Principal wins prestigious Teachers Inspire Award

THE principal of a local primary school won the prestigious Teachers Inspire Ireland Desmond Award at an award ceremony in Dublin City University last Friday, May 26.

Gemma Maher, the principal of Rathcoole Educate Together National School, won the award after being nominated by a parent of one of her pupils.

Kirsten Fitzgerald nominated Ms Maher for the award as she was the first professional to validate her concerns about her daughter, Olivia Hogg.

This then led to the young girl receiving the intervention and the learning support that she needed.

Ms Maher’s dedication to getting Olivia the additional support she required led to her being nominated for the award, and she told The Echo that she’s been “overwhelmed” by the win.

“It’s overwhelming, because you feel like you’re just doing your job but then someone else says that you went above and beyond,” said Ms Maher.

“It’s a tough job, and to win something like this really means a lot. It’s very unusual but very uplifting.”

Ms Maher said her experience with helping Olivia has informed her work as an educator and that she’s keen that other students in the school who need additional support get the same assistance.

Olivia’s mother, Kirsten Fitzgerald, added: “We should always continue to highlight our concerns and not give up on our children if we feel there is something that needs attention.

“When a tricky situation is resolved in the right way, it can become a model or template for the benefit of others.”