Diary of an Irish Teacher: Why great teachers matter so much

Jennifer Horgan says there is a reason that the biggest influence on a child's success, beyond the student, is the classroom teacher.

Jennifer Horgan: The biggest influence beyond the student is the classroom teacher. Pic: Larry Cummins

I asked about the purpose of education last week and was met with passionate responses from teachers across the country. Educators wrote back with their ideas, in a spirit of enthusiasm and collaboration. Ireland needs to protect that spirit, as if cradling a flame. If we can protect it against the vagaries of politics and bad faith, we’ll have a far better education system.

Teachers, great teachers, matter.