Ms Eimear O'Rourke:

We recruit teachers in the same way mainstream schools do. They apply for a job in the school.

They do not come with any specific training but they may be quite nervous because they might not have an understanding off what it takes to be a teacher of deaf children. However, having an interest is very important. Once they are in, if they are a hearing person with no experience, we look after their early training and direct them in that way. I had never met a deaf person before I came to the school. I landed in St. Mary's as a substitute teacher but I got great support from the teachers in the school. We are a family community and we support each other. A teacher's skills develop over time previous. That CPD is very important. Those who want to move on and become a real professional teacher of the deaf need to do further studies.