Empowering the Future: Kinsale Community School’s Record MIEE Success and Showcase Recognition

Kinsale Community School is delighted to celebrate two landmark achievements that reinforce our position as a national and international leader in education. We are proud to announce that:

  • 100 members of our teaching staff have been awarded Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) status — the highest number in any school in Ireland, and

  • Kinsale Community School has once again been named a Microsoft Showcase School for 2025–2026, marking our seventh consecutive year receiving this esteemed recognition.

100 Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts — A National First

This year, 100 teachers at Kinsale Community School have achieved MIEE status, positioning our school at the forefront of educational innovation and digital leadership in Ireland.

The Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert programme recognises exceptional educators who demonstrate outstanding creativity, leadership, and impact in using technology to support teaching and learning. MIEEs inspire innovation, champion student-centred learning, and collaborate with educators locally and globally to share best practice.

At Kinsale Community School, our MIEEs are innovators, mentors, and leaders. They:

  • Create engaging, personalised digital learning experiences

  • Model excellence in digital pedagogy

  • Support accessibility and inclusion for all learners

  • Share innovative teaching practices across our school and beyond

This collective achievement is a testament to our culture of continuous professional learning, our commitment to educational excellence, and our belief in empowering students with future-ready skills.

A full list of Kinsale Community School’s 2024–2025 Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts can be found below.

Microsoft Showcase School

We are equally proud to announce that Kinsale Community School has been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate global leadership in digital transformation, inclusive learning, and future-focused education.

Kinsale Community School is:

  • One of only seven Showcase Schools in Ireland, and

  • The only Showcase School in Cork

Being awarded Showcase School status for the seventh consecutive year reflects our ongoing dedication to innovation, excellence, and student success. Since first receiving the honour in 2019, Kinsale Community School has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible in modern education.

Technology That Empowers Every Learner

Our digital approach is rooted in inclusion, accessibility, and opportunity. Tools such as Immersive Reader, Microsoft Translator, Teams, and OneNote support students of all abilities by:

  • Breaking down barriers for learners with additional needs

  • Empowering multilingual students

  • Facilitating personalised learning pathways

  • Supporting creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking

These resources ensure that every student has the tools to achieve their full potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

A Shared Vision for the Future

These achievements belong to our entire school community — our dedicated staff, outstanding students, supportive parents, and valued partners. Together, we are shaping a learning environment defined by creativity, inclusion, and excellence.

As we enter another year as a Microsoft Showcase School, we remain committed to:

  • Continuous innovation

  • Equity and access for all

  • Preparing our students to lead, create, and inspire in the digital age

We look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead as we continue to reimagine education and empower every learner to shine.

Kinsale Community School’s Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts 2024–2025

Jason Abbott, Theresa Ahern, Hollie Archer, Killian Barry, Elaine Bennett, Grace Bermingham, Aaron Bowen, Sinead Brennan, Maria Brosnan, Aishling Buckley, Patrick Burke, Tony Cierans, Thomas Clancy, Sarah Condon, Margaret Cooney, Gemma Cooper, John Corcoran, Paul Costello, Aine Cotter, Catherine Coughlan, Maebh Delahunty, Iggy Dineen, Alan Downing, Linda Dreelan, Mairead Dullea, Diarmaid Fahy, Eddie Farren, Anne-Marie Flavin, Tracey Fleming, Janet Forrest, Tara Frain, Jean Gaffney, Brigita Gallagher, Amy Harrington, Aoife Harrington, Shane Hartnett, Niamh Hay, Marie Hayes, Rachel Hayes, Eamonn Healy, Conor Hegarty, Aisling Hennebry, Aoife Houlihan, Lisa Hurley, Frances Jones, Mike Keane, Evan Kearns, Anne Kelly, Deirdre Kelly, Maria Kennedy, Lauryn Kiely, Luke Kingston, Rebecca Lawlor, Caitriona Leahy, Kevin Madigan, Michelle Manley, Ciarán McCarthy, Fergal McCarthy, Jack McGregor, Aine McKenna, Maeve McNamara, Gail Mullaney, Laura Ní Chearbhaill, Joyce Normoyle, Chloe O'Brien, Sineád O'Brien, Kathleen O'Brien, Gerard O'Callaghan, Joanne O'Connor, Luke O'Connor, Ita O'Donovan, Kay O'Donovan, Sinead O'Donovan, Niall O'Donohue, Georgina O'Halloran, Carol O'Loughlin, Aoife O'Mahony, Laura O'Mahony, Robyn O'Mahony, Chloe O'Regan, Brian O'Reilly, Cliona O'Shaughnessy, Edel O'Sullivan, Lisa O'Sullivan, Breda O'Sullivan, Mary O'Sullivan, Bertie Pearse, Emele Polley, Ciara Quinlivan, Tracey Roche, Claire Sheehan, Niamh Sheehan, Anne Stack, Damien Sweeney, Olivia Sweetnam, Tiff Taylor, Nicola Thornton, Jamie Torpey, Sebastian Tretter, Richard Williams.

Congratulations once again to our entire school community on these outstanding achievements. We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together — and excited for the future of learning at Kinsale Community School.

Gemma Cooper