Role: Shared Teacher
Company: Bellaghy And St John Bosco Primary Schools
Track Record: “Teaching isn’t a job, it’s a privilege and I know this year in particular will be a truly unforgettable.”
What does your job entail?
I work as a shared teacher through the North East Education and Library Board’s Primary Integrating/Enriching Education Project (PIEE) which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and the Atlantic Philanthropies.
I teach in two schools just a few miles apart. The staff and pupils have been collaborating for the past three years. My role is to enhance this cross-community partnership.
It has been very rewarding getting to plan shared classes and bringing together pupils from both schools. Shared classes focus mainly on the World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and The Arts.
By promoting collaboration, the partnership enhances the quality of the education the children receive and enriches their experience. More than that, the project extends beyond the school walls and improves community relations.
Is it 9-5?
It isn’t that straightforward! I develop lesson plans after school until around 4.30pm. Anyone who works with children will know that the evening is spent printing, laminating, preparing resources and finalising assessments. All of which can be done in front of my favourite soaps of course!
How did you get into this line of work? Tell us about your qualifications and training
Even as a child, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. My sister and I used to role-play and I was always the teacher. I enjoy being around children, their fun-loving spirit, curiosity and imagination makes me smile several times a day; so I knew I would enjoy being a teacher and was determined to work to get there.
I studied my honours degree in geography at Queen’s University Belfast and then completed my PGCE in Liverpool in 2008. I enjoy teaching the World Around Us – it’s great to bring pupils outside and have them explore and find out about the world we live in.
It was great to get experience in England for a year but I was keen to come home to teach. Since then I have had four year-long posts at St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Toome; St Patrick’s Primary School, Portrush; Mount St Michael’s Primary, Randalstown and St Mary’s Primary, Bellaghy. I have taught mainly in foundation stage so this year I’m really enjoying teaching across all year groups.
What qualities are required for your job – personal and professional?
I have to be a good communicator, team player and flexible because I am working across two school systems – that is in addition to the standard teaching qualities of having good organisational and classroom management skills.
When working directly with the children you need creativity, passion and enthusiasm and lots and lots of energy. Let’s just say, you definitely need your Weetabix in the morning!
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
Everything is so novel; navigating the expectations of the role, not having my own classroom or pupils. There was a risk that I wouldn’t be a proper member of staff due to my dual role. Reflecting on the first term I realise that I don’t belong to two different staffs, I’m part of the one team.
Working with other teachers has been brilliant as we share ideas and resources so I’m learning a lot.
The greatest rewards come in the last 15 minutes of our shared classes. Initially the pupils are always a bit shy but then they start to relax and drop their barriers and soon they are laughing and chatting with one another and choosing to work together.
I can see that genuine, meaningful friendships are being formed, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy swimming, playing badminton, cooking, reading, going to the cinema and meeting friends for coffee and a chat. During the summer holidays I love to travel.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I recently qualified as an aerobics instructor and hope to take evening classes in Bellaghy which parents from both schools will attend.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
My dad passed away last Christmas. He was a farmer with a really good work ethic and used to say: “It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it well.”
When I had an exam or something big was coming up in life he knew just how to put me at ease and give me the confidence to believe I could do it. I hope that I have that quality too, the ability to listen to the pupils, empathise with them and support them as they strive for their goals.
Teaching isn’t a job, it’s a privilege and I know this year in particular will be a truly unforgettable.