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

United States