Introduction to Developing Leadership, Values and Rapport Webinar Series: Applying the Principles and Practices of Coaching to Empower Student Voice in Post Primary Schools

This Series is a collaboration between Kilkenny Education Centre and Waterford Teachers' Centre.

As educators we need to create a positive learning environment to support the empowerment of student voice. The culture we create as the leaders of learning in our individual settings must consist of shared values that are reinforced through effective communication. This four-part Webinar Series will provide a practical guide for Post Primary teachers to create meaningful opportunities for developing student voice.

Webinar #1 - Introduction - Thursday 13^th January 2022, 7 - 8p.m.

This introductory webinar will provide an overview of the principles and practices that form the foundation for the Webinar Series itself. All three facilitators are strong advocates for empowering student voice in schools. They will discuss the principles that underpin effective leadership in a sporting context and how they can be applied in educational settings to maximise the potential for student voice.

Webinar #2 - Understanding the Qualities of Successful Leaders - Thursday 20^th January 2022, 7 - 8p.m. 

This webinar will explore the qualities associated with successful leaders in the sporting world and the importance of soft skills. Key themes explored will include Emotional Intelligence, Growth Mindset and Empathy. The facilitators will highlight how top-class coaches from the sporting world have embraced these concepts in their practice and explain how students can be empowered when teachers adopt a similar approach.

Webinar #3 - Developing Vision and Values - Thursday 27^th January 2022, 7 - 8p.m.

This third webinar will delve into the values that define some of the most successful coaches and teams from the world of sport, values which the facilitators believe are paramount in the development of an empowered student. The webinar will examine the importance of fostering a philosophy, creating a ‘team’ environment in classrooms, and establishing core values with students. In doing so, teachers will enhance student voice and leadership.

Webinar #4 - Building Rapport - Thursday 3^rd February 2022, 7 - 8p.m.

In the fourth and final webinar, participants will look at the importance of building rapport in developing student voice and leadership, and how strong relationships enhance this potential. The facilitators will discuss some of the key elements necessary to grow rapport, including trust, communication skills, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the importance of reflection. Integrating these elements into daily teaching practices will encourage student voice and leadership to flourish.

Eoghan Hanley, MA, H.Dip

Eoghan Hanley has huge experience in both educational and sporting settings. A teacher for the past 15 years in Gort Community School, Eoghan is also a PDST Associate and the National Co-Ordinator of the GAA/PDST Future Leaders Programme, a role to which he was seconded for two years. He has also begun working with the UCD School of Education as a lecturer and supervisor on their PME Programme. On the sporting front, Eoghan is a qualified Coach Educator and has worked with GAA teams at both club and county level. He also worked in France with French Ligue 2 football team En Avant de Guingamp.

Colm Hanley, H.Dip, M.Ed. ELM

Colm Hanley is an English and History teacher in Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom. He is also the Munster Co-Ordinator of the GAA/PDST Future Leaders Programme and a PDST Associate. His coaching credentials include numerous qualifications in a variety of sports. While the majority of his coaching journey has been with the GAA, he also coaches soccer and golf, qualifying as a golf teaching professional in 2014. Colm has recently completed a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management, and, in the process, conducted extensive research in the area of effective teaching styles and student voice.

Colm Madden, BA, MA, PDE

Colm Madden is an English and History teacher in Gort Community School, Co. Galway. He is also the Connacht Co-Ordinator of the GAA/PDST Future Leaders Programme, a PDST Associate and is currently completing a PhD. A member of Whitegate GAA Club in Co. Clare, Colm has extensive experience in the GAA as a player, coach and administrator. He is passionate about using learnings from the world of sport to help develop the student voice in classrooms.