Education Ambassador Michele McAlonan

Teacher at Cliftonville Integrated Primary in Northern Ireland

Education Ambassador for Northern Ireland
Education Ambassador for Northern Ireland

My journey with Into Film started 10 years ago when I signed up to run an Into Film Club as an extra-curricular activity. It soon became apparent that the use of film could play a major role in the teaching of literacy throughout the school.

For those pupils who may have difficulties 'putting pen to paper', the confidence they developed from film-related activities was invaluable!

Teacher and Into Film Education Ambassador, Michele McAlonan

The Into Film website offered many opportunities to extend my understanding and knowledge in relation to film as a teaching and learning tool. The excellent training and resources gave me the confidence to share the use of film for learning with colleagues as part of our CPD (Continued Professional Development).

I subsequently became Literacy Co-ordinator, which allowed me to focus on the use of film in the classroom. Initially, pupils from P1 to P7 attended the Into Film Festival and colleagues were supported to complete a follow-up activity relating to the film. Teachers quickly identified the high level of engagement during learning, and the enthusiasm and participation from pupils who could be deemed as ‘reluctant learners'. For those pupils who may have difficulties 'putting pen to paper', the confidence they developed from film-related activities was invaluable!

Collaborating with Into Film has had an amazing impact on teachers and pupils in our school, from Nursery to P7.

Teacher and Into Film Education Ambassador, Michele McAlonan

I am currently completing a Film for Learning project to become a Film Leader within school. Senior management are also involved in the training and the use of film has been prioritised this year. This will embed the use of film for teaching and learning for a long time to come!