Get to know the main lesson teachers, administrators, specialists and artisans who work with ALFA students.
Sile Prendergast - Maths
Sile Prendergast is a founding parent of Alfa and has been a teacher for over 24 years. Fourteen of these years were in a mainstream Secondary School (De la Salle College, Dundalk) teaching Leaving Certificate Biology and Junior Certificate Science. Sile has been teaching science and mathematics at Alfa for over 10 years. In 2009 she became a lead teacher at Alfa, in coordination with Nell Smyth, bringing a new impulse in the balance of a shared partnership program in the Arts , Sciences and Humanities. Sile moved from Co Kerry to Raheen Wood Steiner School in 1996 to educate her four children. Sile's other interests include family, sacred geometry and walking in the landscape of the west of Ireland.
Qualifications: B.Sc Hons, H.Dip.Ed
Sile Prendergast is a founding parent of Alfa and has been a teacher for over 24 years. Fourteen of these years were in a mainstream Secondary School (De la Salle College, Dundalk) teaching Leaving Certificate Biology and Junior Certificate Science. Sile has been teaching science and mathematics at Alfa for over 10 years. In 2009 she became a lead teacher at Alfa, in coordination with Nell Smyth, bringing a new impulse in the balance of a shared partnership program in the Arts , Sciences and Humanities. Sile moved from Co Kerry to Raheen Wood Steiner School in 1996 to educate her four children. Sile's other interests include family, sacred geometry and walking in the landscape of the west of Ireland.
Qualifications: B.Sc Hons, H.Dip.Ed
Nell Smyth - History, English and Drama
Nell is a Steiner teacher and teacher trainer and has worked in both America and Ireland as a Steiner class teacher and upper school teacher for over twenty five years. She teaches history, English and drama blocks at ALFA and has written and produced a large number of plays for students, some of which are included in the repertoire of the National Association of Youth Drama in Ireland. Nell is also active in Irish educational reform for teenagers and is currently dividing her time between teaching at ALFA and leading a pilot cross curricular scheme through drama in a main stream secondary school in Dublin. She is the recipient of the NAPD Creative Artists Engagement Award 2014, the author of numerous articles and the published book,The Breathing Circle: learning through the movement of the breath and the upcoming Drama at The Heart: active learning in an integrated curriculum to be published in the spring of 2016.
Qualifications: B.A. Hons in English ; M.A in Afro Caribbean Studies; P.G.C.E; Steiner Class teacher diploma
Peggy Boyle - Development
Peggy was led to Steiner/Waldorf education by her first child. She recalls being hooked for life after her child's first day at kindergarten. "Life was full of the activities of living, imagining and being fully engaged with each moment, with no real boundaries between the work and play of each day". For her, "Steiner/Waldorf Education was the obvious progression from the warmth and freedom of home, an education which surrounds the child with what they need, thus supporting them through each developmental phase. This is true, not only for the young child but for the adolescents, who are beckoning to learn to think for themselves". While Peggy has long been interested in arts and crafts education, she has worn many hats at ALFA, most recently administration and fund-raising.
Qualifications: B.Sc., Steiner Education, Diploma Business Studies
Peggy was led to Steiner/Waldorf education by her first child. She recalls being hooked for life after her child's first day at kindergarten. "Life was full of the activities of living, imagining and being fully engaged with each moment, with no real boundaries between the work and play of each day". For her, "Steiner/Waldorf Education was the obvious progression from the warmth and freedom of home, an education which surrounds the child with what they need, thus supporting them through each developmental phase. This is true, not only for the young child but for the adolescents, who are beckoning to learn to think for themselves". While Peggy has long been interested in arts and crafts education, she has worn many hats at ALFA, most recently administration and fund-raising.
Qualifications: B.Sc., Steiner Education, Diploma Business Studies
Regine Roskam - French
French national, Regine, has been teaching French in local National Schools since 1994. She began teaching French at both Raheen Wood Steiner School and ALFA in 2009. In 2015, Regine was certified as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) teacher. Currently she is teaching at ALFA and local primary schools. Formerly a psychiatric nurse in France, Regine moved to her husband's family farm in Ireland where they raised their three children. Regine's hobbies include gardening, running, aerobics and DIY.
French national, Regine, has been teaching French in local National Schools since 1994. She began teaching French at both Raheen Wood Steiner School and ALFA in 2009. In 2015, Regine was certified as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) teacher. Currently she is teaching at ALFA and local primary schools. Formerly a psychiatric nurse in France, Regine moved to her husband's family farm in Ireland where they raised their three children. Regine's hobbies include gardening, running, aerobics and DIY.
Cormac Griffin - Irish, Maths and Physics
Cormac studied Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin and then worked in Japan for 2 years.. Through his extensive travels, including an overland trip from Ireland to Australia, he developed a love of languages. Returning to Ireland, he worked in Community Arts before coming to Clare to work at Irish Seed Savers, a post he kept for four years. Currently, he gives courses in orchard skills around Ireland and workshops in making experimental musical instruments such as guitars and wind instruments from recycled and unusual materials.
He is delighted to start teaching Maths and Irish at Alfa and using active learning methods to engage learners. His hobbies include playing guitar and storytelling.
Cormac studied Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin and then worked in Japan for 2 years.. Through his extensive travels, including an overland trip from Ireland to Australia, he developed a love of languages. Returning to Ireland, he worked in Community Arts before coming to Clare to work at Irish Seed Savers, a post he kept for four years. Currently, he gives courses in orchard skills around Ireland and workshops in making experimental musical instruments such as guitars and wind instruments from recycled and unusual materials.
He is delighted to start teaching Maths and Irish at Alfa and using active learning methods to engage learners. His hobbies include playing guitar and storytelling.
Mike Keegan - Woodwork, Craftwork and Design
Damhnait de Brún - Landscaping
Raised on a dairy farm near Kilmihil, West Clare; after leaving business college migrated to Scotland for ten years. Damhnait set up the 'Tinne Beag workers co-op ltd' an earth healing initiative, whereby the company acquired a 175 acre ex-forestry plantation and began the slow process of healing and managing the land; this is an ongoing project in South West Scotland. Damhnait returned to Eire and spent five years in solidarity with the community of Rossport, Co. Mayo. In 2011 she started at ISSA on a time share basis with Patti in the shop/reception. Text and photo courtesy of Irish Seed Savers: http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/team-scarriff.php
Raised on a dairy farm near Kilmihil, West Clare; after leaving business college migrated to Scotland for ten years. Damhnait set up the 'Tinne Beag workers co-op ltd' an earth healing initiative, whereby the company acquired a 175 acre ex-forestry plantation and began the slow process of healing and managing the land; this is an ongoing project in South West Scotland. Damhnait returned to Eire and spent five years in solidarity with the community of Rossport, Co. Mayo. In 2011 she started at ISSA on a time share basis with Patti in the shop/reception. Text and photo courtesy of Irish Seed Savers: http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/team-scarriff.php
Ruth Marshall - Creative Writing and Goethean Observation
Ruth was a founding parent of Cooleenbridge School (now Raheenwood Steiner NS).
She taught at ALFA from 2002-2004, teaching Main Lesson blocks in Goethean Observation, Parzival, and classes in creative writing, communications, storytelling and crafts. Ruth returned to ALFA in 2012, and is teaching English & Creative Writing for her third year.Ruth trained as a Steiner kindergarten teacher (2001-03), and was an administrator /trainer on the Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association’s teacher training course for 7 years.
As a storyteller, Ruth works in museums, libraries, school, festivals. She trained extensively with Nancy Mellon, a pioneer of the art of healing story, and at The School of Storytelling, Emerson College, UK.
Ruth was editor and publisher of Network Ireland holistic magazine from 1995-2011.
Author of: Celebrating Irish Festivals, Hawthorn Press, 2003; Clare Folk Tales, The History Press, 2013. Poetry in journals and anthologies in Ireland and UK. Ruth is currently a participant on the Poetry Depths Mystery School.
Through the Heritage in Schools Scheme, Ruth gives workshops in primary schools on folklore, seasonal customs, healing plants, wool crafts, storytelling and story-making,. www.ruthmarshallarts,weebly.com
B Sc; HETAC 7 Life & Business Coaching; Steiner Early Childhood Education Certificate; Alumna of The School of Storytelling, Emerson College
Ruth was a founding parent of Cooleenbridge School (now Raheenwood Steiner NS).
She taught at ALFA from 2002-2004, teaching Main Lesson blocks in Goethean Observation, Parzival, and classes in creative writing, communications, storytelling and crafts. Ruth returned to ALFA in 2012, and is teaching English & Creative Writing for her third year.Ruth trained as a Steiner kindergarten teacher (2001-03), and was an administrator /trainer on the Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association’s teacher training course for 7 years.
As a storyteller, Ruth works in museums, libraries, school, festivals. She trained extensively with Nancy Mellon, a pioneer of the art of healing story, and at The School of Storytelling, Emerson College, UK.
Ruth was editor and publisher of Network Ireland holistic magazine from 1995-2011.
Author of: Celebrating Irish Festivals, Hawthorn Press, 2003; Clare Folk Tales, The History Press, 2013. Poetry in journals and anthologies in Ireland and UK. Ruth is currently a participant on the Poetry Depths Mystery School.
Through the Heritage in Schools Scheme, Ruth gives workshops in primary schools on folklore, seasonal customs, healing plants, wool crafts, storytelling and story-making,. www.ruthmarshallarts,weebly.com
B Sc; HETAC 7 Life & Business Coaching; Steiner Early Childhood Education Certificate; Alumna of The School of Storytelling, Emerson College
Emma Sams - Filming and Information Technology
Emma has a passion for filmmaking, specifically working with young people. She has worked with many different youth and community projects on a large number of films over the past 10 years. Over the last 3 years, she has worked as a freelance filmmaker and filmmaking facilitator. One of the groups of young people she coached won a prize for best overall production at the Fresh Film Festival.
Emma has played in several bands and enjoys hip-hop dancing for keeping fit.
Emma has also travelled extensively through South East Asia, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Emma has a passion for filmmaking, specifically working with young people. She has worked with many different youth and community projects on a large number of films over the past 10 years. Over the last 3 years, she has worked as a freelance filmmaker and filmmaking facilitator. One of the groups of young people she coached won a prize for best overall production at the Fresh Film Festival.
Emma has played in several bands and enjoys hip-hop dancing for keeping fit.
Emma has also travelled extensively through South East Asia, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Mia Foley - Felting and Handcrafts
Mark Wilson - Green woodwork and Blacksmithing
Mark began blacksmithing at the age of 12 and trained at Manchester Polytechnic in wood, metals and ceramics in the early 80's. Mark spent 10 years working as a community artist and moved to Ireland in 1992. He retrained in green wood working, eventually became allergic to certain woods, retrained in coppersmithing and went back to blacksmithing!
In additon to his work at CELT (Centre for Environmental Learning and Training) where he was one of the founding members of the Weekend in the Woods events, Mark also works with communities, schools, and at shows, teaching traditional craft skills.
Text adapted from: http://www.celtnet.org/#!about_us/c14e3
Mark began blacksmithing at the age of 12 and trained at Manchester Polytechnic in wood, metals and ceramics in the early 80's. Mark spent 10 years working as a community artist and moved to Ireland in 1992. He retrained in green wood working, eventually became allergic to certain woods, retrained in coppersmithing and went back to blacksmithing!
In additon to his work at CELT (Centre for Environmental Learning and Training) where he was one of the founding members of the Weekend in the Woods events, Mark also works with communities, schools, and at shows, teaching traditional craft skills.
Text adapted from: http://www.celtnet.org/#!about_us/c14e3
