Presentation on 'Catholic Teacher Education: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives'
Published: 30 November 2021
Dr Roisín Coll and Fr Stephen Reilly presented their work on, Catholic Teacher Education in Scotland: Current Challenges, as part of seminar series on Tuesday 16 November 2021, 5.00 pm.
Dr Roisín Coll and Fr Stephen Reilly presented their work on, Catholic Teacher Education in Scotland: Current Challenges, as part of seminar series on Tuesday 16 November 2021, 5.00 pm. Many people attended on Zoom, including teachers and academics from Scotland, England, Ireland, the US, the Philippines and Turkey. This new seminar series draws on the expertise of the St Andrews Foundation staff to present some innovative and challenging thinking on the aims and purpose of Catholic Teacher Education.
Catholic Teacher Education in Scotland contributes to an internationally recognised and acclaimed national education system, in one of the few countries in the world where denominational education is fully supported and funded by the state. The Catholic Teacher Education mission is located within the School of Education of one of Scotland’s ancient universities, which accepts the responsibility as ‘sole provider’ of teachers for Scottish Catholic schools despite the university’s secular character.
This seminar explores the tensions and mutual benefits inherent in such a partnership between Church and university. It charts the opportunities arising from the national policy shift towards teaching as a Masters-level profession, and the scope for intercultural dialogue among Catholic students and their peers. It also appraises the challenges to the ongoing Catholic identity of teacher education, the maintenance of a critical mass of committed and highly qualified Catholic teachers, and the strategy required to inspire next generation of Catholic teacher educators who will carry forward the mission.
First published: 30 November 2021