I am interested in an exploration of the identity of teachers in Catholic schools and the manner in which they navigate perceived challenges in Catholic Education at present.
Abstract
It is my belief that the varying levels of lived Catholic Ethos in schools is also worthy of further exploration. My interest in this area stems from time spent teaching in a Catholic school in the UK and naturally comparing and contrasting it to my current role as a teacher in a catholic school in Limerick. My questions relate to both the identity of the teacher in Catholic schools, as well as the spiritual development of both the teacher and the child within Catholic Education.
As a practicing primary school teacher, my interest lies mostly in this field. Last year, I completed a dissertation entitled ‘The Space for Spirituality: The Primary School Teacher’s Perceptions on the Child’s Right to a Spiritual life in Limerick.’ From this small research study conducted with teachers in Catholic primary schools, I concluded that the manner in which teachers approach the spiritual development of the child is influenced greatly by their life experiences, education and relationships. As a result of this influence, the participants identified Religious Education as an opportunity for spiritual development. Teachers noted the capacity for Prayer, an exploration of Bible stories and Christian Meditation as important vehicles for the spiritual development of the child within Catholic schools. However, a degree of uncertainty presented itself in relation to addressing the plurality of spiritual and religious expression that is present in Catholic schools. I am interested in utilising more extensive interviews to explore how teachers within Catholic schools navigate the challenges identified with regard to addressing the needs of their students in a culturally responsive manner, while upholding the ethos of the school and also, attending to their own identity. I am also interested in further research on how teachers attend to the spiritual development of children in Catholic Schools.
I am interested in an exploration of the identity of teachers in Catholic schools and the manner in which they navigate perceived challenges in Catholic Education at present.
It is my belief that the varying levels of lived Catholic Ethos in schools is also worthy of further exploration. My interest in this area stems from time spent teaching in a Catholic school in the UK and naturally comparing and contrasting it to my current role as a teacher in a catholic school in Limerick. My questions relate to both the identity of the teacher in Catholic schools, as well as the spiritual development of both the teacher and the child within Catholic Education.
As a practicing primary school teacher, my interest lies mostly in this field. Last year, I completed a dissertation entitled ‘The Space for Spirituality: The Primary School Teacher’s Perceptions on the Child’s Right to a Spiritual life in Limerick.’ From this small research study conducted with teachers in Catholic primary schools, I concluded that the manner in which teachers approach the spiritual development of the child is influenced greatly by their life experiences, education and relationships. As a result of this influence, the participants identified Religious Education as an opportunity for spiritual development. Teachers noted the capacity for Prayer, an exploration of Bible stories and Christian Meditation as important vehicles for the spiritual development of the child within Catholic schools. However, a degree of uncertainty presented itself in relation to addressing the plurality of spiritual and religious expression that is present in Catholic schools. I am interested in utilising more extensive interviews to explore how teachers within Catholic schools navigate the challenges identified with regard to addressing the needs of their students in a culturally responsive manner, while upholding the ethos of the school and also, attending to their own identity. I am also interested in further research on how teachers attend to the spiritual development of children in Catholic Schools.