The Teaching Council, the regulatory body for teaching in Ireland, has announced the appointment of Tomás Ó Ruairc as Council Director. Mr Ó Ruairc will assume the role with effect from Monday next, 14 May. Mr Ó Ruairc will move to the Teaching Council from a senior position in the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht. Prior to that, he was Deputy CEO and Director of Education Services in Foras na Gaeilge. He has considerable experience in the field of education, having served as a member of the NCCA from 2006 to 2009 and as Head of Irish and Chair of the Academic Council in Froebel College of Education from 2000 to 2005. He was a teacher in Athlone Community College and has produced syllabus and teaching materials in the area of teaching of Irish to adults. He has a B.A., M.A. and a Higher Diploma in Education.

Commenting on Mr Ó Ruairc’s appointment, Micheál Ó Gríofa, Chairperson of the Teaching Council said:

“I am delighted, on behalf of the Council, to announce this appointment. Tomás joins us at a very significant time, when many new sections of the Teaching Council Act are due to be commenced. From the coming school year, registration will be a requirement for all teachers and this will pave the way for the commencement of important statutory functions in the areas of fitness to teach and continuing professional development. We have a challenging programme of work before us, and my fellow Council members and I look forward to working with Tomás in delivering real progress in the months and years ahead. Fortunately, there are solid foundations on which to build, these having been laid down by the Council under the capable and committed stewardship of Tomás’s predecessor, Áine Lawlor. I wish Tomás every success in his new role”.

 Information and photograph from the Teaching Council website.