Longford teacher prepares for role as new INTO President

Melview National School was abuzz on Thursday, December 21 as pupils and teachers prepared for the Christmas break.
The school's Deputy Principal, Carmel Browne, was tying up loose ends before taking a break from the school in preparation for assuming the role of president of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation at Easter.

Carmel will become the first Longford teacher to take the helm of the oldest and largest teachers' trade union in Ireland.
It's a significant undertaking: “You get to represent teachers in the north and south of Ireland,” she told the Leader, “We have almost 55,000 members between the two jurisdictions. It's an honour and a privilege, but it's also challenging. It is also a little bit scary to be honest.”

Carmel has been very active as a voice for the teaching profession. A member of the INTO since starting her career in 1980 she represented District 7, encompassing Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare and Meath, on the INTO Central Executive Committee since 2015.

She has worked at branch and district level: “I was INTO CEC rep for the Midlands for eight years. Prior to that I was on the INTO equality committee. I am well briefed on the organisation's policy and practice.”
The INTO President elect is aware of the challenges ahead of her: “Initially the biggest challenge is pay and pay talks. The pay talks broke down last week. We have a big decision to make in the next few weeks. The ICTU public service committee will be meeting in the next few days to put a plan together to ballot for industrial action in January.
“I will continue to represent our members and strive to deliver salary increases and improved conditions of employment for teachers north and south. Working with stakeholders to ensure adequate support for the most vulnerable pupils in our care is a key priority,” she said.

The issue of pay is very much to the fore of the incoming INTO President's agenda: “The talks have been going on for the last six months without resolution. Workers right across the public service have been struggling. People on low incomes are struggling with the cost of living.”

“There is a teacher supply issue connected with the cost of living crisis. It's hard for young teachers to afford to live in Dublin. It's a huge problem for us. A recent INTO survey showed there were 809 posts not filled back in September.
“That will probably double in January, when a number of fixed term positions come up to cover maternity leave.”
Carmel's achievements as a teacher are many. In 2002 she was named the Primary Schoolteacher of the Year, winning €10,000 for Melview NS, and a holiday to South Africa for herself.

She has worked with all age groups from infants to sixth class and as a learning support and resource teacher. Carmel successfully completed her Master’s in Education in 2011 and also taught in West London for several years.
Melview NS Principal, Bryan Kennedy, was full of praise for his deputy: “It's a huge honour for us as well. Carmel has been here since 1998. That's 25 years of service. A lot of kids have gone through her hands in that time. She has been a great servant to Melview.

“This is not only an honour for Carmel and her family, it's an honour for Longford and her native Roscommon. There has never been an INTO President from Longford or Roscommon. We are already looking forward to Carmel returning to the school when she becomes president.”

A keen sports person, Carmel is a member of the Executive Committee of Longford Town Football Club, having previously served as Club Secretary and as Chairperson of the Longford Town FC Supporters Club.
She advocates the benefits of being physically active for both children and teachers. The INTO President elect is also going to put equality to the forefront of her agenda: “Something I want to look at is inclusive education and support for all kids in school. It's a battle we are constantly fighting.
“We need to make sure that all children are looked after, both in our school and with the resources that are outside of schools. Ireland has become a very diverse community in every way. We are also looking at increasing the diversity of the teaching profession as well.”

She says teacher engagement with their representative body is vital: “Continued activism at the local level is integral to maintaining a strong voice for the union to ensure that collectively we are successful in achieving our goals.
“I encourage all members to have their voice heard at branch and district levels. I look forward to meeting members north and south in the coming months.”

As she prepares for her secondment to the INTO Carmel has one regret: “I am really going to miss my colleagues during my time as INTO President. There's a great sense of community and camaraderie among the staff at Melview and it's something I will miss while away,” she concluded.