Teacher Mairi Godley tells us about her studies for the Additional Teaching Qualification in Religious Education at Glasgow University, which was subsidised by the Archdiocese.

I knew that I wanted to continue my studies in Religious Education. after completing my Diploma in Catechetics, which is run by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh

I have taught in St. Margaret's Academy for 16 years now and am a generalist RE teacher, but I thought it would be a great idea to continue learning in order to enhance my teaching of core RE, as well as being able to teach both National 5 and Higher level RMPS. My background is languages and I feel that these subjects have strong links.

Funded

I successfully applied to study for the Additional Teaching Qualification in Religious Education at Glasgow University. I have been lucky as both the Archdiocese and my school have part-funded my studies. This is extremely helpful, especially during these uncertain times.

The first module is going really well. As most of the materials and sessions are online it makes fitting in the course a lot easier as I am working full-time and have three young children at home. We have been covering both the Old and the New Testament and are currently studying the Seven Sacraments. My first portfolio submission is due on tby the end of May so I plan to get started on this soon!

I teach French, Spanish and ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) and I feel that RE will complete my subject offerings, enhancing my overall teaching practice.

It is important to continue to learn to keep motivated and encourage the students as best you can in global issues such as the environment and the importance of kindness and being a good person.

Mairi Godley is a teacher in St Margaret’s Academy in Livingston. She is one of five teachers offered a subsidy by the Archdiocese to fund their studies for the Additional Teaching Qualification in Religious Education.  Any future subsidies available to study for qualifications in Religious Education will be posted on this website.