In an attempt to garner support among parents, a prominent ASTI leader is to address the State's largest parents' group this weekend on the subject of teachers and their changing role.
Mr Pat Cahill, the union's new vice-president, will address the Congress of Catholic Secondary Schools Parents Association (CSPA) in Galway. The CSPA's official spokeswoman is Ms Barbara Johnson, who last year angered teachers after comments she made about their pay campaign.
Mr Cahill has been among a group of ASTI members who in the last two years have clashed repeatedly with general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, and president, Ms Catherine Fitzpatrick.
However, he was elected vice-president of the union at its annual conference last week and hopes to become the union's president in a year's time.
Mr Cahill said he would be telling the parents about the difficulties confronting teachers today. He said they were often expected to tackle problems caused by trends in wider society.
He said he would also tell them about the ASTI's campaign and why it had developed in a certain way over the last year.
He said there might be a negative reaction from some parents, but he was always prepared to meet people and discuss the issues.
"I believe it is important to get parents on board and get them to see our side of the story," he said.
Mr Cahill is due to address the conference on Saturday at the Galway Bay Hotel in Oranmore.