Lead the Way

Are you part of the team or leading the team? A brilliant explanation by Principal Paul Reidy.

Trina Golden learned from experience to stop worrying about the inspectors.

5 minute listen with Principal Trina Golden

Dr. Ciara O' Donnell's specialisms are in the areas of curriculum, pedagogy and leadership but in particular teacher professional development . She has had a long and varied career in teacher CPD and As National Director of the PDST she led Ireland's first cross sectoral and multi disciplinary support service. She has worked in CPD since the early days and has lots of insights to share. In this episode, she will chat about the history of CPD, the quality of CPD provision for Irish teachers as well as how teachers' own approaches to CPD can play a key role also.

Dr. Ciara O' Donnell knows the new curriculum developments are a big ask for teachers.

Ever wonder where and when teacher CPD in Ireland began to take on a formal structure? Dr. Ciara O'Donnell explains it succinctly here.

Dr Ciara O'Donnell is back to explore a topic she has a wealth of experience in; teacher CPD.

Paul Fitzgerald is a primary school teacher at Holy Trinity National School in Leopardstown, Dublin. He has been a teacher just two years having had a former career in the banking sector since 2002. He is here today to talk about making the transition to teaching, why he did it and what he has noticed upon entering the profession. https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzgeraldpfp/

NQT Paul Fitzgerald, who worked in banking before deciding to become a teacher in his 40's, talks about how he could use skills he already had to navigate this career change confidently.

The Droichead Programme, an NQT's view with Paul Fitzgerald.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzgeraldpfp?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BQjTnxeV0TquphPYlHdfiZg%3D%3D

Seyi Agbede is from Nigeria and in the process of registering with the Teaching Council. Here is one barrier to the Irish language requirement he is quickly discovering.

Micheál Brennan is a primary school teacher based in St Stephen’s National School, Johnstown, Navan, Co. Meath. He has been teaching for 9 years and has just completed his first year as an APII and completed the MESL in UL back in January. He is also involved with the management committee of Navan Education Centre and the local INTO branch. He will talk to us about the steps he has taken towards leadership and about dealing with the setbacks along the way.

Graham Maher is a secondary school Business teacher in Clogher Road Community College, Crumlin, Dublin. He is here to share his Masters in Educational Leadership research he completed in 2022-23 with Maynooth University titled, ‘Outdoor Education: is it meaningful education or jut a lovely day out?’ We will discuss his research and what he perceives as a result, to be the positives of and barriers to outdoor education.

A quick preview of our next episode on Outdoor education.

Ann Marie McGovern finished her research Masters in Maynooth in 2018 titled, ‘A case study of parents’ and children’s experiences of family life and in marginalised communities with implications for parenting interventions, educational welfare policy and practice.’ It specifically looked at parenting interventions in DEIS schools. This focus was informed by her previous role as Home School Community Liaison. She has since gone on to complete a secondment with TESS, Tusla’s Educational Support Service, to manage the HSCL scheme.

Dave Tidswell is an Assistant Principal in St. Clement’s College, Limerick. After completing his undergrad in Science Education closely followed by the Prof Dip in Maths Education in UL, Dave began his studies in school leadership as a student of the PDSL and progressed to the Masters of Ed in School Leadership. In this episode I will be discussing the focus of his Masters thesis which was titled, ‘Trust in Irish Schools,  towards a definition.'

Rena Bright also known online as The Calm Coach, talks to us today about her own challenging journey through the first 10 years of being a primary school teacher. An Adult diagnosis of ADHD explained much of her struggles.  Experiencing burnout as a primary school teacher, led to her personal growth journey and onto gaining a qualification in Coaching, Now, she hopes to support others to prevent burnout. We also explore how diversity in teaching can only happen when all are welcomed to train as teachers.

Ultan MacMathúna is the Director of Dublin West Education Centre for the past two years. Having been a Principal for 22 years in two schools in Dublin, he talks about his leadership journey, his new role and the benefits of teacher education to a person's career trajectory. An insightful and inspiring discussion.

Living in Oranmore, Co. Galway, Dr. Fidelma Healy Eames, PhD, MSc(Ed), BEd., has a long background in teaching and learning and teacher education. She began offering ‘Learning to Learn’ and Wellbeing courses to schools and colleges nationally from 2002 with a team of specially trained teachers. In 2006 she published ‘Switching on for Learning: A Student Guide to Exam & Career Success.' Fidelma is lead educator and director of Study and Careers, a Galway-based education, wellbeing and careers consultancy.  Today, Fidelma talks to us about her new book. Two and a half years in the making, she was commissioned to write this book, The Gifted Learner, in the Spring of 2020 .

Karen Jordan is Principal of St Catherine’s National school under Church of Ireland management, a school located in Dublin 8. Currently, the school has eight full time teachers, four Special Education Teachers and four special needs assistants. St Catherine’s is a primary school battling for almost a decade for upgraded classroom accommodation. Currently, 18 staff are forced to use one disabled bathroom. Karen talks about the highs and lows of her leadership journey.

Des Sutton and Meree O’Sullivan worked together as colleagues since 1994 when Des moved from the job of Principal in Ballyroan, Co. Laois into what was at the time the CBS in Portlaoise. The pair clicked as they both had a common vision of education and a desire to help the student who needed it most. Meree, came to Laois from Donegal aged 11 and stayed working in the same school throughout her career, eventually becoming deputy Principal. They talk to us today about their experiences and indeed that all important dynamic that is required along school leaders in any school.

Martin Hanly is teaching Principal at Edmonton National School in Kilucan, Westmeath. The school had been facing the threat of closure in the last decade due to declining numbers but in 2021, students returned from their Easter holidays to a completely revamped facility. Martin shares the highs, low and the learning from both experiences.

Principal Regina Halpin has experienced cancer not once but twice and here she talks to Lead the Way about the challenges she faced, the trust she had to place in others to take over her role and the long and winding road back to physical and emotional recovery and ultimately to a new identity. An honest account of coping with a personal crisis and the impact it made on her on so many levels.  

Linda Quigley Boland is the Home School Community Liaison for Esker Educate Together School, Lucan, Dublin. IN her fourth year in the role, she would like to share her experience of what the role entails and inspire others to consider trying it. 

With two decades of experience in training, coaching and people development across multinationals, SMB and the public sector and with qualifications in psychology, training and development, coaching and psychometric assessment, Gillian McGrath founded Change Grow Succeed in 2015. Gillian leverages a strengths-based approach - an experience that leaves clients feeling empowered, energised and looking forward. She addresses why teachers and school leaders come to her and how she can help them put strategies in place. 

Lesley Byrne has been Principal of Clogher Road Community College in Crumlin, Dublin since March 2019. Before this she was Deputy Principal in Belvedere College, Rotunda, Dublin. . Lesley talks to us today about how education should be fair and how we need to continue to talk about senior cycle reform for that very reason.

Ciara is the former National Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), and since departing that role last year she now works as an independent educational consultant, researcher and professional speaker in the areas of teacher education, school leadership and curriculum while also working as a part-time lecturer with Maynooth University. Here she explores the leadership opportunities in the wider landscape rather than the more traditional trajectories. 

Michelle Stowe is a teacher at heart and a restorative practice practitioner, trainer and consultant who is interested in creating relational communities that promote connection and wellbeing in the work place. In her role as the director of Connect RP she supports organisations in growing a restorative culture that puts people and relationships at the heart of the workplace.Restorative Practice (RP) is a values-based philosophy that encourages relational ways of thinking, communicating and being that promote connection and cultivate conflict literacy skills. She talks about her understanding of RP and the evolution of her company that you can read more about on www.connectrp.ie

Regina Halpin is Principal of Divine Mercy Balgaddy SNS in Lucan in Dublin. She was previously the Deputy Principal here for over 12 years. Regina is also an associate with the PDST Leadership team. Regina talks to us today about the stand out moments since she became a school leader and what she has taken away from them.

Sarah Roche is Principal of Kennedy College in New Ross, Co. Wexford.  This school is a Waterford and Wexford ETB school. Sarah is new to the role of Principal having taken a novel route through the world of education. She supports 27 teaching staff and four ancillary staff ad her refreshing approach to making the job manageable will hopefully inspire our listeners.

Hugh Coughlan is an Assistant Principal and teacher of French and Irish in North Presentation School, Farranree, Co Cork. Having worked there for 9 years and over 12 years experience in total. As part of his Masters of Education from UCC, Hugh focussed on integrating peer observation into his school, something, many school leaders find a challenge. Today he will share his strategy with us.

John Cullinane is Principal of St. Anne's Secondary School in Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary and was Deputy Principal in Presentation De la Salle College, Bagnelstown, Co. Carlow. John did an Advanced Diploma in Law and Education and is here today to share his learning around the many legal requirements schools are bound by and how he tries to implement practices that can help to prevent challenging situations getting to an advanced stage.

Dr. Sinéad McCauley Lambe is an Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education DCU. She is an enthusiastic advocate for inclusive and playful learning in the early years. Prior to joining DCU, she lectured in the area of Early Education in Marino Institute of Education and before that, taught for 11 years in St. Fintan’s Boy’s school in North William Street. Here, she discusses the role the Aistear framework can have in assisting teachers to support students with additional needs.