Education Systems
Similarities & Differences
My teaching placement was at Cloondaff National School in the town of Glenhest, Newport- about a 25 minute drive from our bed and breakfast in Westport. National schools are primary schools, which is the equivalent to elementary school in the United States. Cloondaff is a small, rural school. Schools like Cloondaff are becoming increasingly less common, with the government attempting to shut down rural schools and consolidate them into fewer, bigger schools. However, national schools remain beloved by enough Irish citizens that they are still fairly common. The building contained two classrooms, a break room, bathrooms, and office.
The total number of students was 22 with 3 teachers total (2 classroom teachers and 1 resource teacher). Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade were in what was called the "Junior Room" and 3rd through 6th grade were in the "Senior Room." So, 4 grades were in each classroom! My assigned teacher was both the principal of the school and the teacher in the junior room. Needless to say- she had a lot on her plate! I spent some time with each of the rooms every day. Students ate lunch in their room and humanities were also done in the classrooms (except for physical education, which was held outside). Music and Spanish were taught by teachers who visited the school once a week. Art and physical education were planned and taught by the classroom teachers. Teachers did not receive any planning time during the school day.
Ireland
Shorter school day (9:00 to 15:00)
Easter holiday (2 weeks); school year ends in late June
Heavily influenced by Montessori (more play, mixed grades)
Short break mid-morning (15 mins) and big break post-lunch (30 mins), so more recess time outside
Catholicism is allowed to be taught in public schools
No school buses- children are dropped off/picked up by family
Less technology use in the classroom
Irish Gaelic is a required subject
More focus on fluency and paper-pencil textbook work, fewer partner/small group activities
Teachers are not expected to be on their feet all day (it is okay to sit while students are supposed to be working independently- this was a big adjustment for me!)
Children are allowed to use the restroom whenever they need
Schools share arts and humanities teachers
Classroom management is more relaxed
Less focus on efficiency and uniformity (less obsessed with instructional time, transition time numbers)
United States
Longer school day (9:00 to 15:45)
Spring break (1 week); school year ends in late May or early June
Grades are not mixed, less play time
One recess per day (20 minutes)
Public schools are not allowed to promote or teach religion
School buses transport many students to and from school
More technology use in the classroom
More collaborative, hands-on, problem-based learning, and partner/small group activities
Teachers are expected to be on their feet all day (not considered appropriate to sit while students are working; teachers should monitor by walking around and conducting assessment)
Strict schedules and procedures for things such as bathroom breaks, lunch, subject transitions
Schools have designated arts and humanities teachers
Classroom management is less relaxed (specific positive praise, attention getters)
More focus on efficiency and uniformity (classrooms look like "well-oiled machines")