The ‘Cairde Froebel’ are specifically nominated as a result of their exemplary contribution to education. Most notably, they each illustrate the true sense of what it means to be ‘Froebelian’. Please read about our ‘Cairde’ below.
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Niamh Bhreathnach was born in Dublin in 1945. A Froebel graduate, she taught in the Inner City in Dublin and practised as a remedial teacher. Appointed by the Labour Party, she served as Minister for Education from 1993 to 1997. Among her achievements were publishing the first White Paper on Education, initiating intervention programmes for disadvantaged areas, abolishing third level undergraduate tuition fees, and delivering the University Act 1997.
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Eamon O’Kane’s research involves among other things the examination of the legacy of Friedrich Froebel on modern society. The results of his research mainly take the form of interactive installations, shown in exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, Quimper, Limerick, Sligo, Galway, Cork, and Dublin. Eamon takes inspiration from artists, architects, and designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Piet Mondrian, Wassily Kandinsky and Charles Eames, all educated in early childhood Froebelian settings. These highly interactive installations cross a wide range of disciplines and social structures examining Froebel’s legacy whilst exploring the links between the natural world and the development of creativity. Eamon is Professor of Visual Art (Painting and Drawing) at The Art Academy, Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design, University of Bergen, Norway.
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Marion Brennan has been involved in teaching and learning in the field of early childhood education and care for over twenty years. Marion graduated from Dublin City University in 2007 with a MSc. in Education and Training Management. In 2015, she was also awarded an MSc. in Group Analysis from UCD. Marion lectures on the BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning at the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University. She supervises practicum and thesis students at both Masters and Undergraduate levels. Her particular areas of interest are Reflective Practice, Action Research and Professional Learning.
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Áine Kirwan attended Froebel College from 1964 to 1967 and has had a varied and enriching career in education ever since. Áine taught Early Start, Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and Second Class. She also taught in a DES pre-school for children of the Traveller community. Áine is a long serving supervisor of school placement in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education of Maynooth University where she guides and mentors student teachers in their professional practice.
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Rebecca Carroll, a Froebel graduate, has taught at all class levels and was Assistant Principal in John Scottus National School for 5 years. Rebecca is currently 6th class teacher in Ballinteer ETNS. She particularly enjoys exploring STEM, Art, Literature, Teaching in the Outdoors and the interconnectedness of all things. Rebecca begins every unit of work eliciting what the children know and ensures they have the opportunity to create questions for inquiry and investigations. Rebecca thoroughly enjoys exploring, investigating, learning and growing with her pupils.
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Brian Tubbert began his primary teaching career in the 1970s. Always student-centred, values-led and a radical educator, Brian went on to work as senior lecturer in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education of Maynooth University in the areas of SESE and History of Education. He supervised countless student teachers on school placement over the years, gently sharing his wisdom and insights and always ensuring they maintained a child-centred approach in all they did in classrooms around the country. Brian established, cultivated and sustained a DICE culture in the Froebel Department and tirelessly embedded Froebelian principles into his practice.
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