UTU GTC Candidates pen portaits

Audrey Stewart

Audrey Stewart M.Ed D.A.S.E L.T.C.L

Principal of Olderfleet Primary School, Larne, Co Antrim

My teaching career began in Sunnylands Primary School Carrickfergus where in addition to my class teaching commitment, I also taught music throughout the school and coached hockey for girls as an after-school activity.

For many years I have trained school and adult choirs and this has taken me to many parts of the country, including UTV School Choir of the Year.

As part of my continued professional development I studied at The City of Belfast School of Music, achieving an LTCL (voice) which has helped me in my interest in Choral Music. Membership of The Belfast Chorale gave me experience in singing a wide range of music and much experience of festival work. Further study resulted in a DASE leading on an M.Ed.

As a young teacher I worked at branch level for the UTU and then at Area Association of North Eastern Board, serving on Central Executive level for 6 years, returning after the compulsory two-year break to become V.P. in 2004 and President in 2005. I have a special interest in our International Relations Committee and during my presidential year I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to take part in a study tour of Australia , where I was able to see at first-hand how another education system copes with migrant children.

I moved on promotion as V.P to Olderfleet Primary School in 1987 becoming Principal in 1999, a position which has been both teacher and non-teaching. The present enrolment of Olderfleet is 195 pupils. My position as UTU President has afforded me the opportunities to meet with various Department of Education committees, raising a wide range of issues, which affect teachers' pay and conditions of service.

In standing for election of GTC NI, I feel that my extensive experience and knowledge of education especially in the primary sector, will really support such a position and I will be able to represent primary principals ably. I have welcomed the formation of this professional body for teachers as not only has it raised the status of teachers as a profession but has also made provision for the continued development of teachers in the form of individually selected research bursaries.

I am married to Jack and we have two children. Currently I am a member of Belfast Operatic Society, Hon Secretary of Carrickfergus Music Festival and Vice-Chair of the British and Irish Forum of International Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech and Hon Treasurer of N.E. Area Association of UTU and a panel member of The N.I Teaching Awards.

Rosemary Barton

I am a nominated candidate of the Ulster Teachers' Union and presently am a serving member of GTC NI.

As a classroom teacher I believe I have an understanding and empathy of the wide range of professional issues that cause concern in the classroom of today.

As Past President of the UTU, a member of the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council and Secondary Standing Conference I believe I have the skills, experience, knowledge and professional perspective to represent teachers.

If elected I will endeavour to represent the teaching profession in a fair and equitable manner on this professional body.

Gary McGinnis

I am a nominated candidate of the Ulster Teachers' Union . I have been a classroom teacher for seven years following on from six years in retail management.

As a new candidate I would like to be given the opportunity to voice those very real concerns that face primary school teachers at the coalface.

Increasing workloads, increasing stress, increasing paperwork, increasing class sizes in contrast to decreasing budgets and a decreasing number of opportunities for newly qualified teachers are just some of the issues that face us all, old and new, to the profession.

Thea Patton

I am a nominated candidate of the Ulster Teachers' Union . I have been a classroom teacher for 30 years and have been a member of CEC for nearly one year.

I have served on GTC since 2002 and am one of the few classroom teachers on the council.

I would like to continue to represent those primary teachers who try to manage a home/school balance in the face of further changes, such as the implementation of the revised curriculum, pupil profiles and the prospect of larger classes and redundancies due to falling numbers in all our schools.

Sally McKee (Special Education)

I have taught in special education for 16 years, in the classroom and in outreach support.

I was elected onto GTCNI in 2002 and have since fulfilled several roles -

• Chair of Policy Committee;
• Audit Committee;
• Working Group on CPD.

Other education roles include -

• Member of SEELB, serving on Education and Special Education Committees;
• Past President of UTU;
• Secretary of Special Standing Conference.

I am committed to promoting the role of SEN teachers, the need for specialised Initial Teacher Education and opportunities for Professional Development of SEN teachers.

I am supported by INTO.

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