Reflection

Hi all, and welcome back to my work experience blog for the last time. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my week at Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua. It truly was a fun experience, with plenty to do and plenty of variation. The only thing that I would change is that if it were at all possible I would have loved to work in a couple of the special help classes. That disappointed me slightly. Other than that, I loved it. Another important aspect was that it gave me a good taste of all of the roles of a primary school teacher. In this post, I will discuss and evaluate my week in the gaelscoil.

Firstly, I’d like to talk about the skills that I needed and developed during this work experience. Most jobs required mainly people skills such as teaching others and sorting out disputes, and verbal communication in explaining things to others. I had most of these skills already, but this week helped me to further develop them as I realised that different techniques must be used for different personalities. Some children needed gentle persuasion while others needed strict, firm instructions in order to carry out a task. While on my work experience I also learned several smaller skills such as the best and fastest way to cover school books, and other small, handy little skills.

I did face a few challenges on this work experience. One of the main challenges was speaking through Irish the entire time. Everybody else spoke Irish so naturally that at first, I felt very uncomfortable. However, the staff were very welcoming and insisted that if I didn’t understand anything I should just ask, and they’d explain. Even as the week went on, however, I found my spoken Irish improving. I became more confident. Even as I wrote my blog entries later in the week, I began thinking in Irish. I’ve never been to a Gaeltacht before, so I was completely astounded by the improvement this week made. I found this was an extra challenge for me, but in the end, it turned out to be an added bonus. Another challenge I faced was getting the children to listen to me. By nature, I don’t enjoy demanding people do something, but through the week I learned that some need a strict person to push them. I feel that I did improve through the week, however, and it became less and less challenging as time went on.

Perhaps I would like to be a primary school teacher in the future. I love teaching others to help them reach their full potential, and this week proved to me that I find that fulfilling. Also, I loved to work with the kids. I’d most likely teach infants though, because I found those classes far more enjoyable. I think the infants are far happier to be in school than older kids, and this improves the general atmosphere. However, I did not find this as interesting as my experience in speech and language therapy. As well as teaching I’d love to keep learning, and I have a passion for science. Speech and language therapy involves both, so I think teaching would be a backup for me.

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I really would recommend this work experience to everybody. Even if you’re apprehensive about the Irish, so was I. Believe me, it’s worth it. Ideally a person who is considering teaching would find this work experience suitable, but even if you’re not there’s plenty to do and there is something for everyone, even if it’s not what you want to do for the rest of your life. There is a lot to learn from it, from working with children to organisation. This work experience showed me every aspect of primary school teaching, and I enjoyed it. There’s not much more you could ask for from a work experience. So, if you are looking for work experience, or have a friend considering teaching, do consider this or recommend it to them. You won’t regret it.

I really hope you enjoyed reading my blog. And hopefully my story also helped if you’re thinking about work experience for the future.

As “na Gaeilgeoirí” would say, slán go fóill.

Ceri

Day 5 - Friday 25th May

Hi guys, Friday already! Wow. This week has tired me out so much, but looking back on it, it flew by.

Today was a great finish to the week. It was a unique day filled with different activities exciting for both myself and the students.

In the morning I helped to disperse Fionnuala’s class between the other classes, as she wasn’t in. All of the children were shouting their news at me, and I loved to see how comfortable they felt around me. The difference the week made was astounding. I gave them their worksheets and helped them to carry their tables to different rooms (they were so cute trying to show how strong they were). This took a decent amount of time and by the time it was finished it was time for assembly. I sat aside and watched how it took place. It was weird how much it reminded me of my primary school, yet it was so different.

As usual I ate my snack at break, and then supervised in the yard. After that, however, the special activities began. The school has its sport week next week and the children had to practice their races. Between break and lunch, I helped out with it. It truly was a lovely day for it, a rare occasion in Ireland. I organised children into their lines, and basically spent the rest of the time stopping the kids from hurting themselves. One boy just wouldn’t listen to me and kept doing cartwheels on the concrete! Honestly! And then his friends, who weren’t so practiced at gymnastics, tried to copy him. Aaaahhh! At least by this point they were doing it on the grass. Eventually I convinced them to stop, but my heart was actually in my mouth.

At lunch I was offered a doughnut, brought in by a parent for the teachers. Honestly the food supply was so amazing in the kitchen, I’d consider becoming a teacher just for that!!! After a rant about terrible airlines (don’t even ask) I was outside again for my last break supervision. It was a good one though as I chatted to my new friend I made at the races, Ciaran, for a good amount of it. He didn’t seem to want to stop talking and kept coming back to tell me more about his karate. His excitement for the next week was quite contagious, which made me quite disappointed that I’d miss it. Anyway, break flew by talking to him.

After break time, the younger classes basically had another break time! They were having a ball! As a reward for their good behaviour throughout the week they brought their toys outside. I supervised them like at break and talked to them about all their toys. I’m pretty sure I had the same doll as one of them at that age. Once we headed back inside there wasn’t much time left. My timetable scheduled special assistance classes but unfortunately like previous days this didn’t work out, so I returned to the office. This disappointed me as it was one of the aspects I was looking forward to most and today was my last chance to try it out. I repeated the piles of flyers and finally finished covering the books. Nobody will ever understand how accomplished I felt about that. I’m pretty sure I can call myself a pro at book covering by now, after all that practice. So, if you ever need a book covered, you know who to call (please don’t, I think if I see that plastic covering again I just might cry). After that I said my goodbyes and thanks to all the teachers. I was upset not to be coming back.

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After only five days, this feels like my normal. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself next week. I don’t know how I feel to be back in the student’s shoes, but we’ll see. It’s ironic how much I learned though, while doing work experience in a teaching role.

Bye for now. That’s the end of my week, but I’ll soon be back to write a short evaluation on my time. See you soon!

Ceri

Day 4 - Thursday 24th May

Hello again! I’ll admit, I didn’t get to do as much today as I’d hoped. First thing I went into Fionnuala’s classroom. I spent my time in her class today shadowing like yesterday, while some students told their news. Nothing much different happened to yesterday. After that I went into Eilis’ class, but they were doing the Drumcondra test again, and there wasn’t much to help with as it was the listening section. So, I went into the office with Áine. I had to do this again after lunch due to more Drumcondra tests taking place. I mainly covered more books (enthralling, I know), and in fairness by the end of the day the covers were much smoother than they were to begin with and I was becoming faster too. Also, I sorted the flyers for the school’s fete into piles for each class, which was a nice break. I handed them out too. Again, this wasn’t too exciting, but I got a chance to see what office work is like. A bonus was that Rachel visited at regular intervals with more entertaining stories.

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Lunch breaks today were a good laugh. It struck me just how much easier Irish was coming to me after only a couple of days. I found myself able to respond quicker and I was able to participate much easier in conversations. I was quite chuffed when I kept up with an interesting (I can’t think of another word to describe it exactly) conversation about Strictly Come Dancing. (Don’t even get me started on this one!) Out in the yard children were treating me like one of the qualified teachers, calling me “múinteoir” (at first, I wasn’t sure who they were talking to) and coming to me with their injuries. Luckily none were serious, and the children just needed a bit of cheering up, which I was happy to provide. One interesting case was when a girl somehow got hit in the eye two days in a row… not sure what to say about that. But I loved it, honestly, even though I’m complaining now. It was great to see all the children out having some fun together.

Between my two supervisions, I spent some more time with the junior infants. As usual, I helped out with the children’s booklets. However, I found today a bit more challenging. The group I was working with contained a boy named Mikhael. He’s a nice boy but spends most of his time daydreaming and refuses to listen to instruction. It was frustrating to get him to agree to allowing me to stick in his pictures, but when he did agree it was rewarding. From then on it was smoother sailing and I enjoyed chatting to him and his group in a more relaxed manner after that. After I was finished, I returned to the office to carry out more of the fun jobs I listed above. Like on Tuesday I was supposed to help with the special help class, but the teacher recently took on the role of principal, and she had lots to do in that respect, so I went to the office instead.

This day wasn’t too busy, and I didn’t have much to reflect on when walking home. I hope both for you and myself that tomorrow is more eventful. I’ll keep you updated anyway so bye for now!

Ceri

Day 3 - Wednesday 23rd May

Welcome back everyone. Today was quite similar to yesterday. In Fionnuala’s class I listened as the students told their news. When I moved to Eilís’ class, they had begun their Drumcondra tests. I was unable to help as it was not allowed, so I spent the class walking around ensuring the students were on the right page, staying quiet, and coping okay under the pressure. I think it’s a bit extreme for senior infants to do such a test, but like photocopying (which I’ll mention later) it was important for me to see all the aspects of teaching. The morning went quite quickly, and quite uneventfully.

Funnily enough, at break the teachers were discussing how the tests are a bit extreme. When I went on yard duty, I roasted. The children all ran over asking if they could take their jumpers off (which I found quite funny) and if I could help, and there was me in tights. Bad decision. Very bad decision.

After break I returned to Maria’s class. The class was buzzing as a filming crew was in. I was disappointed as most of the group I was helping with booklets was out filming, so I stuck in the pictures at another table. However, other pupils cheered me up by proudly showing me their lego creations. Next, I went to the office again. Guess what I did? Book covering! Need I say more? Fair enough, time passed fast before lunch.

Lunch was similar to break, with myself roasting and children running over telling me stories. And as usual, it was good fun.

After lunch I went to the mixed older class. There I took down past pieces of work from the walls. Following from that I photocopied a lot of work for the teacher Helen, as she would be out a few days later. While this was more tedious than other work I had done, it was a good experience to see all the tasks teachers must carry out. If I hadn’t been there, Helen most likely would have had to do those tasks outside of school time. I’m glad to see all the positives and negatives of the job before I go making any career choices. When I was done I headed into Valerie’s classroom where I helped her class to write English stories. It was nice to have a variation, unlike maths. The kids could be creative, and I felt I played more of a role as they asked me for spellings. I really enjoyed that class and it made sure the last hour flew past me.

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As I walked home I got a surprise in seeing Ms McKenna! It really is a small world.

I’ve got to go and get some rest before tomorrow. Bye for now!

Ceri

Day 2 - Tuesday 22nd May

Hello again! Time for my second day!

My schedule for Monday to Thursday is nearly the exact same. So, I started the day in Fionnuala’s class. The children started up by telling their news. This took up most of the time I had in the class and for the last few minutes Fionnuala showed around caterpillars in cocoons. I’m not going to lie, I found it pretty interesting seeing as it is shown to six-year-olds! It was a nice change to shadow the class today and see how the class is taken as a whole by a teacher. Next, I headed into Eilís’ room. The children were learning their lefts and rights. That’s confusing at first in English, let alone Irish! I had fun demonstrating which was which to the students. It was nice to teach them again individually, as you feel that you’re getting to know the child’s personality better and I think it’s easier for them to understand. It was great to see their improvement and their sense of achievement when they turned the right way.

I have no idea how I managed to get away with tying no laces at lunch or break yesterday!! I tied so many today that it’s unfathomable how I tied none yesterday. Heck, I even was asked to help one girl to put on her shoe with Velcro straps! This mixed with all the chatty, lively children and the arguments was enough to keep me busy and utterly tire me out. Eating and chatting calmly in the staff room was a relaxing change to working with the children. Don’t get me wrong, they’re so much fun to work with, but boy am I tired now. I just don’t get how they have that much energy!

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In Maria’s classroom I firstly helped out with maths. The children understood the task. The main challenge was to convince them to continue to work. Throughout the past couple of days, I’ve found this more challenging than explaining, but I’m learning.  Then I repeated my tasks from yesterday, writing names, sticking in and photocopying. This time I got the chance to work with a different group. I’m excited to get to know the whole class through the week. After that I was meant to help out in a special help class, but the teacher Ruth was correcting Drumcondra papers, so instead I was sent to the office with Áine. There I put stickers on new textbooks and was taught how to cover them. I know, I know, I would be jealous too. It just sounds so exciting, doesn’t it? To be honest, I spent most of the time smoothing out bubbles in covers I’d not gotten quite right. By the end my covering was improving though, I must say.

With the mixed older class, I did geography. Helen asked me to work with the second classers if they had any questions. One of the questions stumped me for a second. It’s funny how quickly you forget what you’ve learned in primary school. I got a good few more questions than normal, so I felt I had more of a job to do, which was nice. Finally, I went to first class, taught by Valerie. She was sick yesterday, and I just met her today. She was lovely and allowed me to go around helping the children with their maths. I spent most of the time helping a girl with her counting, and by the end, she could just about do it by herself, which was great. I got to stand back and watch the class learning some vocabulary before the bell went, and I headed home.

That’s all for today. Don’t worry, there’s more to come tomorrow! See you then.

Ceri

Day 1 - Monday 21st May

Welcome back! Today was my first day. I woke up with mixed emotions of nerves and excitement. My neighbour Maria kindly offered me a lift in the morning, so I was out the door at 8 o’clock, dressed in my formal skirt and shirt and ready to go. Maria was really welcoming, chatting away in the car. I received my timetable first thing and was given a quick tour by Maria. I found it quite funny how as soon as I crossed the school threshold, Maria immediately switched to Irish just like that. She was on yard duty, so I headed up to the staff room and met the rest of the teachers. Again, they were really nice, even when they had to wait a little bit for my brain to process their Irish, translate it, and then formulate an English response, and translate that back to Irish. Honestly, I’m jealous of people who speak it like second nature.

At 8.30 I headed back downstairs to the senior infants. Fionnuala asked me to go through reading with some students. It was a nice start, since I got to spend time with a few of the kids one on one. I liked this type of teaching because improvement was immediately evident. The morning got the week off to a good start, even if one girl insisted that she always reads her entire book to the teacher (boy, was that long). Halfway through, I switched to the other senior infant class. There I went around, helping the children with their maths. Wow did that bring me back. It’s funny how you forget just how far you’ve come since then. I didn’t like this quite as much as the reading since I mainly spent time walking around. Most of the children understood the work, so I only had to point out a few corrections, and I didn’t get the chance to talk to any of the children and get to know them. Little did I know that that was about to change.

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Break time. Was. Hectic. I had some time to grab a quick snack before I was out in the yard supervising the children. They were going crazy running all over the place. So many children I didn’t know ran up and began chatting away like we were old mates. It was pretty hilarious. I liked getting to know the kids outside of the classroom and let me tell you I got to know a lot! Often, I had to gently direct the kids back to their friends so they wouldn’t miss out on the chance to have a run around and use up some energy (because did I mention that they were jumping about everywhere?!)

Fifteen minutes later I was back inside with the junior infants. Maria teaches them, so she asked me to come in for the aistear, a creative class. I got the chance to discuss pastimes with a small group of the students. Their assignment was to start a scrapbook-style booklet by drawing what they liked to do. (This was all said in Irish of course, yippee!) While I stuck pictures into their books for them, I asked them about their pastimes and sometimes got a bit more than I bargained for, with the children ranting for minutes about karate, which I know nothing about I may add. It was great to see them come out of their shells though, so I wasn’t that disappointed when I was asked to stay with the class instead of working in the office. Just before lunch I learned the useful, exciting task of using the photocopier. Yay!

I headed upstairs for lunch and met Rachel for the first time. She is hilarious, and always kept the conversation going, always saying what came to mind. She definitely made me feel at ease and we had a great laugh. After that I was back to the yard for the longer break. This was similar to the first break, but alas there was more time for fall-outs. I lost count of the amount of children who came up to me with stories telling on other children. I did my best to deal with any problems, through some pretty interesting Irish that the children may or may not have understood (I think they did anyway!) Nothing major came up though, thankfully, and other children coming up to me for a chat kept me in a good mood.

For the last bit of the day I helped out with the mixed class of students from 1^st-3^rd class. Again, I read with groups of students. This was similar to the morning, except for the fact that I could see how much more advanced their reading was. And in a year! It actually amazed me.

At the end of the day I walked home. It wasn’t too far and gave me a chance to reflect on the hectic day. Although the day ended at 2.10, I was shattered from a mixture of thinking in Irish and working with the energetic kids.

Needless to say my first day was jam packed. I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to tell you tomorrow so stay tuned!

Ceri

Preparation

Hi again guys! Today I'll take you through all the steps I had to carry out before the week even began.

I was uncertain as to what exactly I wanted to do for this work experience. After a lot of thought, I decided to apply for work experience in a primary school. I find teaching others a fulfilling experience and I wished to see how I would like to work with young kids full-time for the future. My old school, Taney, had no TY slots left so I sent an email containing my CV to a couple of local primary schools, including a nearby Educate Together. One day I was discussing how I’d like to work in a school with my neighbour. She is a teacher in a local gaelscoil and she recommended that I apply for work experience there. I had never really considered a gaelscoil as an option as I attended an English-speaking school. Therefore, I was quite apprehensive, but I decided to give it a try. A few days later I sent an email (painfully worded in Irish) to the principal of Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua with my CV attached. The principal quickly replied with an enthusiastic yes. He asked me to contact him in April, which I later did. Unfortunately, unlike my previous work experiences, I was not finished there. In order to work with children, I had to be Garda vetted. I filled in the form well in advance and handed it to Mr Shaw. After a little bit I received the response, and everything was ready. I could relax until the week finally came. I was both excited and nervous, mainly for speaking in Irish. Luckily, I had my Irish oral last week, so fingers crossed that helps!!

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I’ll keep you updated as to how my week goes. Wish me luck!

Ceri

Introduction

Hi, my name is Ceri. This week I am attending my third organised work experience placement for Transition Year. I’ll be going to help out at Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, a local primary school. The school only opened in 2013, and only has students up to third class age (thank goodness, I don’t think I could deal with sixth classers’ sass). In this blog I will document my experience, from the highs to the lows. I am not near fluent in Irish so there’ll definitely be lots of lows for you to laugh at. So, let’s get started! Hope you enjoy!

Ceri

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