Pictured attending the launch of the 2018 Féilte Conference in MIC are (L-R): Tomas Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council; President Michael D Higgins; Mrs Sabine Higgins; Ms Noelle Moran, Chairperson of the Teaching Council and Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC.
President Michael D Higgins was in Mary Immaculate College last weekend to open the annual Féílte Conference. Up to 1,000 teachers, parents, students and others involved in education flocked to MIC to attend the Teaching Council’s annual celebration which was held outside of Dublin for the first time in its history.
Féilte celebrates learning and teaching excellence, with attendees discussing the work that teachers do on a daily basis in their classrooms all around the country. The two-day-event also gives teachers the opportunity to network and collaborate with their fellow colleagues and share their experiences with the wider public. Exhibitors showcased what is new in education and in the 21st century classroom, in innovation, technology, diversity and wellness in the teaching profession.
Launching the festival President Michael D Higgins said it was important to recognise how creative thinking is a powerful and vital force in the creation of a truly functioning society.
He said: "As we look to the future of education in this country, at primary, secondary and third level, it is critical that we educate our children and students in ways that will enable them to think and question, to challenge the status quo, to place humanity and solidarity at the heart of all they do."
Continuing President Higgins applauded the passion of teachers for re-shaping the ways in which lifelong learning is imagined and the work of the Teaching Council for acknowledging that passion. He highlighted the importance of disseminating good ideas throughout the teaching profession and added that while there were definite benefits to online learning, “we must not lose sight of the importance of direct contact between teachers and students” and also noted that “teachers are instruments for change...not targets for change”.
During his visit to the College President Higgins, who was accompanied by his wife Sabine, met MIC students on the B Ed, Post Primary Education and BA programmes at Mary Immaculate College.
Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC, expressed his delight that Féilte had chosen MIC to be the host venue for the conference on its first outing outside of Dublin.
He said: “the theme for FÉILTE this year is 'Life-long Learning: Making a Difference!' This is an idea that resonates very closely with us here at MIC; both our Mission Statement and our Strategic Plan contain an entreaty to our staff and students to ‘make a difference’ through their own learning experiences and to be of service to others, particularly through the medium of education.”
The Director of the Teaching Council Tomas Ó Rúairc said: "Féilte gives us a wonderful opportunity as a profession to listen, share ideas and celebrate the work that is being done every day in our classrooms."
Speakers at the event included Davy Fitzgerald, manager of the Wexford Senior Hurling team, Senator Lynn Ruane who took part in a panel discussion entitled “Education: Pedagogy of the Oppressed or Pathway to Freedom?” and academic and broadcaster Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
