Teachers Inspire shortlist highlights role of teachers in addressing societal challenges. DCU announced 20 teachers shortlisted from over 400 entries received this year.
The initiative, which is focused on highlighting the enormous contribution made by teachers in Irish society, was launched by DCU earlier this year, with the support of businessman and philanthropist, Dermot Desmond.
Earlier this year, DCU called for members of the public to share their personal stories of how a teacher transformed their lives and / or their community. The 20 teachers announced today – five from each province – have been shortlisted from over 400 entries received from every corner of Ireland.
None of the teachers knew they were nominated in advance.
Announcing the shortlist, Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, said:
“The entries submitted to Teachers Inspire Ireland demonstrate just how significant a role teachers play in Irish life.
The nominations highlighted teachers dealing with issues such as homelessness, mental health, immigration, unplanned pregnancies, gender identity support, community regeneration, and climate change. They were submitted by schoolchildren, parents, and people whose schooldays are long behind them but who remember their teachers with great fondness and gratitude.
What is abundantly clear from the nominations received is the extent to which so many teachers go above and beyond their ‘job description’. It was extraordinarily difficult to select a shortlist of 20 from all the amazing stories we received. However, the 20 teachers being celebrated today have had truly lasting and transformative impacts on the lives of their students and on their wider communities.”
Donal Enright, a business teacher, in Desmond College, was nominated by former student, Jack O’Connor, for his work in coaching students for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition; and for his promotion of an entrepreneurial and humanitarian spirit amongst his students.
Both staff and students in Desmond College, a school under the auspices of Limerick & Clare ETB, are so proud that one of their own has been recognised in this way.
