Five new Teacher Fellows join DCU‘s Institute of Education

Dublin City University this week welcomed five new Teacher Fellows to support the next generation of teachers currently enrolled in the DCU Institute of Education’s primary and second-level teacher education courses. 

Over the coming two years, the fellowship will create the opportunity for the five experienced teachers to bring real-world classroom insight to teacher education programmes while also undertaking a programme of professional development. They join Pamela Ericson who began the two-year teacher fellowship in 2024 and is now in her second year of the programme.

The Teacher Fellows will work closely with academic staff and student teachers on various programmes across the Institute of Education. They will also support DCU students on school placements and as teachers-in-residence while supporting the University’s work of developing the 21^st century teacher identity.

Dean of the Institute of Education Professor Anne Looney said, ‘the classroom-experience these teachers bring to students studying at DCU is invaluable and I look forward to seeing the insight and innovation they will bring to their engagements with students and staff across the Institute of Education.’

The Teacher Fellows are:

• Claire Considine, originally from Doolin in Co. Clare, is an accomplished educator and guidance counsellor. She holds an undergraduate degree in English and Religious Studies from Mary Immaculate College, and a postgraduate diploma in education from the University of Galway. She also holds postgraduate qualifications in social policy from University College Cork, and in human development and spirituality from Marino Institute of Education. Claire also holds a certificate in cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents, and a master’s degree in guidance counselling from Dublin City University. Most recently, she was awarded the prestigious Women in Leadership Scholarship to pursue a professional diploma in positive health at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
• Pamela Ericson is a teacher fellow in the School of Language, Literacy, and Early Childhood Education. She has over 20 years’ experience running her own early years service providing for the care and education of children aged six months to six years. She worked for many years teaching early childhood studies in the adult education sector and is passionate about teaching and mentoring young children as well as advocating for children’s rights as citizens of our society. Pamela showcased her undergraduate research findings on promoting resilience for young children at the Early Years Conference in Croke Park. She is currently completing her master’s in early education in DCU.
• Niamh Fowler is a primary school teacher based in St. Mark’s Senior National School in Tallaght. She has over 23 years’ experience teaching in both mainstream and special educational settings. As an assistant principal, she has taken a leadership role across the school community in a variety of areas. She holds a first-class master’s in education from Maynooth University and a postgraduate diploma in special and inclusive education. Niamh has also worked in supporting teachers’ continuous professional development through her associate role with the Oide primary wellbeing team, and with student teachers in Maynooth University. Niamh is working with the DCU School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education as a teacher fellow and looks forward to pursuing a doctorate in education in the area of inclusive education.
• Barbara Grey completed her initial teacher education in DCU in 2009 and has since taught Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Science at post-primary level. For the past nine years, she has taught at Ballymakenny College, Co. Louth where she has held an assistant principal post. Barbara holds a master’s in mathematics for education and a postgraduate diploma in educational leadership from Maynooth University. For the past two years, she has worked as a part-time placement tutor with DCU. She is passionate about supporting student teachers on school placement and newly qualified teachers during their induction and looks forward to sharing her school experiences and supporting DCU students both in lectures and on school placement.
• Niamh Haughton joins the DCU School of Policy and Practice bringing almost two decades of experience in education. As well as an undergraduate degree in marketing, Niamh holds a first-class honours HDip in primary education, and a master’s degree in educational leadership. Niamh taught in a DEIS 1 primary school in Dublin for 13 years before moving to an Educate Together school for six years. She has mentored newly qualified primary school teachers as part of the Droichead professional induction framework and has contributed to the national special needs assistant training programme as a part-time tutor in UCD. Her teaching and research interests focus on playful and active pedagogical approaches that support engagement and inclusion for all learners.
• Aislinn Nic Pháidín, originally from Co. Kildare, is a graduate of Marino Institute of Education and currently teaches at Gaelscoil Átha Í, an Irish-medium DEIS primary school in Athy, Co. Kildare. She has also worked voluntarily with Irish NGO Nurture Africa and has spent two summers teaching in Uganda. Aislinn has led a range of innovative initiatives in her school including FIRST Lego League, the Irish World Aid Awards, and the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. In 2024, under her direction, the school won an all-Ireland title at the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. Aislinn joins the DCU School of Arts Education and Movement. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in specific learning difficulties.