For many former students, teachers – the subject of this week’s career memes – are among the first people who encouraged or inspired them to pursue a certain career path.
In fact, 7pc of 14-25-year-old respondents to a recent Think Big survey cited a teacher or a lecturer as the most inspirational person in their lives.
Teaching can be a challenging and rewarding career, helping to shape future scientists, engineers, and astronauts, for example. Sometimes, teachers need support, too, so they can continue to guide and encourage their students towards success.
One action the Irish Government has undertaken to help teachers is providing €2m in funding to a programme geared toward improving the skills of ‘out-of-field’ maths teachers at post-primary level.
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, TD, had said that in addition to the funding, the Government is making the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching course available free of charge in locations across Ireland, with specific provision for teachers in Irish-medium schools.