Dr Josephine Bleach will retire from her role as Director of the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) at National College of Ireland this summer.
The Early Learning Initiative at National College of Ireland addresses educational underachievement in marginalised communities working with and through local communities, to support educational achievement.
Josephine has been ELI Director since 2008 and has had a significant impact on the lives of children North Inner Dublin and far beyond. During this time, she has grown ELI’s programmes, geographical reach, influence and impact. It is a testimony to her leadership that when Josephine started in 2008, ELI was providing services to approximately 1,000 people. Today ELI impacts the lives of around 25,000 individuals, children, parents and professionals.
Josephine began her career as a primary school teacher and was involved with initiatives, including Home School Community Liaison; Early Start Pre-School Intervention, and School Development Planning Support Service.
She brought this experience to the ELI and was instrumental in securing the Area Based Childhood Programmes for Dublin Docklands and East Inner City in 2014; the development of the ELI site at Grangegorman in 2024, and securing the Community Families National Host agency contract for NCI in 2025. Josephine was also a founding member of the Home Visiting Alliance and the Community Families National Oversight Group.
Josephine is a respected academic, contributing internationally to her research interests of community development using action research; educational disadvantage; parental involvement in children’s education; professional development for educators and early learning. Under her stewardship the ELI has developed a significant research culture and become an authoritative voice in its areas of expertise.
Josephine’s tenure has been marked by an unwavering dedication to supporting children, families and communities. Her work alongside the ELI team and its many supporters has ensured children can reach their life, career and educational goals. Josephine has improved the lives of so many people, through her visionary leadership.
The ELI team paid this tribute,
Dr Josephine Bleach is a powerhouse of the education sector and a one in a million person. Social justice is always at the heart of Josephine’s actions, and she has worked tirelessly to advocate for children in disadvantaged communities. Josephine’s drive and passion is immeasurable, and if she sets her focus on something, she will achieve it. Josephine has touched the lives of so many people in Dublin and across Ireland. She is an inspirational female leader, academic, mentor, teacher, mother, grandmother and wife.
Professor Gina Quin, President of NCI said;
Josephine has made a remarkable contribution to the development of ELI since she joined National College of Ireland in 2008. During this time there has been a very significant expansion of services to families and children living in disadvantage, with a clear focus on how literacy and numeracy and the value of education can change lives, break the cycle and improve life chances. Josephine's leadership has been exceptional, and her expertise, grounded in academic excellence, has been a beacon of light to colleagues, families and to policy makers. We wish her every success in her next chapter and look forward to her continuing inspiration.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam paid tribute to Josephine,
I want to pay tribute and acknowledge the remarkable leadership of Dr Josephine Bleach as she retires from the Early Learning Initiative at NCI. The impact of her work and that programme on children and families across this city has been utterly profound and thanks to Josephine I know it will continue long into the future.
Everyone at NCI the ELI and all its supporters wish Josephine every happiness as she retires. We know she will continue to fight for social justice and to advocate for educational equality for all. She will be missed by thousands of people across the country.
Additional Notes:
Josephine’s successor as ELI Director, Rebecca Moore, has been appointed and will take up the position in July of this year.