Mayo teacher awarded prestigious research scholarship at Dublin City University
A teacher from Mayo has been selected for the Dublin City University Drumcondra 150 PhD Scholarship.
Lucy Nyland, a post-primary teacher and assistant principal from Castlebar who is currently teaching at a school in Greystones, Co Wicklow, was today chosen as one of seven teachers/educators to be awarded the scholarship from Dublin City University.
She is a past student of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar.
Lucy, who teaches mathematics at second level, will undertake a research project titled Mathematics Teachers and Curriculum Reform: Aligning Curriculum Goals, Professional Beliefs and Classroom Practices at the School Level.
Lucy has led and participated in a wide range of initiatives in her school, including coordinating their Erasmus+ programme and chairing the Teaching and Learning Committee.
She cares deeply about fostering positive engagement with mathematics and is particularly interested in aligning research with everyday classroom practices.
Lucy along with Grace Fitzgerald, Claire Gill, Michelle Kinsella, Roe McDermott, Amy Ryan MacNamara, and Lisa Walsh were awarded Drumcondra 150 scholarships following a competitive open call for submissions.
The Drumcondra 150 PhD scholarships mark 150 years of teacher education at St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra.
The St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra first opened its doors to student teachers in 1875.
Today, the DCU Institute of Education, a dynamic education faculty of more than 4,000 undergraduate, graduate and research students, continues to support new generations of educators focused on all sectors of the education system in Ireland and beyond.
On receiving the scholarship, Lucy Nyland said: “I am delighted to have been awarded this wonderful opportunity to continue learning and developing my practice at the DCU Institute of Education.
"This is a particularly important time for curriculum reform in Ireland, especially at Senior Cycle, and I am looking forward to exploring how we can best support teaching and learning in our classrooms throughout this period of change.
"I sincerely thank the many people who have supported and influenced my journey in education so far, including my family, teachers, mentors and colleagues.”
DCU President Daire Keogh said: “Over the past 150 years, the St Patrick’s campus in Drumcondra has played a pivotal role in the development of generations of talented and dedicated teachers who helped transform the nation through education.
"The awarding of these PhD scholarships is a fitting way to celebrate St Patrick’s rich heritage and its pivotal role in our country’s history. Their research will inform the further progression of teacher education in Ireland, and of teaching and learning, more broadly.”
The Drumcondra 150 Scholarships reflect the Institute of Education’s commitment to DCU’s stated ambition to grow the DCU doctoral community and nurture the next generation of researchers.