Incoming INTO Vice-President 2009-2010 15/04/09

INTO Press Release: Incoming INTO Vice-President 2009-2010

Jim Higgins
 
Jim Higgins, the new Vice-President of the INTO was born in Battlefield, Culfadda, Ballymote, Co. Sligo in 1948. He attended Culfadda National School, a two teacher school. In 6th Class he was taught by his brother John in Carrowcrany National School. After second level education he went to St. Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra and qualified as a national teacher with first class honours in 1968.

Jim started his teaching career in Palmerstown Boys’ National School in June 1968. He attended U.C.D. and graduated with a B.A. in 1971 and H.Dip. Ed (Hons) in 1972.

From 1974 to 1976 Jim taught Educational Psychology in a Federal Advanced Teachers’ College in Pankshin, Nigeria, West Africa under a secondment scheme sponsored by the Department of Education.

He returned to Palmerstown in 1976 and in 1977 was appointed Principal Teacher of Ardkeeran N.S., Riverstown, Co. Sligo in September 1977 where he still teaches.

He has been an INTO member all his teaching life – even while in Nigeria.  

Jim served as Sligo Branch Secretary, Secretary of Sligo Principals’ and Deputy Principals Forum before being elected to the INTO Executive Committee by the teachers of Sligo and Mayo in 2002.

As a teaching principal Jim is anxious to see improvements in time allowed for administration duties.

He is married to Frances and they have one son and four daughters, two grandsons and one granddaughter.

ENDS.