At MU Department of Education we are fortunate to have an team of committed and highly-skilled Occasional Lecturers, University Tutors and Placement Tutors who deliver invaluable inputs across our suite of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes.
Maynooth University Department of Education
TogglePeter Hussey
Peter Hussey teaches and researches in the area of embodied learning. He draws on his experience as a theatre-maker with Crooked House Theatre Company of which he is Artistic Director. Peter also works with the Department of Adult & Community Education and the Department of Applied Social Studies, exploring the same areas but with youth workers and community educators. He teaches Directing for Theatre and a number of theatre-based modules for Continuing Education in Adult & Community Ed. Peter was Artist in Residence with the Education and Froebel Departments from 2017 to 2021.
Regina McCarthy
Music Methodology lecturer Regina McCarthy B.Mus., M.Ed (Music)., A.L.C.M., L.T.C.L., has vast experience as a teacher of students from pre-school, to third level for many years. She is a specialist teacher for the Junior and Leaving Cert Music curriculum, along with being an SEC Senior Examiner for both the practical and written components of Leaving Cert Music. She has also worked with PDST, providing CPD for Music teachers at second level. Regina directs her own Stage School, catering for drama, instrumental music, voice and dance, while preparing students for graded exams annually. She is an accomplished choral and orchestral director who has worked extensively with various ensembles in Ireland, UK, USA and Africa, winning many accolades both at home and abroad. Regina's motto is 'Teachers who love teaching, teach students to love learning'.
Tom McGann
Having spent 35 years teaching, 24 of them as a primary school teacher, I got involved with 3rd level education. I lecture in Marino Institute of Education and Maynooth Future Leaders programme which is particularly interesting for me as I took my Masters in Educational Leadership and Management. I have been involved in the Maynooth Leadership course since its Toriocht days and I really enjoy being involved with the Future Leaders Team and students.
Edmond Behan
Edmond Behan is an experienced teacher of English and Geography. He has also written several best-selling school textbooks including 'Quest', 'Make the Transition English', 'English Extra' and 'Poetry Speaks'. Edmond is also one of 16 teachers across Europe to be selected to the European Film Factory Group, who collaboratively designed activities to promote film literacy in countries across Europe. Edmond was awarded a First Class master of Education degree from Maynooth UNiversity in 2018. In addition to lecturing on English Methodology with PME 1 students at MU, he also enjoys working as a Professional Placement Supervisor with PME 1 and PME 2 students at UCD.
Corona Farrell
Having graduated from Maynooth in 1986 with BSc and HDipEd, I was awarded MEd (Leadership and Management) in 2003. I taught in a number of schools (I was an original staff member of Ashbourne Community School from 1994). I was appointed Deputy Principal of Inver College in 2006.
Tommy Mc Donnell
My name is Tommy Mc Donnell. I took early retirement in 2017. I thought English, French and Irish in Carrick On Shannon and in South County Dublin for 32 fantastic years. I am thoroughly enjoying my role as Placement Tutor in NUIM.
Bill Lynch
Bill Lynch qualified with a B. Sc. from UCG (now NUIG) and a H. Dip. from Maynooth and also obtained a Master of Studies degree from Trinity College. Bill taught Maths, Physics, Applied Maths and Science in a variety of schools for 25 years before joining the NCCA, becoming a Director of Curriculum and Assessment in 2002 with responsibility for post-primary STEM subjects. Following his retirement from the NCCA, Bill resumed teaching maths on a part-time basis and is a school placement tutor for the B. Sc. with Education programme at Maynooth University. He is currently undertaking the Ed D programme at Maynooth University and plans to explore curriculum and assessment development in the context of post-primary education in Ireland with a focus on the role and engagement of teachers.
Mary Bonner-Galbraith
Mary Bonner-Galbraith is a graduate of UCD and Ulster University. For her Masters thesis she researched why boys underachievement in the Leaving Certificate. She taught Irish and English in Crana College Buncrana for 20 yearsbefore taking up the role of Guidance Counsellor until 2016. She served on the National Executive of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors where she worked to promote the role of the Guidance Counsellor in Second Level schools.
Arthur Dunne
Arthur trained as guidance counsellor in Mater Dei Institute in 1976 and worked as guidance counsellor for four decades. He completed an M. Ed in Guidance and Counselling in QUB in 1996 with Ruth Leitch and Willie Thompson. He is Past-President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. Arthur introduced Reality Therapy training to Ireland when he invited Dr William Glasser to give his first workshop here in 1985 and is currently Senior Faculty with William Glasser Institute Ireland. He was accredited as Reality Therapy Psychotherapist in 2009 and awarded the European Certificate in Psychotherapy in 2016.
John Bean
John graduated from Maynooth with a B.A. in French and Irish, a Higher Diploma in Education and an M. Ed., where he focused on the management of change in schools. He taught in the Donahies Community School (1981 – 1992) and in Hartsown Community School in Dublin where he was Deputy Principal (2002-2010) and Principal (2010 – 2019). He taught Special Methods (French) to PME students in MU from 1995 – 2010. He is a member of the NCCA syllabus committee for Modern Languages and the Foreign Languages Advisory Group of the PPLI and was a member of the Jigsaw Advisory Group for Dublin 15. He is currently a PME placement tutor in MU and an associate, mentor and coach with the Centre for School Leadership.
Michael Behan
Michael Behan, Principal, St Paul's College, Raheny, (2014-2020). Teacher of Irish and Geography in Loreto College, Swords since 1988 and Deputy-Principal from 2008. Awarded M.Sci in Ed and Training Leadership, DCU 2005. Interests in all sports and qualified GAA coach tutor. Currently pursuing Advanced Diploma in Personal Leadership and Executive Coaching, June 2021.
Alice Lynch
Alice Lynch. I completed my undergraduate studies (BA in German and Sociology) in what was then St Patrick's College Maynooth. My first permanent teaching position was in St Kilian's Community School in Bray where I taught German for 18 years. I then completed my MA in German in Maynooth in and was very fortunate to the position of Deputy Principal in St Kilian's Deutsche Schule in Clonskeagh. In 2012 I was appointed the first non German principal of the school hand continue in that role to date. In 2018 I completed the Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership in Maynooth.
Sarah Timmins
I joined the the Department of Education at Maynooth as a Placement Tutor in 2018. Since then I have also become a University Tutor for the PME Programme and a lecturer in History Methodologies. I have a background of 20 years in Further Education at levels 4, 5 and 6 and in teaching at Second Level (junior and senior cycle) History, Geography and Politics. I have written, developed and delivered modules for the Trinity Access Programme , Transition Year Curriculum and numerous QQI courses/qualifications. Currently I am studying Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Restorative Justice with the Edward Kennedy Institute. Email: Sarah.Timmins@mu.ie
Michael Griffin
I am an alumni of the Bachelor of Science Education program in Maynooth, since that time I have been a founding member of a new secondary school in the Lucan area and I am currently an Assistant Principal in the school. I am currently lecturing in Computer Science Methodologies for the Education Department. Email: Micheal.Griffin@mu.ie
Mary Daly
Graduated from NUI Galway with a degree in Gaeilge, Geography and Archaeology. Her teaching career began in St Dominic’s College, Ballyfermot in 1977 and was appointed Principal in 2000, retiring in 2018 after some 41 years’ experience. During her time in St Dominic’s, her enduring philosophy and strong moral purpose has been to address educational inequality and raise the aspirations of students, staff and the local community of Ballyfermot. Represented Ireland at the European ‘Raising Achievement for All Learners’ Project, Mary had the opportunity to share principles of best practice with participants from across Europe. Email: Mary.Daly@mu.ie
Donncha O'Callaghan
Member of TYST (Transition Year Support Team) 1993-1997. Co -Author of Transition Year Guidelines-Irish &English version. Transition Year CO Ordinator 1993-2006. Deputy and Acting Principal. Advising Examiner for SEC in Business Studies. External Examiner -NAVA & FETAC. Email: Donncha.OCallaghan@mu.ie
Judi Mills
My background is as a secondary school teacher in Ireland where I have been teaching History, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and working as an associate for the Applied Mathematics PDST Team. I have been working as a university tutor and mathematics methodology lecturer in Maynooth since 2018. I am currently a PhD student with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The area of research for my PhD is investigating how challenged able mathematicians feel in secondary schools in Ireland. I have a particular interest in how other countries have incorporated differentiation for high ability mathematicians into regular classroom teaching. Email: Judi.Mills@mu.ie
Mary Gormley
Mary delivers Chemistry methodologies on the PME and BSc Science Education programmes. Mary completed her undergraduate degree in Science Education in Maynooth University and her Post Graduate Certificate and Masters in Trinity College. Mary is a Chemistry and Maths teacher and she has collaborated with JCT and NCCA on the new Junior Cycle Science specification. Mary is particularly interested in the area of Learning to Learn and exploring how the development of essential competencies can be facilitated in the classroom. Email: Mary.Gormley@mu.ie
Padraic Kavanagh
Padraic has been involved with Secondary education for over 35 years and retired as Principal after 20 years in the role.
Paula Finnegan
Teacher of RE and History at Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin. JCT RE Associate (part time). Co-Author of 'Beliefs in Our World' (Gill Education). Education And Training Management (e-learning) masters. Facilitator and life long learner. Email: Paula.Finnegan@mu.ie
Eilish Humphreys
Eilis Humphreys is Chief Executive of the Le Chéile Schools Trust which is a patron body representing 15 congregations who between them have 75 schools. Prior to that she was Principal in St. Louis Secondary School Rathmines for five years, before joining the Leadership Development for Schools Team (LDS) in 2005. She was involved in designing the original “Toraíocht” future leaders course which was offered jointly by LDS and Maynooth University. She successfully completed her Doctorate in Maynooth in 2010 having submitted her thesis on Distributed Leadership and its Impact on Teaching and Learning. Email: Eilish.Humphreys@mu.ie
Una Murray
Originally a language and English teacher, I have worked with PMEs across third level institutions since 2007. I currently teach English methods and am conducting doctoral research in the area of transition and initial teacher education. I also continue to teach at second level and am involved in the development of textbooks. Email: Una.Murray@mu.ie
Kathy Finnegan
I am a retired Deputy Principal and Guidance Counsellor. I was Deputy Principal for five years. I started my teaching career as a French and Spanish teacher in this coeducational boarding and day school. My husband (also a teacher) and I took a career break to work in Zimbabwe from 1987 to 1990, teaching in a rural secondary school where I taught English Language and Literature. When I returned to Ireland I trained as a Guidance Counsellor. In 2013 I completed my Doctorate In Education. Email: Kathy.Finnegan@mu.ie
Andreana Barry
Andreana Barry studied in English and French in University College Dublin and worked in a variety of settings around Leinster before settling in Our Lady's College, Greenhills, Drogheda. She taught mainstream English and French classes of all levels throughout her career in Our Lady's. She ran a successful student exchange programme with schools situated in Normandy, France, and promoted the French language and culture throughout her career, leading many trips abroad. Andreana dedicated much time to her passion for making education accessible to all learners, eventually coordinating Leaving Certificate Applied, and mentoring colleagues and students. After spending more than 30 years in Our Lady's, Andreana joined the Education Department in Maynooth in 2018 and enjoys being part of the future of education in Ireland. Email: Andreana.Barry@mu.ie
Gerry Jeffers
Gerry Jeffers worked as a full time lecturer (Innovation and Development in Schools) in the Education Department, from 2000 to 2012. He continues to lecture, supervise students, conduct research and write in a part-time capacity. Prior to joining the University, he worked as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and deputy principal in schools in Dublin, Kilkenny and Kenya. In the mid-1990s he was seconded to the Department of Education to support the mainstreaming of the Transition Year programme nationally and from 1998-2000 was the National Co-Ordinator of the Transition Year Curriculum Support Service. Research interests include innovation, educational inequality, global citizenship education and school leadership. His published books include 'Transition Year in Action' (Liffey Press, 2015) and 'Clear Vision, The Life and Legacy of Noel Clear, Social Justice Champion 1937-2003' (Veritas, 2017). Email: Gerard.Jeffers@mu.ie
Justin Brown
Justin is currently Deputy Principal of Coláiste Iosagáin, Portarlington, a large post primary school with an enrolment. of over 1000 pupils. Justin completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and M.Ed in School Leadership in NUIM. Justin is a Business and Religion Teacher and began is career in Oatlands College, Mount Merrion in September 2000 before moving to Coláiste Iosagáin in 2002. In 2013 he took a Career Break from teaching to work as Schools Co-Ordinator with CEIST (Catholic Education, An Irish Schools Trust) before returning in 2017 to take up his current position. He has a particular interest in school governance and structures and currently teaches on the ED678 module of the Education and Leadership Management programme- Legal Contexts, Policy and Practice. Justin is also the Chairperson of the Board of Management of his alma mater - St. Mary's CBS, Portlaoise. Email: Justin.Brown@mu.ie
Eoin Houlihan
Eoin Houlihan is a lecturer in S.P.H.E. methodologies to year 1 of the P.M.E. He graduated from St. Patrick's College Carlow in 2002 BA in Humanities. In 2006 he Graduated from Maynooth University with a H-Dip in Education. He returned to Maynooth University in 2014 and completed a Masters in School Leadership & Management. In 2016 he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in School Guidance and Counselling. Eoin teaches full time in second-level education. Email: Eoin.Houlihan@mu.ie
Conor Harrison
Conor has been working with the Education Department since 2012. He is currently working as a University Tutor in PME1 and PME2. He facilitates a number of Special Methods courses in PME 1 and PME2: Civic, Social & Political Education (CSPE), Politics & Society and Geography.
He is a passionate educator who has worked with various support services of the Department of Education, including the CSPE Support Service, the SLSS and the PDST. He is particularly interested in active learning methodologies, the teaching of controversial/sensitive issues, creating positive and engaging learning environments, nurturing and developing classroom relationships and student and parent/guardian voice, activism and ongoing teacher professional development.
He was a post-primary teacher in Moyle Park College, Clondalkin for 12 years. He is currently Chairperson of the Board of Management of Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School. He is co-author of Make A Difference! (5th edition, 2021) - A Complete Package for teaching and learning CSPE, published by Folens Publishers. E-mail: Conor.Harrison@MU.ie”
Nuala Uí Cheallaigh
Nuala is a full-time team member with the Academic School Placement Team with the School of Education in the University of Limerick. Prior to this she has been a secondary school teacher for 20 years. She began her educational journey with B.A in Gaeilge & History in UCD, which was followed by the H. Dip in Education in Trinity and earned a Masters in Educational Management & Leadership from the University of Ulster. Nuala was presented with the ‘All-Island Entrepreneurial Teacher of the Year’ award by DCU in 2007. Throughout her career she has worked in various types of schools: DEIS, public, private, inner city and rural. She has worked with JCT and NIPT, both national teacher support services, facilitating CPD and curriculum development for teachers and schools through both English and Irish.