The Team

Kevin Sullivan, Education Manager

Kevin Sullivan leads the student programmes at Bridge21. He is responsible for planning and leading most of the workshops we run. This involves coordinating student visits, managing our brilliant volunteer team and writing about some of the cooler projects we run.

Kevin started as a volunteer mentor and enjoyed his time here so much that he refused to leave. In addition to leading the student programmes, he also helps out with various teacher CPD activities including the Level 9 Cert in 21C Teaching and Learning.

Kevin is a DIT  graduate in Applied Sciences and has completed an M.Sc. in Technology and Learning in TCD. He once applied for a higher diploma in primary education but didn’t get in. He wasn’t too happy at the time but he’s pretty happy with how things have worked out. He previously worked in the Computer Science and software sectors. He used to make accountancy software for a living but he doesn’t miss it too much.

“I love my job. I get to meet great people and have lots of fun. It is amazing to see the development of the students as they rise to meet the challenges they are presented with.”

Ciarán Bauer, Programme Manager

Having spent over twenty five years working in the IT industry, Ciarán moved into the educational sector and joined Bridge21 as Programme Manager in early 2012. As a former company director with Abacus Systems he performed a wide variety of roles encompassing administration, human resources, marketing, support and finance.

Ciarán started as a volunteer mentor with Bridge21 in Sept 2010 and took an active lead in many workshop activities. He also worked as a substitute teacher in one of our partner schools (CBS Westland Row) over a two year period.

In 2011, Ciarán joined Donabate & Portrane Educate Together National School, Board of Management as Chairperson and enjoys a challenging and rewarding relationship with the school. He is also a big baseball fan (one of the few in Ireland) and looks forward every year to following his beloved Red Sox all the way to the World Series.

Ciarán is a keen and passionate advocate for radical reform in Irish education. He completed the M.Sc. in Technology & Learning (2013) Trinity College Dublin.

“To be involved in education is a long sought after dream, but, to be here in Bridge21 at the cutting edge of change in education is a dream come true .”

Jake Byrne, CS-STEM CPD Programme Manager

Jake Rowan Byrne is Bridge21’s Programme Manager of the Google sponsored Computer Science and STEM Teacher Training Programme. Jake was the longest running volunteer mentor with Bridge21 since the programme began in October 2007. During that time, he became heavily involved in the Computer Science workshops, so he has years of experience using the Bridge21 learning models to teach both programming, game design and other digital media projects.

Jake is a DCU graduate in Mechatronic Engineering and completed both a Masters in Technology and Learning and a Ph.D. in Trinity College Dublin. He also has experience designing innovative technological solutions for industry and is a named co-inventor on a patent.  This new position provides the opportunity for him to pursue his passions for innovation, technology, design thinking and educational reform.

“It has been lots of fun mentoring at Bridge21 over the last number of years, it’s great to finally have the time to dedicate to this wonderful programme and be involved in the rollout of the STEM program to schools across Ireland.”

Brendan Tangney, Academic Director

Bridge21’s Academic Director is Brendan Tangney. He is a fellow of Trinity College Dublin and a senior lecturer in the School of Computer Science & Statistics. He is co-director of Trinity’s Centre for Research in IT In Education and former course director of the M.Sc. in Technology &Learning, both of which are collaborations between the School of Education and the School of Computer Science and Statistics. He is a recipient of a Provost’s Teaching Award for excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Computers & Education and the AACE Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching and is Treasurer of the International Association for Mobile Learning.

His prime research interest is in how technology can be used to assist in creating authentic learning experiences in which, in the words of the poet Gibran, the teacher “does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” To this end the Socratic observation “that asking questions is teaching” is his guiding principle.

“Bridge21 brings together the best in technology mediated learning, collaboration and innovative teaching strategies to offer a pragmatic alternative to our current content-overloaded and ‘learn to the test’ focused school system.”

Aibhín Bray, TfT Project Manager

Aibhín’s  primary role is to coordinate and manage the TfT Erasmus+ project, working with teachers, administrators and students at national and transnational levels. Her role involves the coordination of international workshops for participating teachers, and the development of suitable resources for these teachers and their students.

Aibhín is a University College Dublin graduate with a B.A. in Italian and Mathematics, and an M.Sc. in Computer Science. She was awarded her teaching qualification (H.Dip.Ed) from Trinity College Dublin, where she went on to graduate with a Ph.D. For her Ph.D., Aibhín adapted the Bridge21 model for curriculum-specific mathematics activities for use with secondary students and with teachers on a certified CPD course.