Caroline Conlon

Caroline is a Lecturer in the School of Education at University College Cork, where her background as an experienced teacher and educational leader informs her approach to teacher education, research and professional learning.

In her current role, Caroline contributes to the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme, teaching the Pedagogy of Home Economics modules (Year 1 and Year 2). As a PME School Placement Tutor, she supports and mentors Home Economics student teachers in the development of their professional identity, with particular focus on reflective practice, pedagogical competence and the application of evidence-informed teaching approaches.

Prior to her appointment to the School of Education, Caroline worked as a post-primary teacher from 2004 - 2024. During this time, she taught Home Economics at both junior and senior cycle, as well as Science and SPHE at junior cycle. She also taught Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) vocational specialisms, including Hotel, Catering and Tourism, and Childcare and Community Care. Throughout her teaching career, she developed extensive experience in assessment practices, including engagement with State Examinations Commission (SEC) assessment processes across Junior Cycle Home Economics, Leaving Certificate Home Economics, LCA Hotel, Catering and Tourism, and LCA Childcare and Community Care. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, she held an Assistant Principal position and undertook a range of leadership roles, including Year Head and Leaving Certificate Applied Coordinator.

Her extensive experience across both academic and vocational education, combined with her leadership responsibilities, has provided her with a deep understanding of curriculum development, inclusive pedagogies, differentiated instruction and student support. These experiences continue to inform and enrich her work in teacher education today.

Caroline teaches on the following modules across the Professional Master of Education programme: 

• ED6329 - The Pedagogy of Home Economics
• ED6361 - Specialist Subject Pedagogies 2 (Home Economics)
• ED6330 - PME School Placement 1
• ED6360 - PME School Placement 2 School Placement Support Sessions (SPHE)
• ED6359 - PME Professional Research Paper

• Pedagogy of Home Economics
• Sociocultural perspectives on curriculum, learning and assessment
• Curriculum and assessment theory and practice
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Education