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,
Nicole

Hey peeps,

Hope everyone enjoyed the last post!

The why behind starting these blog posts... 

Really I just wanted to actually just start writing my thoughts/ experiences and share them with you. I just think that this is a better way to share longer pieces of information and also I can link things/ resources/ ideas much easier into my blogs as I talk about them.

Writing is something that I used to hate in school - hated English as a subject but really enjoyed the class (friends, teacher, overall banter). But English and writing to sound 'good' was never my thing. I do like the idea of blogging here because I can be myself and if someone isn't happy with the way I write I don't care, ha lol xox

But honestly I'm just excited to start this and I've got loads planned and I'm hoping that one person gets something from it. Not looking to please the world with these!

It's something new, something out of my comfort zone and a goal that I had for 2021 - so here's to 'The Mind of Múinteoir Cole'

So for now,
Toodles,
Múinteoir Cole

Hello everyone,

Firstly welcome to my blog! AHHHHHHH can't believe I'm saying that. This post will be written as I would speak so keep your grammar rules to yourself. Thanks xox

I was inspired to write this after discussing on my instagram story about how the long commute used to be so beneficial to me! I was actually far more organised and productive when I had to drive 1 hour to school (work).

I suppose you're wondering... How? That's what I'm here to share!

Firstly let me just say that you should concentrate on the road while driving and if thinking/ planning in your head will distract you from that then do NOT take your mind off the road. I am also not telling you to do what I have done - I'm just sharing what worked for me.

How I used my time productively on my journey to school:

1. Singing - practicing songs for classes, learning song lyrics (song on repeat), planning mash ups by listening, creating harmonies and adjusting songs to suit my class needs.
2. Planning - when everyone hears the word planning they expect loads of writing, not me. I used to voice record myself talking through my day or week. If I had an idea I knew I could use in my teaching then I'd record myself talking through I; talking about the content of lessons & resources I would use.
3. Assessment - I would plan out assessments in my head and again would voice record anything that I want to include in an assessment. You could voice record yourself going through a whole test and type it when you got to school or in free time by quickly listening back.
4. LISTENING - I found the drive handy to listen to documentaries that I planned to show on YouTube (always vital to have a listen through in case there is anything inappropriate). I have bluetooth in my car so my phone easily connects to play through my sound system. I never needed to watch the videos if I had listened to them in the car because you'd know from listening if it was appropriate or not.
5. Podcasts & TED talks can be a nice way to spend your drive - it's a great way to keep your mind learning. I actually feel like I was always learning on the way to school.
6. Choreography - In my head I would plan out dances. I played whatever song it was on repeat and used to think about what moves would work.
7. Just general school ideas/ planning/ thinking time... whether it was for a show, class, extra curricular... I just found that having no distractions/ someone else interrupting made me extra productive and the ideas just flowed!

How I used my time productively on my journey home:

It's pretty much the same as above but depending on how my day went I may have had a different journey home.

1. Reflecting on my day everyday made me always questions what might work better.
2. Calming music - if it was a hectic day and my head was flying off me I used to listen to piano music (Einaudi) on the way home to clear my mind before getting home.

All of the above meant that I didn't spend as much time when it came to the written part of the above - planning lessons, making resources, typing out tests, etc. Also the fact that I spent 2 hours of my day driving meant that I was really productive and organised so that I had time to myself. I got my shit together!!!

I was on a 22 hour contract but I did have a few free classes. Every Friday, I planned my for the following week in one 40 minute class that I was off for. Yes I did just say that ONE 40 MINUTE CLASS OF PLANNING. I also had another free class later that day where I organised my resources for those lessons - again I spent one 40 minute class on this. On a Thursday I had a class where I corrected any work I needed to. I checked students' copies during class time and I also did the majority of corrections in class time, especially homework corrections.

I know it sounds crazy but I spent less time doing 'school stuff' that year than I have any other year - it was my first year out - I didn't have a big bank of resources, lessons, etc. But what I did have was a long drive that made the above easier.

So on a final note please don't be put off a school because it's 'too far' - maybe 2 hours each way is too far but an hour is definitely doable! When I move house I'll be commuting 1 hour 15 mins and I honestly can't wait to be that productive and organised again!

Thanks for reading if you got this far ya legend!

Toodles,
Múinteoir Cole