The Not-So-Secret Diary of a Teacher with Aoife Brennan
My name is Aoife Brennan, and I am currently working as a supply teacher in Cork. I graduated from Mary Immaculate College in October 2019 with a Bachelor of Education with a Specialism in Maths Education. I created my page ‘Múinteoir Aoife’ in 2018 to document my teaching journey and have become a prominent member of the Instagram teaching community.
I am passionate about Physical Education and have a particular love for the gymnastics strand. I am a certified Level 2 coach with Gymnastics Ireland. Thanks to my passion for children’s fitness, I was given the opportunity to work for School Fitness Ireland as their social media representative.
My alarm goes off...
and I turn over in the bed and switch it off, close my eyes and visualise the day ahead. I have started practicing manifestation whether that be first thing in the morning lying in bed, drinking my morning coffee or green tea before bed. Angelina Lombardo, the author of A Spiritual Entrepreneur says, “manifesting is making everything you want to feel and experience a reality… via your thoughts, actions, beliefs, and emotions.” I believe in asking the universe for what you want and keeping an eye out for signs of achievement or success while pursuing your goals.
I am responsible for...
14 schools in my designated cluster with two other supply teachers. A supply panel teacher is a teacher employed by a base school to cover short term substitutable absences (28 days or less) in the base school or receiving schools. I am ‘booked’ by principals through the app Team Up. It looks like a calendar. The principal of my base school requested that principals include: class level, start time, eircode and essential information relating to COVID in the description box. Since the beginning of the school year, I’ve been in a mainstream class setting, MGLD class, ASD class, Speech & Language class, Early Intervention Class and resource teaching across 10 schools in the cluster including two Gaelscoils.
My typical day...
is exciting but stressful. I can be booked weeks, days and a month in advance but can be booked the morning of. It really varies from school to school. I tend to check the Team Up app two or three times before I leave the house in the morning just in case a booking is cancelled or I receive a booking late. Some days, I don’t know what class or setting I’m walking into!
The best part of my job...
is getting to teach in up to 14 schools and getting the privilege of teaching so many wonderful children. I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to work in so many settings like ASD classes and Early Intervention Classes – I had only but read about in college. I am hoping my experience this year will give me an edge to job hunting this coming year and improve my teaching.
The most challenging part of my job...
walking into a new class. I pride myself on building a good relationship with students, staff and parents but it is difficult in such a role this year. I do miss the stability of having my own class. I strive on routine and being a supply teacher this year has really challenged me to step out of my comfort zone.
I am inspired by...
everyone in the education sector and how we continuously put the needs of the children of this country before our own on a daily basis. I am inspired by the kind, creative and innovative people I have come across on my teaching journey thus far and proud to call myself a teacher.
After work...
I come home and change straight into my comfy tracksuit bottoms! I enjoy going to the gym or for walks before it gets too dark. I work part-time for School Fitness Ireland as their social media representative so my evenings are dedicated to making social media posts or attending Zoom meetings with the team. At night to relax, I love to watch Netflix before bed, turn on my electric blanket and drink my tea.
The motto I live by...
is “For every problem, there is a solution” – wise words from my mom who always has encouraged me to be creative and think outside the box!
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