Acknowledging teacher professionalism in Ireland: the case for a Chartered Teacher initiative

Abstract

This paper presents an argument for the development of an Irish Chartered Teacher initiative which would acknowledge and accredit the professionalism of experienced and accomplished teachers. It begins by examining the current position of teaching as a profession based on findings from Irish and international research studies. Issues surrounding the accreditation of accomplished teachers are considered through the examination of a range of Chartered Teacher initiatives. Finally, the potential opportunities and challenges of accrediting teacher professionalism in Ireland are discussed with reference to the continuum of teacher education and recent developments introduced by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Keywords:

• teacher professionalism
• challenges and opportunities
• Chartered Teacher
• continuum of teacher education

Notes on contributors

Dr Raymond Lynch is a lecturer in Education and co-director of the Professional Master of Education (Technology) programme in the Department of Education and Professional Studies (EPS) at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Raymond's research interests are directed towards the enhancement of Teacher Education. Recent research has focused on examining the impact of varying task difficulty on student engagement and aligned learning outcomes.

Dr Jennifer Hennessy is a lecturer in Education in the Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick. She has worked in initial and continuing teacher education since 2007. Jennifer's research interests include pedagogy and performativity, curriculum development and student engagement.

Dr Jim Gleeson is Professor of Identity and Curriculum at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick. He has worked as a post-primary teacher and teacher educator and in curriculum development and evaluation and was a member of the Teaching Council of Ireland from 2005–2012.

Notes

1. For a breakdown of the questions and results from the TALIS report, please see Freeman, O'Malley, and Eveleigh (2010).