Lisa Noone Team Leader Health and Wellbeing |
Lisa is a Primary Teacher seconded from Mercy Primary School in Sligo where she worked as a mainstream class teacher. Lisa joined the PDST Health & Wellbeing Team and as an Advisor on this team and worked extensively on workshop and seminar design and delivery as well as school-based support across the curricular area of SPHE. Lisa was subsequently appointed as Team Leader for the cross-curricular areas of SPHE and PE at Primary level and then as Team Leader for the cross-curricular areas of SPHE and PE at Post Primary level. |
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Ciara Delaney Team Leader Health and Wellbeing |
Ciara is a primary school teacher seconded from Attyrory National School, Co. Roscommon, where she worked as a Mainstream Class Teacher with Special Duties. Ciara joined the PDST as a Health and Wellbeing Advisor, providing support in the areas of Teacher Wellbeing, Children's Wellbeing, Physical Education (PE), Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and the revised Stay Safe programme. Core elements of Ciara's role within the team was the design and development of the Move Well, Move Often Physical Literacy Resource for Primary Schools and the Introduction to Teacher Wellbeing workshops. Following this, Ciara was appointed to the role of Team Leader for the Primary Health and Wellbeing Team. |
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Niall Larkin Team Leader Digital Technologies |
Niall is a primary school teacher seconded from Durrow National School, Tullamore, where he has experience working as a mainstream class teacher and a Special Education Teacher. He joined the PDST Digital Technologies Team and as an advisor on this team, Niall's role primarily encompassed working with teachers to effectively embed digital technologies into their practice to support and enhance teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom. Subsequently, Niall was appointed to the role of Team Leader for Digital Technologies (Primary & Post-Primary). |
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Jason Cotter Team Leader Politics & Society, LCA, LCVP, Economics and Senior Cycle Business Subjects |
Jason is a post-primary teacher on secondment from Presentation College Athenry in Galway, where he taught the Business subjects, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Programme . He has extensive professional experience across the business and education sectors. Jason joined the PDST as an Advisor, providing a range of supports to teachers, primarily across the Post-Primary Subjects and Programmes team. He has worked extensively on the design and delivery of professional development supports for the revised Leaving Certificate Applied Module Specifications. Subsequently, Jason was appointed to the role of Team Leader for Politics and Society, LCA, LCVP, Economics and Senior Cycle Business subjects. |
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Angela Dwane Team Leader Post-Primary Mathematics, Applied Maths & T4 |
Angela is a post-primary teacher on secondment from Woodbrook College in Bray, Co. Wicklow, where she taught Maths and ICT. Angela joined PDST as an advisor on the Maths team, designing and facilitating a range of professional development supports including the PDST Spatial Thinking Pilot Programme. She also worked as an Applied Maths advisor on the design and delivery of professional development supports for teachers of the new Leaving Certificate Applied Maths Specification. Angela was subsequently appointed to the role of team Leader for Maths, Applied Maths, T4 subjects and Physics. |
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Mona Metcalfe Team leader MFL, Home Economics, SC English, Cultural & Environmental Subjects & JCSP |
Mona is on secondment from Beech Hill College, Monaghan, where she taught French and IT. She has a wide range of experience and expertise in the area of learning and teaching as well as in the use of digital technologies in education. She was employed as the Web Manager of French.ie (Scoilnet) and developed the pedagogical design of Language Quests at The European Centre for Modern Languages in Graz. She has also worked for The Education Department of The University of Limerick as a Teaching Practice Tutor for student teachers. Mona has facilitated workshops and presented at conferences for The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) in the USA and the French Teachers’ Association (FTA) here in Ireland on the use of language web-portals, avatars as a teaching tool and language quests. Coupled with this, she has collaborated with the NCCA on the use of digital tools in the language classroom. Having worked as a local facilitator for PDST, she was appointed to the role of Team Leader for MFL, Home Economics, SC English, Cultural and Environmental subjects and JCSP. |
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Caoimhe McLaughlin Team Leader CPD, Research & Design |
Caoimhe is a primary school teacher on secondment from Holy Trinity School in Mervue, Galway. Caoimhe was initially seconded to the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) as a visual arts cuiditheoir. Caoimhe worked with both PCSP and PPDS on the revised curriculum across various subjects including Drama, Music, English, Maths and Learning Support. She also supported schools with organisational planning, EAL and assessment. She then returned to school, working in both mainstream and SEN. During this time Caoimhe continued to work in teacher CPD through provision of courses through ATECI and her work as both a mentor and facilitator with NIPT. She was then seconded to the PDST as a literacy advisor supporting schools with self-evaluation, curriculum and planning. Most recently, her work with schools has been in supporting the implementation of the the new Primary Language Curriculum. Caoimhe was appointed as team leader for CPD, Research and Design.
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Bernard McHale Team Leader Leadership |
Bernard McHale is a primary school principal on secondment from Clonberne Central School in Galway. He worked as a class teacher in Holy Rosary Primary School, Ballycragh, Firhouse, as Principal of Corgary N.S. and for four years Deputy Principal of ESF Bauhinia School in Hong Kong. He also worked as Principal of Ábalta Special School in Galway. Bernard has worked in curriculum development and design and in initial teacher education. He worked as a part time associate with Leadership Development for Schools (LDS) and with PDST, working on the Forbairt and Misneach programmes. He joined PDST as a full time advisor with the Leadership Team and after two years as a Research Associate with the Teaching Council, Bernard was appointed as Team Leader for the PDST Leadership Team. |
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Darren Murphy Team Leader Design, DEIS & JCSP |
Darren is on secondment from Beneavin De La Salle College in Finglas, Co. Dublin where he taught Maths and Physics. Darren first joined PDST as an associate on the Maths facilitating Lesson Study. Following on from this, joined PDST as an advisor on the Maths team. While on the Maths team, Darren was involved in extensive workshop design and delivery, sustained school-based support, and resource development. Darren was subsequently appointed Team Leader for DEIS, JCSP and CPD Design. |
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Team Leader Primary STEM |
Realtín is a primary school teacher on secondment from St. Joseph’s Junior National School in Tullamore. Realtín taught mainstream, multi-grade and served as a Language Support teacher prior to being seconded to the PDST. As a PDST Advisor, Realtín supported schools by focusing on the improvement of teaching and learning in numeracy through team teaching, school self-evaluation, and the integration of digital technologies. Realtín was appointed to the role of Team Leader for Primary Numeracy and then became the Team Leader for Primary STEM. She now leads and manages the design and delivery of professional development opportunities in Mathematics, Science and Inclusion through Team Teaching. |
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David Brennan Team Leader Project Coordinator |
David is seconded from St. Conleth's National School, Galway. He initially joined the PDST as an advisor on the Digital Technologies Team where he supported schools to effectively embed digital technologies into teaching, learning and assessment practices. Since then he has moved into the role of National Small Schools Project Coordinator. This innovative project aims to encourage small primary schools to cluster together in local groups, enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions. His role also encompases Team Leader for Classical Studies and Classical Languages and involves the scoping, designing, development and delivery of new CPD materials for these Senior Cycle Reform subjects. |
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Melissa Campbell Team Leader Guidance & TY |
Melissa is on secondment from Gaelscoil Lorgan in County Monaghan. Melissa has taught at both primary and post-primary level, and has wide-ranging professional experience across the finance, education and youth work sectors. Melissa joined the PDST as an advisor, working with both the Primary Language team and Foireann na Gaeilge in supporting teachers and school leaders through contextualised school support. Melissa was appointed to the role of (acting) Team Leader for Primary Languages before subsequently being appointed to the role as Team Leader for Guidance and TY. |
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Róisín McGovern Team Leader Operations & Service Cohesion |
Róisín is a primary school teacher seconded from Dunboyne Junior Primary School in Co. Meath where she taught as a mainstream class teacher. Róisín joined the PDST as a Primary STEM advisor supporting teachers in the areas of Mathematics, Science and Inclusion through Team Teaching. She was also involved in the design of workshops and materials to support Mathematics and Science teaching and learning. Róisín was subsequently appointed Team Leader for Operations and Service Cohesion. |
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Kate O'Neill Acting Team Leader Primary Health & Wellbeing |
Kate is a primary school teacher seconded from Scoil Naomh Eoin, Co. Meath, where she has experience as a mainstream class teacher, special education teacher and Home School Community Liaison Coordinator. Kate joined the PDST as a Health and Wellbeing Advisor providing support in the areas of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), Teacher Wellbeing, Restorative Practices, Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and the revised Stay Safe programme. Kate has worked extensively on seminar and workshop design and delivery as well as school based support. Core elements of Kate's work within the team was the design and development of Wellbeing in Education seminars and supports and Relationships and Sexuality Education Summer Course. Kate was appointed to the role of Acting Team Leader for the Primary Health and Wellbeing Team. |
Realt
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Seosamh Mac an Iomaire Ceannaire Foirne Gaeilge |
Is múinteoir bunscoile é Seosamh atá ar iasacht ó Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Gaillimh. Thosaigh sé leis an gClár Tacaíochta don Churaclam Bunscoile (PCSP) i 2006 mar chuiditheoir Gaeilge agus chuaigh sé ar aghaidh ag obair mar chuiditheoir Gaeilge / Tús Maith leis An tSeirbhís um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil do Bhunscoileanna (PPDS) ina dhiaidh sin. D'oibrigh Seosamh mar Chomhairleoir Uimhearthachta don tSeirbhís Um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil do Mhúinteoirí (PDST) le roinnt mhaith bliainta anuas. Tá Seosamh ag obair anois mar Ceannaire Foirne don Ghaeilge. |
