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    Inspire & Empower

    The Not-So-Secret Diary of Rachel O Connor

    • Categories Inspire & Empower, Teacher Tips & Tricks, The Not-So-Secret Diary of
    • Date May 10, 2023

    The Not-So-Secret Diary of a Teacher

    My name is Rachel O’ Connor, I am in my 10th year as Principal of Ramsgrange Community School, situated on the Hook Peninsula in Southwest Wexford. I will begin in a new position as Deputy Director of NAPD on September 1st.

    My alarm goes off…

    at least three times before I mange to drag myself out of bed! I am a big fan of the 5-minute snooze, I need to ease myself into each and every day!

    Psst… check out our blog-post on morning routines HERE.

    I am responsible for…

    everything! Well, that may not be exactly true, but it is how I feel as a School Leader sometimes! I see my main responsibility as ensuring that our school gets up and running each day, that our school community is safe, that teaching and learning will take place and that our teachers are facilitated to do their job as best as they can.

    My typical day...

    a typical day for me is rise and shine at 6.20am (after 3 x snoozes as described above!), then just over 1 hour is spent in very high level, intense negotiations getting our two five years olds to dress themselves and have their breakfasts without any major international incidences breaking out! I leave for work at 7.30am each day and arrive at about 8.10am. I catch up with some emails, then out on the corridors for 1st bell to say hi and good morning to people. Then my day is a mixture of meetings, administrative tasks, health and safety issues, behavioural issues, covering for absent colleagues, manning the lunch queue, walking the track, picking up litter, turning off lights, more admin tasks and so on. I try to leave work before 5 each day to collect my kids from afterschool club before 5.30pm.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by WILL Network (@networkwill)

    The best part of my job is...

    people, people, people – I love interacting with people, students, staff, that is what energises me.

    The most challenging part of my job is…

    The sheer administrative burden of the job now pulls me away from the best part of my job. In a recent study conducted by NAPD and IPPN school leaders cite that they spend far too much time on administrative tasks and are spending far less time on leading learning and teaching (Comparative survey 2016 and 2023). The most challenging aspect is trying to balance the two.

    Psst.. Read our article “What’s going on with Teacher Workload” here?

    I am inspired by…

    working mothers! Women who get up and show up for work every day, despite that fact that they had 3 hours sleep because a little one has chicken pox, the women who carry their jobs, their households and all the physical tasks and emotional burdens that go with it. They inspire me.

    My number 1 tip for teachers is…

    one day at a time, surround yourself with positive people who inspire you and lift you up. Invest in your professional development. Be a champion for the students sitting in front of you – you may be the only champion they have!

    My favourite teaching & learning strategy is…

    Group work. A well-constructed lesson around group work is very effective. I love watching students engage in peer mentoring, collaboration, debate, and teamwork. It is the epitome of the skills we try to develop in our students.

    After work…

    Then its’ being present with my children for the evening, I rarely bring work home anymore (as Leaders we have our fair share of evening time meetings).  I think it’s important to acknowledge and accept that if the world will  keep spinning if I don’t manage to finish my to-do list in any one day, then the to-do list can wait until tomorrow! After bedtime, I usually watch some golf on TV or a good boxset, I avoid the news as much as possible (I only read headlines now). Then I read a little of a good crime novel every night before I go to sleep!

    The motto I live by…

    your best is good enough – and have some fun along the way!

    A huge thank you to Rachel for sharing her not-so-secret diary – congratulations to Rachel on her new job!

    Would you like to share your diary or like to suggest a teacher, principal, SNA or education professional whose diary you would like to read?!

    Contact us at info@rahoo.ie to nominate yourself or someone else – ah go on!

    Go on, go on, go on!

    back to school tips

    Back to School Tips for Teachers

    September 18, 2023 No Comments

    Going back to school is a nerve-wrecking time for everyone – including teachers! It is a brand new start; a chance to do things differently and establish a new routine. We asked some of our followers what are their “Back to School” tips for teachers.

    Read More »
    rahoo

    Are you confident using Formative Assessment methods?

    September 5, 2023 No Comments

    Did you know that 74% of teachers do not feel confident with formative assessment teaching methodologies?
    As we approach the new school year, this survey conducted by Rahoo Training in 2020, and its findings, should be at the forefront of a school leader’s mind.

    Read More »
    Niamh_Cullen_Principal

    Webinar 8th November 2023: How to Enhance the Teaching & Learning of Maths with Formative Assessment

    September 5, 2023 No Comments

    “How to Enhance the Teaching & Learning of Maths with Formative Assessment” is 1 hour in duration including Q&A opportunities.

    This webinar will be hosted by a Nadine Lyons, Maths Lead Practitioner at South View School Dubai.

    Read More »

    What is the Silent Phase?

    June 13, 2023 No Comments

    Supporting EAL (English as an Additional Language) students in schools can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help. Here are some ways that schools can support EAL students.

    Read More »

    Refer a Friend!

    May 25, 2023 No Comments

    Give 10%, Get 10% with Rahoo’s Refer a Friend Programme!

    Read More »

    The Not-So-Secret Diary of Rachel O Connor

    May 10, 2023 No Comments

    My name is Rachel O’ Connor, I am in my 10th year as Principal of Ramsgrange Community School, situated on the Hook Peninsula in Southwest Wexford. I will begin in a new position as Deputy Director of NAPD on September 1st 2023.

    Read More »

    Tag:Hibernia College, Lesson Ideas, PME, Student Teacher

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