The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)

PDST was established in September 2010 as a generic, integrated and cross-sectoral support service for schools, and is supported by the Irish Department of Education and Skills. It is now the country’s largest single support service offering professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Key priorities include supporting school leadership, school self-evaluation, assessment, ICT for teaching and learning, inclusion, health and wellbeing and post primary subjects and programmes. PDST provides continuing professional development and support through a team of teachers, primary and post-primary, seconded from their schools to work with the PDST. The PDST website contains pages dedicated to teacher’ health and wellbeing, containing resources and links for teachers concerning their ongoing physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace, and providing face-to-face trainings and seminars to teachers.