TAP

Well, what a FANTASTIC six weeks the children in Ms. Hogan's Junior Infant class had with Margaret our TAP Creative Associate. If you have followed our journey on the school website over the last few months and the various fun, creative, imaginative, and altogether inspiring workshops with Margaret you will know what a trip the children have been on!

Ms. Hogan and the children got the pleasure of working with Margaret Callan Bergin of Garbo Productions.

Margaret is a socially engaged Theatre Maker, Children’s Writer and Actress and multi-disciplined Arts in Educator. She includes Visual Arts in Education programmes and strands among her skills which also includes, Shadow Puppetry, audiobook recordings, and classroom installations. Margaret has written and performed for RTE Children’s Television and in Theatres, Libraries, and Schools for over 30 years. Her stories and plays have been commissioned by RTE Tallaght Youth Theatre Dublin City Public Libraries and Civic Theatre to name a few. Margaret has worked hand in hand with the school teachers of Dublin creating unique Arts in Education Projects with outstanding results.

St. Mary's was chosen under the Teacher-Artist Partnership (TAP) program, a Department of Education-approved continuous professional development for teachers, and artists working in partnership in primary and special schools. The programme supports and enhances arts education in primary and special schools, to develop the creative potential of every child. TAP provides teachers who complete the program with the opportunity to host a fully funded TAP Artist Residency in their school in 2022/23. This Department of Education-led initiative is a highly innovative, creative, and participant-responsive program that promotes professional learning about working in partnership.

A MASSIVE thank you to Margaret for making our classroom such a magical and wonderful place during the workshops - both the children and Ms. Hogan will never forget our time together as well as the invaluable skills and experiences you afforded us. A huge thank you also to Dublin West Education Centre for matching us with Margaret!  

Take a look at the video composed by Margaret showcasing our magical journey together through the Arts....