(Wed. 1 March, 2023) – A dedicated KCETB teacher will be honoured tomorrow\u00a0 at a special ceremony in Croke Park and star in a nationwide video campaign alongside RTE newsreader Ray Kennedy.<\/p>\n
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Michael Farrell, a teacher of English and Geography at Kilkenny City Vocational School, has been selected as to take part in an inspiring ETB (Educational and Training Board)) Heroes<\/em> media campaign featuring former and current learners and staff who have excelled in their chosen field and who represent the best of what ETBs do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kilkenny City Vocational School (KCVS) is one of 13 schools, two further education and training colleges and 24 further education and training centres operated by KCETB that is this week marking the inaugural ETB Week and ETB Day (2 March) alongside 15 other education and training boards around the country. The ETB Heroes campaign will be launched tomorrow at a special event in Croke Park for ETB Week, organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael is the only \u201cunsung hero\u201d of the campaign and will join RTE newsreader and journalist Ray Kennedy, singer\/songwriter Tol\u00fc Makay, TG4 sports presenter M\u00e1ire Treasa N\u00ed Dhubhghaill and Olympian swimmer Jack McFadden in the ETB Heroes campaign alongside five students they have inspired.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Taking part in the video campaign with Michael is his former student Alauddin Mohammad who came to Ireland six years ago as a refugee with his two older brothers. His parents couldn\u2019t join them and Alauddin spoke no English but got involved in everything in KCVS where Mr Farrell was a big influence. Alauddin said Michael took him under his wing in loco parentis<\/em> and was always there for him. Now, as a 1st<\/sup> Year accountancy student at SETU Waterford, Alauddin said Michael \u201chelped to make me the man I am today\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alauddin will join Mr Farrell and the other heroes in Croke Park tomorrow for ETB Day at which the video campaign will be premiered. Alauddin and Mr Farrell have also been invited by ETBI to present one of the ETB Excellence Awards which will be hosted at the same event by RTE newsreader and fellow ETB Hero Ray Kennedy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael, who is from Freshford, joined the staff of Kilkenny City Vocational School in 2011. He commented, \u201cI was completely shocked when I heard the news and quite overwhelmed. It\u2019s great for the entire staff of KCVS. I love teaching and am still in contact with former pupils who often drop in to say hello\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n