Going back to school can be a busy and challenging time for teachers. Balancing work, personal life, and maintaining overall well-being is crucial for a successful and fulfilling academic year. Here are some tips to help teachers make their life/school balance easier:

1. Plan and Organise: Start the school year by creating a well-structured plan for both your professional and personal life. Use tools like planners or digital calendars to schedule your daily tasks, lesson plans, grading, and personal commitments. Organising your time can help you stay on top of your responsibilities. Get your ultimate planning tool here: http://www.muinteoircole.com/store/p100/The_Post_Primary_Teacher_Planner_23%2F24.html
2. Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable goals for each week or month. Prioritise the most important tasks and avoid overloading yourself. Setting realistic expectations will help reduce stress and make your workload more manageable. You do not need to plan for the entire year before you return.
3. Create a Positive Classroom Environment: A positive classroom environment can significantly impact your overall teaching experience. Foster a sense of community, respect, and support within your classroom, as it will lead to a smoother and more enjoyable teaching process.
4. Delegate When Possible: Don't hesitate to delegate responsibilities when appropriate. Involve students in classroom tasks or ask for help from colleagues or teacher assistants. Sharing responsibilities can lighten your workload.
5. Focus on Work-Life Balance: Make time for yourself and your loved ones. Engage in hobbies, exercise, or any activity that helps you unwind and relax. A well-balanced personal life will make you more energised and focused during school hours.
6. Avoid Overcommitment: While it's tempting to take on numerous extracurricular activities or committees, be mindful of your limits. Overcommitting can lead to burnout and negatively impact your performance in both personal and professional spheres.
7. Utilise Technology and Resources: Explore education-related technology and resources that can streamline your tasks, such as online grading tools, lesson planning apps, and classroom management software.
8. Collaborate with Colleagues: Work closely with your fellow teachers and share ideas, resources, and strategies. Collaboration can lead to more effective teaching methods and support from colleagues during challenging times.
9. Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental health. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and engage in regular exercise. Consider mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga to manage stress. Do not jeopardise your health for school.
10. Communicate with Management: If you feel overwhelmed or need support, don't hesitate to communicate with your school's management. They may be able to provide resources or adjust your workload if necessary.
11. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between your work and personal life. Avoid taking work home whenever possible, and designate specific times for school-related tasks.
12. Reflect and Adapt: Regularly reflect on your teaching methods and time management strategies. Be willing to adapt and try new approaches to improve your work-life balance.

Remember that achieving a healthy life/school balance is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself and allow room for adjustments. By implementing these tips, you can create a more enjoyable and fulfilling teaching experience for yourself while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
 

Toodles,
​Múinteoir Cole

Attending a job interview as a language teacher can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. To help you excel in your interview and increase your chances of securing a position in a post primary school, I have compiled a list of useful tips and sample questions specifically tailored for language teaching positions. By following these tips and preparing your responses, you can showcase your expertise, passion, and suitability for the role.
Tips for Language Teachers Attending an Interview:

1. Understand the Curriculum: Familiarise yourself with the curriculum guidelines for the language you teach in the post primary school setting. Understand the language learning outcomes, content, and assessment requirements especially with the New Junior Cycle. This will demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to aligning your teaching with the curriculum.
   
2. Highlight Your Teaching Approach: Be prepared to explain your teaching approach, emphasising student-centered methodologies. Discuss strategies you use to promote active learning, encourage student engagement, and develop communicative competence in the language. Showcase your ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
   
3. Incorporate Cultural Elements: Highlight the importance of incorporating cultural aspects into language teaching. Discuss how you integrate cultural topics, traditions, and real-world contexts to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the target language and its culture.
   
4. Utilise Technology in Language Teaching: Demonstrate your familiarity with technology-enhanced language teaching tools and resources. Discuss how you integrate technology to create interactive and engaging learning experiences, such as multimedia presentations, language learning apps, and virtual communication platforms.
   
5. Assessment and Evaluation Methods: Be prepared to discuss your approach to assessing and evaluating students' language proficiency. Explain how you use a variety of assessment methods, such as oral presentations, written assignments, role plays, and listening comprehension activities, to accurately measure students' progress and provide constructive feedback.
   
6. Differentiation for Diverse Learners: Discuss how you adapt your teaching methods and materials to cater to students with diverse language abilities and learning styles. Demonstrate your ability to provide additional support for struggling students and challenge advanced learners.
   
7. Communication and Collaboration: Highlight the importance of effective communication and collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues. Describe your methods for fostering open lines of communication, providing timely feedback, and promoting parent involvement in their child's language learning journey.
   
8. Integration of Language Skills: Explain how you integrate the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing - in your lessons. Discuss the strategies you use to develop each skill and how you create opportunities for authentic language use and meaningful communication.
   

Sample MFL-Specific Interview Questions:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtcUfBwI7Fx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Preparing for a language teacher interview requires thorough research, thoughtful responses, and a clear understanding of effective language teaching methodologies. By following the tips provided and practicing your answers to the sample MFL-specific questions, you will be better equipped to showcase your expertise, passion, and ability to create engaging language learning experiences. Some of the questions they ask may be in your language so be prepared!
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Good luck with your interview!

Toodles,
Múinteoir Cole

Hello lovely humans,

I hope you're all keeping well as we head towards the end of the school year! I have been meaning to write this for some time but life & school has been crazy.

I am just going to quickly run through my experience of the AP one application and interview process. 
So the job was advertised and I knew immediately I wanted to apply for it as I know I'd like to go down the leadership route. I filled out the application form and left it till very last minute as I didn't actually realise how much was involved in the application. Looking back I managed it well but I definitely should have given more time to allow others to read it just in case of any errors.

I had one final read and submitted the application on the morning of application deadline. After submitting I heard back that day that they received my application and then two days later I received word of an interview offer for the following week. I went to my principal and asked that my classes be covered and he was extremely supportive.

I immediately got in touch with Kenneth from Education Interview Hub and he organised a meeting with Jennifer. This mock interview was the biggest help to me and honestly made me so confident. Jennifer put me at ease and gave me advice on my answers and really pushed me to be the best I could be. Her advice and wealth of knowledge was absolutely priceless and I don't know how I would have managed without it. Before meeting with Jennifer I had researched AP interview questions and asked friends in leadership about the interview and what could be asked so `I had some prep done.

After meeting with Jennifer she sent me on a recording of my mock interview so I was able to sit down and analyse it and go back over and tidy up some of the answers I had given. On the morning of the interview I practiced asking myself difficult questions and answered them whilst driving to the interview to get me in the zone. Once parked outside (30 mins early) I took out my summarised notes to go over and ran over some of my examples/ scenarios that I had intended to use that showed my leadership skills.

In the interview I actually felt calm immediately - in my head I told myself to just breathe and all the work I had done would stand to me and to give it my best. To be honest I felt like I started to answer well but then at some points throughout the interview I found myself losing focus and structure in my answers and just had to ask for the question to be repeated again. I honestly was proud of how I did in my first AP interview but I know that I have work to do to be the best. 

As you would have seen I was unsuccessful. I don't mind saying this as it was my first interview and I still felt I put my best foot forward and it was an AMAZING learning experience. Personally I suffered a lot with change in the past year and would become nervous and anxious about things that never bothered me before, but for this interview I was CALM. This was a huge win for me as I know now that I am back to who I was before having Wesley (not in a bad way - more so a strong mental health way) and that the pregnancy hormones which played a huge role in making me anxious were finally gone!

I came 2nd out of 4 on the interview panel and I am thrilled for who got it as I feel it was well deserved. I have more clarity on what I can do better next time and there definitely will be a next time!

Toodles,
​Múinteoir Cole 

Hello lovely humans,

I promised this blog sooooooooo long ago but life has been so hectic with moving, mom life, etc.

I'm gonna jump straight to it! We found out on the Wednesday that we would have an incidental inspection on Friday in school - frantically everybody starting planning and panicking. I (for the first time in my life) remained calm - I knew I was prepared because I decided this year I was getting on top of paperwork so that I wouldn't panic and stress in situations like this - plus I wouldn't have time to get my sh*t together in 2 nights having a baby!

All of my plans were in digital format and if they were needed I could show them that way - I didn't print them. Our subject dept info I had digitally & it is also in the staffroom. I did have to try and get the German one up to date as we just had a general MFL one and I thought it would be best to German specific info if it were needed. 

I had my weekly personal plan in my planner which I have printed in a folder and I use this to keep me on track weekly anyways! I knew I was over prepared and also felt confident that they weren't going to be looking at plans and they wanted to see teaching - that is what these inspections are for. I DID NOT change my lessons or plan anything extra or fancy just because an inspector was coming.

I found out 5 mins before class started that the inspector was coming to me, I was actually buzzing because I wanted to have someone watch my teaching - I wanted to know how I was getting on! The bell rang and my 5th years arrived into class - I told them the inspector would be joining us, they actually started panicking lol! The inspector arrived over and introduced himself - he was so lovely and explained to the class he was there just to have a look at what we were doing and to ignore him.

My class content:

• Teaching modulation
• Practice modulation on paper
• Add modulations to flat.io and listen (Music Technology)
• Performance - Sight reading clap back and 1 piece per student

My feedback:

• I clearly set out the learning intentions and ticked them off like a to do list as I went along which provided great structure for the students.
• I had a great knowledge of my subject and teaching pedagogy. I used various teaching methods.
• I taught an idea/ new content then practiced with students and then checked for learning. Even after moving onto something else I rechecked for learning "Remind me of how that works again...".
• I encouraged students to perform and corrected mistakes and helped them to fix them too.
• I used impressive technology and really have a good grasp on it - my system on OneNote was really good and it is a fantastic resource for my students.
• I could have allowed more room for students to work together but with the type of exercise it would be done in a later lesson (only criticism) - I could have had the students critique each others modulations on reflection.
• The students understood the clearly explained tasks and were supported throughout the learning.

The inspector took note of some programmes I used:
OneNote
Classroom Screen
Flat.io

At the end I was given feedback and asked about Child Protection.

1. Who is a mandated person?
2. Who is the go to in my school?

Overall I was so so happy with how the inspection went - the feedback was amazing! I asked if there was anything that I could improve on and I was told if they had to really nitpick at me then they would say the group work between students but said that it was minor because of the type of lesson. Honestly it was not half as bad as inspections that I did through college and I would do it again tomorrow if given the chance.

More info on inspections here: https://assets.gov.ie/25258/e2f3707cfb3448db8cb0752613d031bd.pdf 

How can you have an inspection like this?

1. Get your planning in order - keep plans simple.
2. Have confidence in yourself - you are great.
3. Hype yourself up and know that you will be fine.
4. Use things like classroomscreen.com to help with your timing.
5. Make sure to set out learning intentions/ outcomes! (Very important)
6. Have your weekly plan in front of you so you know what you're doing if you blank.
7. Don't try something new and crazy on the day - your students will be wondering what you are up to!
8. Always check for learning and that students understand what is happening in the lesson.
9. Know your info on child protection.
10. Believe in your self and be calm.

Toodles,
Nicole x

​PS Happy 2022!

Hello lovely humans,

It has been wayyyyy too long!!!! I had intended to post her more often but it is crazyyyy at the moment to find time for this.

Just checking in with you all to let you know how mom and teacher life is working out for me. Well... I think it's great! Going back to school wasn't hard for me as I felt like it was the right time for me to get back into a routine (I need routine for my head) and also Wesley was at a good age where he was a happy baby and didn't get strange or upset when spending time away from me.

Before going back to school I did send Wesley a couple of times to the child minder so he would be used to going there when I would go back to school. Why did I go with a child minder you might ask?.. The creche I had intended to send Wesley to wouldn't take him until he was 1 unfortunately but now looking back I am thrilled that it worked out this way as he goes to the best child minder (Not immediate family member). He is so well looked after and honestly my mind is at ease leaving him in great hands - he loves it too!

On the first week back my mom came over in the mornings to make sure I could manage getting out the door on time - I was nervous about this in the lead up to it. I didn't know would I manage as I used to be a 'roll out of bed and into the car' person. I never get up earlier than I need and also I like to get up and out the door in the least amount of time possible!

In week 2 I had my morning and night time routine in full flow and since then I feel like it has been a breeze (I know this doesn't happen for everyone). I'll give you an insight into how my night and morning goes to get out the door in 30 mins!

Night routine:
Get bottles & food for Wesley ready
Pack Wesley's bag & put in car
Pack my school bag
Get my clothes ready
Get my lunch ready

Morning routine:
7am: Alarm goes off
7am - 7:20am: Dress myself, change Wesley's nappy (He stays in PJs and is fed at child minders), have a look at my phone
7:20am - 7:30am: Put fridge stuff into lunch bags, Make coffee (essential), put all bags into car, put dressing gown on Wesley, put Wesley into the car and leave.

*I might add that I am on my own with Wesley in the morning but his dad is there for the night time routine and does help a huge amount in making my life easier. He washes the bottles - I hateeeee this lol

These routines rarely change - but I can tell you if I don't follow the routine these times run a few minutes later (I do have plenty of time to spare but I would rather not be rushing)

Saying goodbye to Wesley in the mornings wasn't as bad or as hard as many told me it would be - but I think that knowing he is happy and in good hands is something I have really told myself to make it easier. He waves goodbye now and it melts my heart!

During the day I do think of him and miss him - but that's only when I have time to think, which is rare unfortunately with my busy timetable! I do have early finishes on Tuesdays and Fridays which is really nice and I appreciate the time we have at the weekend together. I try to avoid bringing home any school work in the evenings or at weekends and only do this work when in school or if the boys are watching a match (I'm not a football fan). I have definitely become so efficient and smart with my time... which is a whole other blog post which I will do soon! But for now...

Toodles,
Nicole

Hello everyone, 

Long time no write... life has been crazy busy!

Before I get started, this is not me boasting or trying to make you feel bad. You must do what you can manage, I'm just letting you know what I managed when doing the PME & working. I often get asked can you manage work and the PME and the answer is definitely YES, you just need to find a balance that suits you.

I have worked since my Leaving Cert (Dec before the LC was when I started). I worked every weekend unless I booked off time. When I started college my normal weekend shift was Saturday 3pm - 3am (ish) and Sunday 12 - 10pm.  I used to then drive to Cork at 10pm on a Sunday when I finished work to be in college for Monday morning! My mother always said "I'll pay for college but I'm not funding your social life". I had a car to run, a phone bill to pay and obviously my college nights out so giving up work during college was not an option.

When I started the PME I continued my weekend work like I did during my undergrad. It wasn't easy and I had to be good with my time BUT it was possible. In PME 2 I even took on another job during the week days towards the end of the year. 
You might ask did I just work, teach and go to college? No I also danced, had fun with friends, went on nights out, went on holidays - life was not shit! How did I manage to do all of this??? I did it and didn't spend time wondering how I would do it all.

A typical week during PME 2:
Monday - college & dance in the evening & Monday Club after dance!
Tuesday - school & work in the evening
Wednesday - school & maybe work in the evening
Thursday - school & work in the evening
Friday - school, drive home, time with friends
Saturday - dancing & work
Sunday - gave grinds, work & drive to Cork

I had time between the places I had to be, so in that time I had to do college work and placement work and be as efficient as I possibly could. Distractions had to be minimised and I had to really priortise what I had to do immediately! During the school day when I had free classes I would plan my lessons and sort my resources. I aimed to do my school related/ placement related work in school and my college related work (assignments) at home/ in college.

I used to promise myself treats to work harder - for example "Right Nicole you can't go to Monday Club unless you get this 1000 word section of your assignment done". Sounds hilarious & mad? You're right! But it worked! I didn't spend half as much time on social media as I do now and I also was really good at ploughing through work and keeping focused. I made a list and made my way through it ticking it off as I went. 

Now remember I'm not saying you have to do what I did but it is definitely possible to have a part time job (even if it is just a Saturday) on the side while doing PME. Best of luck to any PME's starting, I hope you get on well and remember ASK FOR HELP when you need it. It's not a sign of weakness!

Until next time (hopefully not as long)
Toodles,

​Múinteoir Cole

Why do we dread the new staffroom so much? We're not teenagers anymore...

I suppose that fear of knowing nobody or being on our own never fully leaves us. Some are better able to handle it than others. A lot of the time the principal will walk you into the staffroom introduce you to 1 or 2 people and then leave you be. So it's up to you then to figure your way around the staffroom.
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Some staffrooms have a 'sit wherever you want' approach others have 'assigned seats' - I HATE THIS! Not actually assigned by the principal but they assign themselves to a seating arrangement and never change. There is nothing worse than sitting in someones else seat... as if their name is on it! Ridiculous if you ask me! I have been in staffrooms like this - don't fret about it just pull in a chair if one isn't available - you'll soon find a place to sit permanently.

It can be very daunting as a newbie entering the staffroom so my advice is:

1. Don't be afraid to ask for help or ask where something is.
2. Introduce yourself and get to know names of staff members
3. Don't try and avoid the staffroom - that makes it harder in the long run.
4. Avoid eating on your own in your classroom or in your car, I know the nerves are terrible but it is best if you throw yourself into the deep end.
5. Get to know other new staff members - you're in this together!
6. Attend social outings organised

I'm writing this post to highlight how daunting it can be entering a new staffroom in the hope that anyone reading this will look out for the newcomers in the future.

Some tips for current staff members welcoming a new team member:

1. Introduce yourself - don't have them sitting in a room where they don't know anyone's name, you make the first move to help them feel more comfortable.
2. Check in with them regularly to see if they're finding everything okay.
3. Say hello when passing in the corridors.
4. Invite them to sit with you at lunch if they seem to be on their own.

It's a great idea to have a social committee or wellbeing committee to organise events for staff members at the start of the year - this helps to welcome everyone back and also helps the new staff members to meet the staff and settle in.

Ideas for events:
Dinner
Drinks
Bowling - highly recommend!
Laser Tag
Hike/ Walk
Cycling 
Tea/ Coffee Morning
Exercise Activities

Hope you enjoyed the read and will help a newbie out this coming August!

Toodles,
Múinteoir Cole