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Brian Cody who addressed teachers at the INTO conference yesterday. Tommy Grealy/INPHO
Teachers
'Volunteering spirit' of primary school teachers needs to be praised, says Cody
He said teachers should not be concerned about setbacks as they are “inevitable parts of life”.
THE VOLUNTEERISM OF Ireland’s primary school teachers needs to be praised, said Brian Cody, Kilkenny Hurling manager and school principal.
Speaking at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) Annual Congress in Kilkenny, Cody said that this spirit needed to be “valued, maintained and developed”.
Cody praised for the work teachers do outside of office hours in sport, music and drama, adding that it happens all over the country.
Communities
He said that over the past forty years he has seen primary teachers “doing great work and making a great contribution to their communities”.
Cody said that “this community spirit has helped children in difficult times. If we ever lose that spirit we really will have a recession. Let us make sure that this does not happen”.
Speaking about the leadership of teachers, he said:
The first thing a good leader needs to do is develop a good spirit in your group. This is done by valuing everyone’s opinion, showing respect for all members of the group and by being honest and genuine in your approach. Have enough humility to recognise that you do not have all the answers.
He added, “don’t be concerned about setbacks. They are inevitable parts of life. Continue to set goals. Don’t make excuses. You lose when you are not good enough. Make yourself better”.
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