Kate Crowley

Passionate and dedicated primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Education from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and a specialist focus in DEIS education. As a proud past pupil of Scoil Eoin Primary School and Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, I am honoured by the opportunity to contribute to the school community that shaped my own educational journey. I am committed to providing an inclusive, child-centred learning environment where every pupil is valued, encouraged, and supported to achieve their full potential. My teaching philosophy is rooted in promoting the holistic and harmonious development of each child through meaningful learning experiences, positive relationships, and strong partnerships with parents and the wider community. Through my experience leading DEIS initiatives, fostering parental engagement, and volunteering as a teacher in Uganda, I have developed the adaptability, collaboration, and commitment to educational excellence necessary to make a positive contribution to the academic, social, emotional, and personal development of all pupils while actively supporting the ethos and values of Scoil Eoin.

• Certificate of attaining First Place in the Specialism Educational Disadvantage (DEIS) in Bachelor of Education 2024.
• Mary Immaculate College President’s Honours List (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
• Certificate in Religion Education
• Early Talk Boost Training - A targeted, evidence-based speech intervention
• Introduction to Children’s First Guidelines
• Supporting Challenging Behaviours: An OT Perspective
• Understanding and supporting handwriting challenges
• Teaching English as an Additional Language (TEAL)
• First Aid Training
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom
• Assessment for Learning
• Eucharistic Minister Certificate
• DEIS Specialism 2024

Various dates of subbing throughout the academic year of 2023/2024 in the following schools: 

• Presentation Primary School, Upper Castle Street, Tralee, Co.Kerry
• Holy Family Primary School, Tralee, Co.Kerry
• Scoil Chriost Rí, Drumnacurra, Causeway, Co.Kerry
• Ballincrossig National School, Ballyduff, Co.Kerry
• Moyderwell Mercy Primary School, Cloon Beg, Tralee, Co. Kerry
• Le Chéile National School, Roxboro Road, Co. Limerick
• Caherleaheen National School, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Transition Year Placement

• Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, Caherslee, Tralee, Co.Kerry

• Maria, Jones, Deputy Principal, 087 924 1381, Scoil Carmel, Firhouse, Dublin
• Irene, Quinn, School Principal, 014514151, Scoil Carmel, Firhouse, Dublin
• Pádraig, Ó Súilleabháin, School Placement Inspector and Supervisor for Mary Immaculate College, Padraig.osuilleabhain@mic.ul.ie, 086 814 7444, Kilcummin, Killarney, Co.Kerry
• Bernadette, Costello, Board member of Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School and Character Referee, The Grove Mounthawk, Tralee, Co.Kerry

I love staying active through sport and outdoor activities, particularly Irish dancing, which I have enjoyed for many years and which fosters rhythm, coordination, and cultural pride., I also enjoy running, both for fitness and as a way to set and achieve personal goals, and I would be keen to encourage pupils to discover the benefits of physical activity., I enjoy exploring and sharing music, as I find it a wonderful way to bring people together and encourage creativity., I have a passion for reading and storytelling with children, as well as arts and crafts, which I often weave into my teaching., I also take a keen interest in environmental initiatives such as Green Schools, as I believe in helping pupils understand and care for the world around them.

• Jesse Infant School, Volunteer Teacher, Kampala, Uganda, 2023-06, 2023-06, During my time as a volunteer in Uganda, I worked closely with local families and community groups, assisting with daily needs and supporting educational initiatives. I taught in a primary school, delivering lessons across a range of subjects and adapting to limited resources by creating engaging, hands-on learning activities. Alongside this, I helped organise and participate in fundraising efforts both before and during my visit, ensuring vital resources could be provided to the school and wider community. This experience deepened my understanding of cultural diversity, strengthened my adaptability and resilience, and reinforced my commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments.
• St Vincent de Paul, I have volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul, supporting their work both in charity shops and through fundraising activities. In the shop setting, I assisted with sorting and organising donations, managing displays, and providing a welcoming service to customers, ensuring the shop ran smoothly and efficiently. I also took part in fundraising events, helping to raise awareness of the charity’s work and generating vital funds for its community programmes. This experience strengthened my teamwork, communication, and organisational skills, while reinforcing my commitment to helping those in need and contributing positively to the local community.

• Mounthawk Montessori School and Busy Bees Nursery: Design and implement Montessori curriculum and activities. Observe and assess individual student progress. Create a prepared learning environment with Montessori materials.
• Easter and Summer Camp Leader: Plan and lead educational and recreational activities. Supervise and ensure the safety of children. Manage daily timetables and coordinate with other camp staff.

• Fully probated and registered with the Teaching Council: with a recognised certificate to teach Religious Education, ensuring I can contribute fully to the Catholic ethos and spiritual life of Knockaderry Farranfore NS through liturgical celebrations, prayer services, and daily values-based teaching.
• Extensive experience in Special Education: gained from teaching Senior Infants with diverse needs, including pupils with autism and those for whom English is an additional language, using differentiation, visual supports, and targeted strategies to ensure all learners can access the curriculum and succeed.
• Strong knowledge of the New Primary Curriculum Framework: complemented by practical experience in multi-grade settings and team-teaching contexts, enabling collaborative planning and adaptable, engaging lessons that meet a range of learning needs.
• Proficient in ICT and digital planning: integrating technology to enhance teaching and learning through interactive activities, online resources, and digital assessment tools that foster pupil engagement and independence.
• Proven organisational and leadership skills: developed through coordinating classroom projects, assisting with school-wide events, and drawing on organisational experience from a family business in early childhood education, with the ability to lead initiatives such as the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Green Schools, or Wellbeing projects.
• Committed to holistic development and pastoral care: creating a positive and respectful classroom environment that encourages responsibility, cooperation, and active participation in both academic and extra-curricular activities, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture every child’s unique abilities and talents.

I am committed to supporting the ethos and success of Holy Family Primary School by embracing its Catholic values and inclusive philosophy. In my previous teaching positions, I have worked with children from diverse backgrounds, fostering an environment where every pupil is valued and respected, in keeping with the school’s commitment to nurturing the unique abilities and talents of each child. I have contributed to whole-school liturgical events, organise First Holy Communion, participate in Masses and create prayer services that build community spirit and a shared sense of faith. Going forward, I will continue to promote spiritual growth, pastoral care, and holistic development so that every child can reach their full potential in a supportive, welcoming environment. I also created sacred classroom spaces that reflected the Liturgical calendar, displaying symbols, prayer tables, and student work for celebrations such as Advent and Christmas. For example, I guided pupils through an Advent wreath activity that deepened their understanding of the season and encouraged reflection.

• I am excited to apply for a teaching position at Holy Family Primary School, as its vibrant, connected, and inclusive ethos reflects my own teaching philosophy. Having recently completed two years teaching pupils with diverse needs, including children with autism and children for whom English is an additional language, I have developed the skills to recognise and nurture different abilities and talents so each child can aspire to become all they are capable of intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and socially.
• My teaching experience, alongside previous experience as a Montessori educator and volunteer teacher in Uganda, has strengthened my commitment to fostering a safe, caring, and respectful environment where every child is ‘known, valued and encouraged to thrive’. I value your school’s dedication to empowering learners to take responsibility for their learning, embracing change and innovation, and setting high expectations for both staff and students. I look forward to contributing to this vision with creativity, dedication, and a strong sense of community spirit.