'Teacher fan' Tubridy opens education-excellence festival

Innovation in teaching is being celebrated in Dublin today, as the Festival of Education in Learning and Teaching Excellence takes place at the RDS.

Up to 800 people are attending FÉILTE, which is also being live streamed online at teachingcouncil.ie.

A series of workshops are taking place, alongside panel discussions which will focus on the themes of well-being and the needs of newly qualified and experienced teachers.

Interview with Ryan Tubridy at #Feilte https://t.co/7z8KXNzAff via @audioBoom

— Youth Media Team (@YMTfm) October 4, 2014

Delivering the opening address and in an interview at the event, Ryan Tubridy said: "I'm a fan of teachers…I think they're among the most important people in society."

Recalling his own school days, he said: "I wasn't the best or the brightest by any means, but I loved school because I got involved in a lot of activities."

Ryan Tubridy a parent seeing his daughters light up when saying teacher praised them, teachers undervalued, imp of role of teacher #FEILTE

— Marie-Thérèse Kilmartin (@mariettk) October 4, 2014

Director of the teaching council Tomás Ó Ruairc said: "Féilte is about giving teachers a national platform to articulate their professional voice proudly and joyfully.

"It's important that we acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful things they are doing."