Teacher who represented Kildare becomes new President of INTO

Longford teacher Carmel Browne has become the new president of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the first teacher from Longford to be elected to the prestigious post.

A native of Roosky, Co Roscommon and member of the Longford branch, she represented District 7 encompassing Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare and Meath on the INTO Central Executive Committee since 2015.

Speaking at the annual congress in Derry today, the new INTO President said, “It is an honour to take up the position of INTO President. I will continue to represent our members and strive to deliver improved conditions of employment for teachers north and south.

"Increasing diversity in the teaching profession in Ireland to better represent our diverse communities is a particularly important goal for all of us. Working with stakeholders to ensure adequate supports for children with additional needs and those from disadvantaged communities is a key priority. Every child has a right to access appropriate education in a safe space."

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Carmel, who is Melview National School Deputy Principal, added, "Continued activism at local level is integral to maintaining a strong voice for INTO to ensure that collectively we are successful in achieving our goals. I encourage all members to have their voice heard at branch and district meetings. I look forward to meeting members north and south in the coming months.”

She has been a member of the INTO since she started her teaching career in 1980.

In 2002, Carmel was named the Primary Schoolteacher of the Year, winning €10,000 for her school, Melview NS, and a holiday to South Africa for herself.

She has worked at branch and district level and has served as District 7 representative on the Equality Committee, taking on the role of chairperson until her election to the INTO executive in 2015. She was also a member of the INTO Project Team on Pay Equality.

Carmel has worked with all age groups from infants to sixth class and as a learning support and resource teacher. She successfully completed her Master’s in Education in 2011 and also taught in West London for several years. She is currently a member of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

Carmel is a keen sports person - she previously served as Longford Town FC Club Secretary and as Chairperson of the Longford Town FC Supporters Club - and she advocates the benefits of being physically active for children and teachers alike.

She believes now is the time for all INTO members to show solidarity and continue to work together to address workload issues, restore posts of responsibility and to protect and improve our pay and conditions.

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Carmel is a lifelong proponent of equality and human rights issues. She has no doubt that both issues, are at the core of priorities for the INTO at present and she looks forward to working with members to bring about change for the better.

She believes that overcrowded classrooms are detrimental to children in our primary schools and limit the implementation of effective modern teaching methods.

Furthermore, she believes that the deplorable lack of funding for our schools needs to be addressed urgently.

Also read: Carmel Browne will be first Longford teacher to take up role as INTO President

She welcomes the innovative changes proposed to enhance curriculum in primary schools in the coming years and will continue to strive to ensure that this new curriculum is adequately funded and resourced.

She looks forward to continuing to work with members to bring about change for the better.

Also read: Longford teachers demand an end to chronic underfunding of primary schools