Scoth na Scoile

March 6, 2020 Met, E3 Campus, Belfast

Proudly Sponsored By: Welcome to the 2020 Blackboard Awards

t’s so appropriate that we are here tonight at the e3 campus special event in this wonderful venue. Please take the time to with our venue Partner Belfast Met on what used to be a so- have a read of our brochure, which will give you a real sense Icalled peaceline, but which is now a beacon of education of the depth and scope of the work being done in our and a truly shared space. education sector by our 40 honorees. The twin themes of The work being done here is exactly what our city needs as dedication and hard work run through their stories like the we move slowly, sometimes painfully, but surely towards a writing on a stick of rock, so let me invite them to kick back for brighter future. the night and relax while accepting the richly-deserved thanks A very special thanks to our Lead Partner, Danske Bank, with of us and of the communities they serve for the unbelievable whom we have enjoyed a very positive and constructive things they are achieving day and daily, both inside and partnership over the years. Their contribution to the outside the classroom. Blackboard Awards is a real exemplar of the Business in Community ethos. Christina Sloan, I’m delighted to announce that for the first time we will Head of Partnerships, tonight be presenting a special ‘VIP Award’ to an honoree who Belfast Media Group has gone the extra mile. The award is generously sponsored by www.belfastmediagroup.com Movie House. Good luck with that award to all the educators here tonight, but regardless of the outcome, you’ll be receiving a ticket for two for the cinema courtesy of Movie House. So all that remains for me is to welcome everyone – guests, honorees and their proud family and friends – to this very

anske Bank is delighted to support the Blackboard also passionate about. Our employees can regularly be found Awards for the sixth year running. The awards are a in local schools supporting careers lessons and events; talking Dgreat reflection of the quality and talent of the about Danske Futures, our apprenticeship programme, and principals, teachers and classroom assistants in our local delivering employability workshops, helping students develop schools and it has been fantastic to see them go from strength interview techniques and CV writing skills. to strength over the years. Outside the classroom, we have a long history of For us, the Blackboard Awards are an important event in supporting local sporting talent and are proud to be the the calendar. They provide us with an opportunity to recognise biggest supporter of youth sport in Northern Ireland through the outstanding contribution that schools and individuals our partnerships with Schools’ Cup rugby, Ulster make in educating and inspiring our young people. Schools GAA and the Northern Ireland Schools’ Football As a leading financial services provider, we believe we too Association. These partnerships allow us to play our part, have an important role to play in educating children and alongside teachers and coaches, in nurturing and developing young people; helping them develop a good understanding of sporting talent. money and budgeting to prepare them for later life. On behalf of everyone at Danske Bank, I would like to We do this through SMART, our financial education congratulate all those nominated this evening and wish you all programme in schools. Delivered face-to-face in primary and the very best. post-primary classrooms by Danske employees, the content is tailored for different age groups and helps build financial Katherine Morrow, confidence through engaging, interactive activities. Regional Manager, Being able to make informed choices about finances Danske Bank prepares young people for the world of work, an area we are @DanskeBank_UK

Congratulations To all the 2020 Blackboard Award Nominees

2 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS ThinkThink Súile a Máthar Irish-MediumIrish-Medium Education Education Her Mother’s eyes

andand give give your your child child a a head head startstart Béal a hAthar withwith 2languages2languages Her Father’s mouth ATeangaféin Her own language

For more information and to locate your nearest Irish-medium School, contact; Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

www.comhairle.org Phone - 02890 321475 - @comhairle2014 - Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 3 Corinne Latham Seaneen Heaney Deirdre Brennan Seaview Primary School St Maria Goretti Nursery School Gaelscoil anna É School website: www.seaviewps.org.uk School website: www.stmariagorettinursery.co.uk School website: [email protected] Subject : Primary School Education. Subject : Nursery. Subject : Classroom assistant (primary). Your place of birth: Belfast. Your place of birth: Belfast. Your place of birth: Belfast. Studied at: Stranmillis University College, then Queen’s Studied at: Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch; St Studied at: St Dominic's Grammar School and Belfast University Belfast. Mary's University College, Belfast; Stranmillis College, Metropolitan College. First job: First teaching job was Glenwood Primary School... Belfast. First job: Retail Assistant in Internacionale. First job at university was in Monsoon, Belfast. First job: Marks and Spencer in Forestside (aged 16). What it taught me: The value of money and how to be What it taught me: My first job was in retail in Monsoon, What it taught me: That a good work ethic will be independent. It also helped build a strong work ethic, something Belfast. It was an excellent company to work for and provided rewarded and that the value of any job is in the I am eager to pass on to my own children. amazing training. It highlighted the importance of working relationships you make. Family/status : Married with two children. within a team and working with the general public. It also Family/status : Engaged with two wonderful children, Ollie Best advice anyone ever gave you: Treat everybody how you made me realise the importance of working hard for agreed and Cuinn. would like to be treated yourself and also respect everyone goals. I learned many things in Glenwood Primary School and I Best advice anyone ever gave you: "If you have a choice equally. was very blessed to work with some amazing teachers. I loved between being right and being kind, choose kind." Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching working alongside experienced staff who taught me so much Best advice you could give someone thinking of a career: Definitely be organised! It's not the type of job that you about being a child's best advocate. teaching career: To always listen to children. Remember can do without forward planning. In saying that, being able to Family/status: Married with three kids. the reason why you wanted to get into teaching in the first think on your feet is a must also as some days, no matter what Best advice anyone ever gave you: A gentleman who was a place. Find out their dog's name, their birthday party you have planned, children can be unpredictable - meaning the retired Principal from Newcastle Co Down, Mr John Colgan, theme, what their third favourite dinosaur is – anything plans go out the window. was a facilitator at a Leadership course I attended. I got to they have decided is important to tell you. Take time daily know him well over many months and his mantra is something to value their humour, abilities, confidence and (abundant) have been involved with the Irish language sector of education that I have adopted... no matter what decision you make, make honesty because that is what will motivate you to be a since I was four years old when I started Bunscoil Phobal it for the betterment of the children. better teacher and better person. IFeirste. From there I went on to St Dominic's Grammar School Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching where I completed my A-Levels. My main strength at school was career: Teaching is one of the best jobs in the world. It may graduated from St Mary's University College in 2010 with always Mathematics, which led to me gaining a Diploma in not make you a millionaire but you will be rich in so many a six-month-old son and a degree in Early Years Accountancy and also having my first child in 2006. Even though other ways, mainly through all the lives you impact. Only a IEducation before taking up my first teaching post. I was good with numbers, it didn't really give me any job teacher can retire and look back to consider all the pupils they Originally, I worked in Christ the King Primary School in satisfaction, probably because I have always wanted to work have impacted over their career and know that they had a Drumaness before moving to St Aloysius’ Primary School with children. Thankfully, I got my wish when I was offered my hand in shaping them as people. and Nursery unit in , then St Maria Goretti Nursery current position at Gaelscoil Éanna. School Belfast in 2016. In 2018 I completed a Masters When I first started the school we only had two classes and orinne started her teaching career in Glenwood Primary degree in Special Educational Needs and gave birth to my now we have approximately 190 pupils. Personally, it has been a School, before moving on to work in the Primary School daughter. Over the past decade I have been incredibly great privilege to watch and also be a part of the school growing CImprovement Team in the North Eastern Education and fortunate to work with colleagues who have inspired me, as well as the Irish language sector in general. Library Board. She then went on to be the Head of Preparatory taught me and shaped me as a teacher. They have As well as job satisfaction, working with children has also at Wallace High School Lisburn before being appointed exemplified the type of educator that I aspire to become. I taught me a few valuable lessons. Patience and understanding Principal of Seaview Primary School and Nursery Unit Belfast. am forever indebted to the children, parents, assistants, are an absolute necessity. I also try my best to be as happy and Corinne is a passionate educator who loved pedagogy. She is teachers and principals I have worked with throughout my enthusiastic as I can be each day as I believe that this energy married to Ian and has three fantastic children: Harvey, Ruby career and especially to those "up the Whiterock" who have transfers on to the Children. Hopefully the coming years can be and Finlay. made the area my second home. as enjoyable as the journey so far.

Photography: Thomas McMullan, Design: Scott Silver. This supplement is published by Belfast Media Group. Copies are available in pdf downloadable format at www.belfastmediagroup.com. For additional print copies call 02890 - 619000

4 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Cityside/Yorkgate, Glengormley & Maghera

AT CongratulationsNO EXTRA COSTto all the Blackboard Awards 2020 recipients.

VIP Recliners in select screens

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 5 Aithne Kerrigan Ewelina Rutecka Peter Thompson Ashfield Boys' High School Elmgrove Primary School Hazelwood Integrated College

Subject : Politics, Learning for Life and Work and Employability. Subject : Learning Support Assistant. School Website: www.hazelwoodcollege.co.uk Your place of birth: Belfast. Your place of birth: Kwidzyn, Poland. Subject : Senior Leader for Progression and Attainment. Studied at: Queen’s University, Studied at: Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland. Your place of birth: Belfast. First job: Part-time pharmacy assistant. First job: O'Brien’s Sandwich Bar. Studied at: QUB. What it taught me: This job was definitely an education, especially What it taught me: The importance of good communication, First Job: Working in my father's barber shop during school in relation to working with people. It taught me about empathy and honesty, open mind, punctuality. holidays. sensitivity and how small interactions can make a difference to Family/status: Single, no children. What it taught me: My father insisted that I helped out in the people. Taking a few minutes to chat with an elderly person who was Best advice anyone ever gave you: Smile, you never know shop during the summer months, much to my frustration. I feeling lonely or help a parent with a sick child can make all the what other people are going through. cleaned the shop every morning, swept the freshly cut hair and difference. The job also taught me about the value of money and Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching washed the hair in preparation for the barbers. Only now do I opened my eyes to the world of work. I always encourage my pupils career: Be positive, understanding, open and reliable. realise the life lessons taught to me during those years as a to get part time jobs or volunteer because I think it really helps to Remember that every child has a different way of learning and teenager. It taught me to work hard, to have high standards in widen their horizons to all the different opportunities out there. that there is always a reason behind every behaviour, which is anything that I was doing, but most importantly it brought me Family/status : Married. a very important form of communication. into contact with the general public. I had to speak publicly, deal Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice I’ve ever been with different age groups and people from different given is that you should never stop learning and challenging was brought up in a small village surrounded by fields, backgrounds. My father and the other barbers taught me how to yourself. I think it’s important to keep reading, stay curious and ask lakes and tree houses which I loved to play in with my two relate with all different kinds of personalities (good and bad). My questions. Life is unpredictable and exciting and the world is Isiblings and cousins. After three years in a middle school friends used to laugh that I had to work 9am to 5pm every day in changing so fast. There’s always something new to learn. So for me, and another three in a grammar school, I decided I want to be the summer holidays – they don’t laugh about it any more as every day is a school day. a teacher. I went to University to study a Masters in Pre-School they see the values and skills that my experience gave me. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching Education (as well as P1-P3 teaching). I studied for five years Family/status: Married to Carmel. career: My advice to anyone thinking of a teaching career would be and graduated in June 2010. A few days later, I decided to Best advice anyone ever gave you: Do not try and be something to treat the pupils and the community you serve with respect and treat myself and go on a holiday to Belfast to visit my friend. that you are not. Trust and believe in yourself. integrity. It’s a great privilege to work with young people but it’s also Ten years later, I’m still here! I fell in love with Northern Ireland Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching a big responsibility and I think it’s really important to take that from the very first sight. After I got used to the local accent, I career: Teaching is a vocation. Working with young people is seriously. As a teacher, you are shaping young minds and helping to expanded my vocabulary thanks to my first job in a coffee one of the most rewarding experiences in life. It is a profession create our future leaders. Be professional, be true to your values and shop. At this point, I was ready to spread my wings and look that is to embraced with positivity and belief that every single always strive to help every pupil believe in and achieve their for jobs in Education. Supervisor at a private day nursery was person in the school, young person and staff members, has the potential. a first personal success for a newcomer girl like me. I gained potential to be great. You have the opportunity to change a life enough confidence there and developed language and with how you inspire and motivate each individual to exceed ithne Kerrigan has been a teacher for 15 years. She is a teaching skills which allowed me to find my current job. I love their expectations. Have high expectations in yourself as a member of the Core Leadership Team at Ashfield Boys’ High my career in Elmgrove Primary School. I’ve been working here teacher and have high expectations of your students. Model your ASchool where she teaches Government and Politics, Learning for seven years now supporting newcomer children on their behaviour on how you would like your students to behave and for Life and Work and Employability. Aithne is the Senior Teacher own English-learning journey. As a non-native speaker myself, carry themselves. who leads the school’s community relations programme, identifying I empathise with them, because I understand exactly what they opportunities for pupils and teachers to engage in shared education are going through. I did the Together Towards Inclusion and began my teaching career in 2004. My second student projects, connecting with partner schools, businesses and the wider Diversity course for teachers to support my role. I am also a placement was within Hazelwood Integrated College and I community. Aithne is also responsible for organising school events Better Reader Partner which I use every day with our pupils. Ihaven't been allowed to leave – not that I wanted to. I started and takes pride in ensuring that these bring value to our pupils and Thanks to my management, I was able to complete the Elklan my teaching career as a general subjects teacher with specialism our wider community. Aithne is passionate about supporting Ashfield course as well as the Attachment Programme training which in R.E and History. along the way I have taught the following to Boys’ High School and its pupils to have a positive impact on their allows me to be a Key Adult in my school and support our KS3/GCSE level: R.E/History/French/Spanish/MVRUS/ community and has been instrumental in developing Shared vulnerable children. I am also a qualified Polish/English LLW/Public Services//P.E. I am passionate about Education projects, charitable endeavours and intergenerational interpreter which enables me to support the Polish families in . A product of a mixed marriage, it seems projects with the local community. Aithne is committed to promoting our school community. I am extremely proud to be a valued fitting that I dedicate my professional life to the promotion and good relations and in 2013 Aithne won the CRED Teacher of the Year member of our wonderful Elmgrove team which makes those growth of integrated education in post-conflict N.I. I am award. Aithne is married to Jim and they have two young daughters lovely little faces of our pupils smile on everyday basis amidst passionate about sport and coordinate the football in school to – Esther and Faye – who keep them busy. Aithne enjoys spending the many challenges which they and their families face. ensure all of our students have the opportunity to play football at time with family and friends and has recently taken up running and a recreational and competitive level. I am the Head Coach for yoga. Her goal for 2020 is join to the school running club for a 5K. Queen's University Belfast (2012 to present). I worked for nine years as a youth coach/scout for Manchester United. Outside of teaching, my family and my football are my great passions.

6 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Catherine Roulston Blythefield Primary School mould a young person’s life is a true privilege. Invest time in getting to know your pupils, encourage them at every opportunity, celebrate School Website: www.blythefieldps.co.uk any achievement, be their champion, give them the confidence to Subject : Bachelor of Education with Geography, succeed in school and beyond. Your work colleagues/ pupils/ Your place of birth: Richhill, Co. Armagh. parents/school community will not remember everything you say, but Studied at: Stranmillis University College. they will remember how you made them feel. We are all special, we all First Job: Waitress whilst studying. have something to give, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, we are all What it taught me: Working in a busy restaurant taught me many lifelong learners. transferable life skills that I have utilised throughout my career as a teacher and Principal: teamwork, time management, working under raduating from Stranmillis University College Belfast with a pressure, multi-tasking, patience, attention to detail, communication Bachelor of Education Degree in 2004, I immediately began my and flexibility. This was the beginning of the journey. Gcareer in Blythefield covering a maternity leave. I have remained Family/status : Married to Mark with two sons: Alastair and Henry. a permanent cornerstone in the school for the past 16 years and there Best advice anyone ever gave you: My parents have always been my is no other place I would rather be. I taught in the school for greatest role models and from their example I gleaned a strong work approximately 10 years and then embarked upon the Principal role, ethic, integrity and positivity. They were strong believers in being part initially in an acting capacity and then into a permanent role in the of a community and, contributing to this, they volunteered their spare last few years. During my career I undertook further training to deliver time to help others. Nothing was insurmountable, they would tackle the roles of Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator and designated anything. This inspired me to pursue a career that required similar Child Protection Teacher and I continue to fulfil these roles alongside characteristics. The greatest advice they gave me was to show my Principal position. I am passionate about the stability, growth and kindness wherever you can, have a humble and grateful heart, not to future developments of Blythefield Primary School. A collaborative waste time worrying and to have a sense of humour. school environment is the key to creating successful teachers and Do all the good you can, students. I believe partnerships with parents and community partners By all the means you can, are essential to enriching the experience at Blythefield Primary. In all the ways you can, I consider it an honour and privilege to be the principal of Blythefield In all the places you can, Primary School. I am amazed by the pupils, colleagues and school At all the times you can, families and feel humbled to partner with such incredible people. I To all the people you can, warmly view the children in Blythefield as an extension of my own As long as ever you can. family and am passionately committed to ensuring that every child Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: receives a high quality education in a safe, nurturing and loving Working in education is a very rewarding profession. Be prepared to environment. work hard and the rewards will be good – the more you put in the more you get back. Being able to positively influence, shape and

MR to ON HIS

PETERBLACKBOARD THOMPSON AWARD NOMINATION

ongratulations C

 [email protected] 028 9077 4202

www.hazelwoodcollege.co.ukTHE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 7 having a good rapport with children are really important. He told me to treat the children as if they were your own and always think, what Deborah McGivern would you want for your own children? Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching All Saints College career: One of the best pieces of advice I could give is get help from experienced teachers if there is a mentoring programme use it. They Subject: SENCO. are already aware and understand the strengths and weaknesses of Your place of birth: Belfast. the children.Try to remain calm so that pupils don't pick up you’re Studied at: University of Ulster, QUB, Manchester University. flustered. Organisation is an important factor – aim for engaging First job: Corpus Christi College. lessons try to keep them balanced. Use a wide range of teaching What it taught me: It has taught me that teaching is not just about strategies and aim to encourage pupils’ individuality. Good results. It's about supporting the children holistically through their classroom management is vital and always follow through. Have a learning journey. Positive relationships are paramount and its good sense of humour. important to get to know the children and their families. Their happiness and safety should be a priority because happy children have taught in West Belfast for the past 23 years, teaching pupils will grow and flourish. Every day is different, no two days the same ranging from 11 to 19. My first teaching job was in Corpus Christi and it brings with it new challenges. As a teacher you need to ICollege. Over the years I have enjoyed a variety of roles including flexible, be willing to change and compromise because no teacher of Geography and Head of Department. I soon realised that I two children are the same. This flexibility allowed me to really wanted to focus on the provision of Special Education Needs reflect and review my planning, assessing and arranging within school and I was appointed SENCO in 2008. During this time I of my classroom. It has taught me that I could be a very developed experience in working with a range of Special Education influential person in their young lives and that my input Needs. That has allowed me to work very closely and enhance could have a lasting impact – what I say and do can give relationships with parents, the community and multi-agency teams those children very different learning experiences and that provide specialisms in supporting children. I have just recently outcomes. It's been a privilege over the years to witness taken up the SENCO post in All Saints College and have a commited the transformation that happens when a child begins to and dedicated SEN team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. I uncover their own abilities and to realise that you have have been privileged to see so many of our children succeed in been apart of that. pursuing third-level education, full time jobs and apprenticeships. I Family/status: Married with three daughters. look forward to our future in preparing our young people for lifelong Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice learning and to continue celebrating our successes with the children an older teacher gave me was that relationships and in All Saints College.

make a difference to their world. Always treat each child as an individual, and look for ways to bring out the best in the Isobel Blair children in your care. Currie Primary School rom an early age has been an important part of my life, and I am very thankful for the wonderful doors that it has opened up for me over the years. Our home was School website: https://currie.schooljotter2.com F always filled with the sound of violins, recorders, keyboards and Subject : Primary 1/Music. singing, and I have many fond memories of attending the City of Your place of birth: Belfast. Belfast School of Music, progressing through the orchestras, Studied at: Grosvenor Grammar School and Stranmillis and making many friends from both sides of the community. University College. When I began teaching in Currie Primary School I quickly First job: Elsie's Newsagents. realised that music could reach into the lives of the children and What it taught me: The importance of good communication make a difference to both their confidence and learning. I have skills and the ability to work long hours while studying full time. had the absolute privilege of conducting our choir for many Family/status : Married with one daughter, Emily, who is eight. years, and their beautiful singing never ceases to touch my Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice that I was heart. We are busy throughout the year singing at various given in school by a fantastic violin teacher was that if at first events throughout the community and beyond, including the St you don't succeed try and try again. I have never forgotten this, Anne's School Choir of the Year. I have composed songs which as throughout my career as a teacher I have faced many are sung regularly in our school, including our very own school challenges, but I have found that each one has given me an song 'Light a Light for Our Future'. In recent years I have been opportunity to learn more resilience than I ever thought I had, part of leading our very own Shared Education Choir along with along with the determination to continue developing in a job Holy Family, and this has given us exciting opportunities to sing that I love very much. It has helped me to not give up at the first together, as well as building friendships across a very broken hurdle, but to keep striving to be the best that I can be. community. To our delight we won the best overall performance Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching at the Fisca Flax Trust Competition five years ago when we career: Teaching is one of the most rewarding and all- made memories together in the City Hall, and each Christmas consuming jobs ever. It is not for the faint-hearted or the we sing at our school carol service, Holy Family's Christmas half-hearted. Love what you do and never think that you know Pageant, as well as carol singing in our local shopping centre. everything there is to know about teaching children. There will Frances Clark says, "There is music in every child. The teacher's always be more to learn, but that is the beauty of being a job is to find it and nurture it" – something I wholeheartedly teacher. Remember that you have a very privileged position in agree with. the lives of the children in your classroom, and you can really

learning, is the key to success. Naomi Compton Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: It is hard work but the magical moments when you see McArthur Nursery School your pupils achieve and succeed make it all worthwhile. Making good relations with parents and carers is the key to success. School website: www.mcarthurnurseryschool.co.uk Happy parents makes happy pupils and vice-versa. Subject : Nursery and Primary School. Your place of birth: Derbyshire. oth my parents are teachers and I spent my childhood Studied at: Aberdeen University. planning to be a teacher. My parents tried to convince me First job: Primary school tecaher P1-P4 Bto look into other careers but my heart always took me What it taught me: That organisation is everything and you can back to teaching. After being a Head Teacher of a primary never have enough tissues, for you, the pupils and the parents! school in Scotland I moved to Northern Ireland to be near my Family/status : Married to husband Nick with two children, husband’s family in 2015 and I haven't looked back. The role as a Imogen (4) and Blake (7). teacher-principal is such a challenge but also so very rewarding. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Never feel like a I am extremely lucky that the staff I have in my school are lesson/planned activity is a failure if it doesn't go as planned. beyond outstanding – they all deserves awards far more than In-the -oment planning, where the children lead and adapt the me.

8 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Paul Berne Nicola McIntyre Eibhlín Bhreathnach Edmund Rice College Malone Integrated College Gaelscoil na Móna

School website: www.edmundricecollege.co.uk School website: malonecollege.org.uk School website: www.gaelscoilnamona.com Subject : Principal/History. Subject : Modern Languages. Subject: KS1 Teacher of Primary 3/4. Your place of birth: Belfast. Your place of birth: Donegal. Your place of birth: Belfast. Studied at: Queen’s University Belfast Studied at: University of Ulster Coleraine and Queen’s Studied at: Trinity College Dublin. First job: Shop assistant, VG Glengormley. University Belfast. First job: English Language Teaching Assistant in Bordeaux. What it taught me: It taught me the values of teamwork First job: Waitress in a local restaurant. What it taught me: It taught me that I am happiest when and work ethic as well as the importance of the local What it taught me: This part-time job taught me to keep working with children and working within a rich language and community. smiling, be polite and to never give up, even after an eight- cultural environment. Family/status : Married with two daughters. our shift on your feet. Family/status: Engaged. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Two pieces of advice Family/status: Married with three children. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Be positive, open and come to mind and they come from my parents. My mother Best advice anyone ever gave you: 'Live a great story.’ And empathetic. would always tell me growing up, ‘Whatever is for you won’t also to always count your blessings. Every day I remind Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching pass you.’ That has stuck with me to this day. The second myself to be thankful for what I have, I try to maintain a career: You should try to get into the school setting as much as piece of advice came from my father: ‘Every day is a school positive mindset and spread good energy. Happy mind, you can before applying, whether it be volunteering as a day’ and to learn from your mistakes. Just so happens I took happy life! language assistant abroad or as a role of classroom assistant. the ‘every day is a school day’ advice literally and became a Best advice you could give someone thinking of a Observing different teachers and school settings beforehand teacher. teaching career: Aspire to inspire before you expire. My prepares your for your first role as class teacher. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a advice is simple: know your pupils and prepare well. Make it teaching career: It is the best job in the world. The impact fun and relevant. Enjoy what you do. And when the going began my own journey in education at Bunscoil Phobal Feirste you can have on the young people of North Belfast makes it gets tough, take a deep breath, smile and start again. which was the first school in Belfast that offered an education all worthwhile. They say if you find a job you love you never Ithrough the medium of Irish. The school was established by the have to work a day in your life. My advice to any aspiring grew up in Donegal where my passion for languages was same group of Irish-speaking families who set up an urban teachers would be go for it as it is extremely rewarding. born out of many memorable summers spent at the Gaeltacht on Shaws Road in the late-60s. The education I received IGaeltacht. After graduating from University of Ulster ignited an enthusiasm for language and culture and opened graduated from Queen’s University Belfast before Coleraine with a BA Hons in Applied Languages, I completed many doors for me upon leaving. I received an Entrance completing my PGCE at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. a PGCE in Modern Languages at QUB. Since then I've spent Exhibition Award to study French and Irish at Trinity College II became a teacher in Edmund Rice College in 2005 and the last 24 years teaching in the Integrated sector. My first Dublin. I was appointed as an English Language Assistant for a have been here ever since. I have held many different posts permanent post was at Hazelwood Integrated College where year in Bordeaux by the British Council. I received a year-long in the school. I was Head of Learning for Life and Work from I spent two challenging yet rewarding years learning the Fulbright Scholarship Award to teach Irish in New York University. 2008. In 2014 I became Co-ordinator of Teaching and ropes. In 1997 I was appointed to Malone Integrated College I worked as a Student Advisor Co-Ordinator for The Institute of Learning and the following year the Head of Senior School where I gained invaluable experience from being one of the Study Abroad, a US organisation which organises overseas and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. In September founding teachers of the College. Two years on, I am placements for American college students. The education I 2018, I became Acting Principal. I am extremely passionate enormously proud of our school and all that we have received at Bunscoil Phobal Feirste and at Coláiste Feirste left me about History and thoroughly enjoy teaching my GCSE achieved. In my role as Head of Department, one of my goals with an attachment and desire to teach in an environment which class. I often speak to our pupils about my three loves: my has always been to impart my love for language learning to is shaped by language, culture and a respect for diversity. I family, Edmund Rice College and Crumlin Star FC. I played our pupils and to instil a 'can-do' attitude towards what is therefore chose to work in the Irish medium primary sector and football for Crumlin Star for eight years and currently help perceived to be a difficult subject area. In addition, I have been teaching for six years in Gaelscoil na Móna, which is coach the first team squad after old age forced me to retire. thoroughly enjoy the unique opportunity of being able to celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year. I thoroughly enjoy I am extremely fortunate to work in such a great school and celebrate our school's diversity through the learning and teaching the children of the school's local community and seek to I am very proud of our school, our staff and our pupils. teaching of the 25 languages currently spoken in the instil in them an enthusiasm for learning, language and culture, College. Every day is a school day! giving them the confidence to experiment and achieve.

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 9

‘Murph. You always felt like your neighbours had your back. I had scores of aunts and uncles, some of whom were actually related to me. I remember people stopping me and showing a real Michael Vallely interest. It was always the same questions: “What about your da?” and “How are you doing in school?” Throughout my studies All Saints College it was always my goal to return to teach in West Belfast. I felt that I owed it to be the best teacher I could be and somehow pay back Subject : Business Studies. all those who supported me. Whether it was ‘Prisoners’ Kids’ who Your place of birth: Belfast. sent me on summer trips to America, Geordie Glennon who Studied at: University of Ulster Coleraine. provided the Green Cross Money, the teachers of Corpus Christi Fi rst job: Manny’s chippy, Antrim Road. for setting high expectations, the Aisling Bursary for providing me What it taught me: My good friend Tony Rooney from with a cheque for £1,000 so that I could afford to study in Ballymurphy got me the job in Manny’s. I remember being a Coleraine, and last but by no means least my parents who have nervous wreck to start off with, but I was soon made to feel inspired me to be the best version of myself. As a teacher I want welcome by all his family who also worked there. It seemed at the to be a similar role model to the students in the hope that they time it would have been more apt to change the name to too will somehow contribute to their own community. Rooney’s. It taught me that in any workplace it’s important that Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching you are there for each other, whether it be covering someone’s career: Immerse yourself in school life.I know it’s a bit of a cliché, shift or lending your ear to someone who may be getting it tough. but teaching is a vocation rather than a job. It becomes part of I also learnt quickly not to take myself too seriously as the your identity. I recommend that anyone at the start of their career slagging was ‘close to the bone’ at the time (this is a trend that gets involved with whole school life whether it be extra-curricular has continued throughout m y work life). It also taught me that or community-based. This gives them the opportunity to show when you commit to working anywhere that you need to pitch in themselves to the students in a different light. They will be able to as best you can and at times may have to carry out tasks beyond build relationships with students whom they may not have the job description. During my year at Manny’s I saw a lot of normally come into contact within their subject area. The students different characters. I identified with a community in North Belfast will always remember and appreciate them for it whether they who despite their surroundings always seemed to be good took a sports team or volunteered to supervise a trip away. This humoured. I watched the older staff as they built rapport with the often carries itself into th e classroom and normally helps in terms customers and showed a genuine interest in their lives. I think of classroom management. This would also help them to build a that all teachers should become familiar with the community in good relationship with fellow teachers and classroom assistants which they teach and make efforts to build a rapport with which is invaluable. As the saying goes, “Our greatest resource is students, their parents and col leagues. Finally, it taught me that if each other.” you eat free chippy every other day for a year that your clothes were shattered the night before and I didn’t sleep a wink but will become a lot tighter! completed my PGCE in Plymouth in July 2006 alongside my when I arrived, I saw a familiar face in Pauline Brady (née Family/status: Married with two children. future wife Deirdre. After completing our NQT year in Jackson) and she gave me a massive hug. I haven’t looked back Best advice anyone ever gave you: Never forget where you came IPeterborough we moved home. I worked as a substitute since and finally got made permanent in 2016. I am now Head of from. This really came to mind recently when I watched a video teacher in my old school Corpus Christi. I was well looked after by Year 11 in the newly amalgamated All Saints College alongside my clip of Máire Thompson (Principal of Hazelwood) in which she the likes of Gerry O’Kane, Jim Donnelly and Dan McGivern, to old teachers and colleagues from Corpus. Thankfully the current talked about being ‘raised by the village’. Although our situations name but a few. As we started a young family Deirdre and I found Principal Bronagh Farrimond gave Deirdre the opportunity to work are slightly different, I could totally relate to what she was saying. ourselves working other jobs. I was in a call centre and Deirdre in CBS and she is currently part of the All Saints staff, having I was born and raised in Ballymurphy, or as my mum calls it, was waitressing in Green’s Pizza. It was in Green’s that Deirdre made herself indispensable. ‘God’s Country’. Both my parents are ex-prisoners. My dad was in met my old mentor Gerry O’Kane and his good friend Tom the H-Blocks for several years while I was in primary and Armstrong (Principal of CBS). This conversation led to an . We had a real sense of community in the opportunity to work in CBS Glen Road. I remember my nerves hurling and football for Lámh Dhearg my whole life. In my role as sports coordinator I have revived sport within the school. We now Éamann Herron have over 50 children taking part in school Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin GAA training every week. We are part of the GAA 5-Star Programme and I have developed and strengthened links with local clubs, Subject : KS2 Primary 5 / Sports Coordinator. Gaelfast, Antrim GAA and Ulster GAA to give Your place of birth: Belfast. the children an outlet to continue their Studied at: St Mary's CBGS and St Mary's sporting journeys outside of school. University College. First job: Next Boucher Road. What it taught me: It taught me the importance of building relationships with colleagues and that good communication is key to a positive working environment. Family/status: Married. Best advice anyone ever gave you: My parents would always have told me to never give up when facing adversity and not to let anything get the better of you. Always remember and be proud of who you are and Bunscoil and where you come f rom. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Try to do Naíscoil Bheann Mhadagáin some research and get some experience working with children to make sure it's the right path for you. Teaching can be challenging but when you embrace that We congratulate challenge working with children is massively rewarding. have been teaching in the Irish medium sector now for nine years, having qualified Éamann Herron Ifrom St Mary's in 2011. I was brought up and instilled with a pride in our language, culture and sports. This has had a massive effect on myself and indeed some might say on his Blackboard Awards Nomination teaching has become the ‘family business’ as my wife Aine and both my older brother and sister along with their other halves are also Irish teachers. We share a sense of pride for our language and for where we come from and it's a great honour to be able to share this Bunscoil agus enthusiasm with children in the classroom every day. I started my current role as Naíscoil Bheann Mhadagáin Múinteoir Rang 5 in Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin five years ago. It's a fantastic 156 -158 Cliftonville Road school with a great staff and we take pride in the nurturing aspect of child development. I Belfast BT14 6LA have a keen interest in sport and have played

10 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS

Enrol now for September 2015 for Naíscoil and Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin know your subject, it is much more important to Grammar School in Dunmurry in 1989. In know your students. Being able to truth, I found this transition a struggle, but I Paul Tully communicate the key concepts of your subject enjoyed subjects like History, English and, St Mary's CBGS in a manner that your students can relate to will later, Sociology and Politics. Again, I was result in much greater levels of both blessed to be taught History by a man who School website: stmaryscbgs.com understanding and enthusiasm. could only be described as a force of nature. Subject : Government and Politics Mr Devaney had seemingly boundless energy Your place of birth: Belfast grew up in various parts of both West and and enthusiasm for teaching his subject and Studied at: UUJ, ISU (USA), QUB, UUC. South Belfast. I attended St Colman's Primary would regale us with tales of the private lives First job: Delivering newspapers. ISchool in Lambeg and I can honestly say that of various monarchs and historical figures What it taught me: It taught me to respect those were some of the happiest days of my life. that featured on our course. I only entered steep hills and large dogs. It also taught me to I was lucky enough to have a fabulous teacher teaching at the age of 25, having worked for a never get your sister to cover your run for a from P5 through to P6, a man called Gerry year for the Prudential plc before deciding to weekend as you will be reminded of it forever. O'Gorman. All these years later I can still go back to university and study for a Masters In all seriousness, it taught me the value of remember him taking the class to pick Degree and then a PGCE. When my wife, a hard-earned money. blackberries in a field behind the school so that student teacher at that time, suggested a Family/status : Married with two children. we could better relate to the famous Seamus career change, I knew that I could only be the Best advice anyone ever gave you: My dad Heaney poem that we had been studying. I'm type of teacher that Mr Devaney was, or at brought me up to always try to treat others as not sure if such an activity would comply with least try to be close to that good. My wife, you would like them to treat you. health and safety protocol these days. Above Leanne, was the other great person I Best advice you could give someone thinking all, he instilled in me a love of literature and encountered at Rathmore. We only knew of of a teaching career: Whilst it is important to knowledge in general. I moved to Rathmore each other in sixth year, courtesy of being placed at the same table due to both having surnames that start with the letter 'T'. Twenty- three years later and we are still together and have two boys, Cathal and Shea. My first passion was football but unfortunately I was nowhere near good enough to emulate my Ggandfather, Charlie Tully, and play professionally. My own dad, Charlie Jr, sparked an interest in politics, thanks to endless discussions and debates of an will use it as motivation to keep on working evening. Thanks to both my parents and hard for my students. teachers instilling the value of education in me, I was blessed to spend six years at four different universities, including Indiana State University. I try to pass this on to my students at St Mary's in the hope that they too can enrich their life experiences. I am truly humbled to be nominated for this award and

t is an honour to be nominated for this award. David Ross Thank you to Stephen Lowry and the Glentoran The Royal Belfast IAcademy for the nomination. I have been a teacher for 15 years since I graduated from Academical Institution Stranmillis College. I started my teaching career in Kent, England, teaching ICT/Computer School Website: www.rbai.org.uk in a large all-boys comprehensive school. This Subject : ICT/Computer Science. was a big culture shock for me as I came from a Your place of birth: Omagh. small rural town in West Tyrone. I survived the Studied at: Stranmillis University College. first year mainly down to some fantastic First job: Teacher of ICT, the Howard School, colleagues who were very supportive. I stayed in Kent. England for another 11 years, moving up through The Board of Governors, What it taught me: Teaching in England taught the ranks to become Deputy Head of ICT and me a number of really valuable lessons. Firstly, Deputy Head of Year 9 and moved to another the value of teamwork and forming really solid Academy outside London to become Head of Principal, Staff and Students of working relationships with fellow staff. It also Faculty and Assistant Principal. We moved back to taught me to get to know every pupil you teach Northern Ireland in 2017 and I spent a year The Royal Belfast Academical Institution and plan to cater for those needs. In a school of teaching in Beechlawn Special School. I loved my 1,500 boys there were lots off challenges and time at Beechlawn and taught me so much in how preparation was the key to ensure lessons to work with students with educational needs, not engaging for the students. just in the classroom but life skills as well. I congratulate David Ross Family/status : Married with three kids, Charlie started in RBAI in November 2018 teaching ICT (9), Oliver (6) and Joni (2). and Computer Science and have been teaching on his Blackboard Award nomination. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Trust your there since. Recently I took up the role of Acting instincts and always treat others as you would Head of Whole School ICT. In my spare time I help expect to be treated. coach football at Glentoran Academy with their Best advice you could give someone thinking 2013 age. I have been doing this since 2017. I find of a teaching career: Do it, never forget the this really enjoyable as I love seeing the smiles on impact you will have on a pupil’s life so make it a the kids’ faces when they are playing football. I positive one. Develop the ‘soft skills’ required to helped run their development programme at that be an excellent teacher. Build relationships with level very Saturday morning. I believe that your students, understand what works with your education shouldn’t be confined to the classroom College Square East, Belfast, BT1 6DL pupils and what doesn't, there is no one-size-fits- and that learning can take place anywhere, all lesson. Be firm but fair with your students. whether that be the classroom or the football field. Tel: 028 90 240461 Show compassion and empathy. Finally, listen to I am privileged to work with so many inspiring your pupils. As teachers, we are teacher, colleagues at RBAI and Glentoran Academy and I E-mail: [email protected] counsellor and referee all rolled into one. Take am so grateful for an amazing supportive wife and time to listen to any issues they may have in or three wonderful kids who are my rock. out of school and show them that they matter. rbai.org.uk THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 11 on anyone. People who know me, know that what you see is what you get. I am warm-hearted but plain-speaking. I always try to treat others as I would like to be treated myself. I feel honoured to Clare Evans do the job I do and privileged to work in a great school, with a St Teresa's Nursery School fantastic team and supportive community – I am truly blessed. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: You will get out of teaching what you put in. You need to School website: www.stteresasnursery.com be resilient, respectful, creative, a good communicator, Subject : Principal Teacher St Teresa's Nursery School. empathetic, enthusiastic and passionate about helping children Your place of birth: Scotland. realise their learning potential. It is one of the toughest jobs out Studied at: St Andrew's Teaching College, Glasgow; St. Mary's there, but also one of the most rewarding. If you think you have all Teaching College, RTU (PQHNI); Sheffield University (distance the aforementioned qualities - go for it! We need teachers like you learning). in our workplace. First job: Nursery teacher, St Peter's Nursery, Servia Street. What it taught me: I discovered that the old adage “Working qualified as a primary teacher in St Andrew's Teaching College together, ordinary people can perform extraordinary feats” Glasgow in 1998, it was there I met and married my husband, a expresses a general truth of my work in St Peter's. I was South Armagh man, and moved to Ireland. I started my immersed in a culture of not only working to improve the quality I teaching career in St Peter's Nursery School in 1998 before of education in my school, but also collectively in our moving to St Malachy's nursery in 2003. In 2007, I started community. From the start of my career I was privileged to working as an advisory teacher for pre-school, teaching children attend steering group meetings and initiatives to improve the with SEN in their own home and providing advice, support and lives and opportunities of those that I taught. This stayed with training to nursery schools in the Southern Board. I completed my me in my future roles working in the and PQH in 2008. In 2009, I was appointed Manager of the Language the Department, seeing the wider picture and sharing my time and Communication Service, providing intervention, advice and and experience to help those I worked with; seeking out funding support and training service supporting the Language and opportunities and campaigning and speaking up for the rights Communication needs of children. In 2010-2013, I accepted a part- of the child. I specialised in Special Educational Needs and time role (one day a week) with the Department of Education as Speech and Language. When I took up my post as Principal in Regional Capacity-Building Officer for SEN. I contributed to the 2014, I had a real sense of coming home. I was able to share my Language and Communication Chapter of DE SEN Resource file. I experiences with staff, children and wider community. From the wrote Extended Early Years SEN Supplement and co-wrote the beginning I was a member of the Nursery Area Learning extraordinary feats.” IME Early Years SEN document. I had a passion to transfer all of Networking Community and am privileged to currently chair this Family/status: Married to Declan and mum to three boys: my experience and learning into my own school. I was appointed group. I also sit on the Management Committee of Outer West Fionntan (19), Oran (17) and Ciaran (15). We also have a fur baby Principal in 2014 of St Teresa's Nursery and have been blessed Sure Start – this connected approach supports the continued Cara (7-year-old chocolate Labrador). with an excellent team and supportive community. My vision for achievements of my school and the wider community I serve. A Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice ever given to the school is for all to ‘be the best that they can be’. true example of “Working together, ordinary people can perform me was to “be yourself”. Never look up to anyone nor look down

Máire O’Hare

Holy Family Primary School

School website: www.holyfamilypsbelfast.org.net Subject : Music & P6/7 teacher. Your place of birth: Belfast, Ireland. Studied at: Music at Queen's University Belfast and Primary Music at University of Ulster, Coleraine. First job: Violin teacher. What it taught me: I began teaching violin and music to children and adults of all abilities and backgrounds at the age of 15. From the moment I took my first lesson teaching the names of the four strings on the fiddle I knew that teaching was my calling and that music could give even the shyest of people a voice. Family/status : Married and mummy to Dáire. Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice I was ever given was taught to me by my parents and summed up in a quote I recently heard from the great Mary Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Teaching is not just a job, it becomes a part of your life. It is important to bring happiness, joy and love into your classroom every day. Happiness breeds happiness and it is important that children know that you are really there and sincerely care for them at each step of their educational and emotional journey. It is an honour and privilege to help children work with the wonderful staff and children from Currie Primary work towards achieving their goals. Teaching, more so than any School and watch how music can build bridges and form a other job, allows you to help shape the future. If you think you mutual desire to succeed and enjoy each other’s music. Our can, then teach. Shared Choir is now a permanent and positive feature of our school life and continues to go from strength to strength. t the age of six I was chosen to take violin lessons in my Another positive feature of our school's musical life has been the school, Holy Child PS, and that was the start of the journey international link with St Paul's PS, Kitovu, in Uganda, which I Athat has brought me to where I am today. I have been visited in 2014. I was able to share the music from my culture fortunate in my musical training to have been taught by some of with the children of St Paul's who in turn taught me traditional the finest exponents of classical, jazz and Irish traditional violin Ugandan melodies and rhythms. These songs are now including the world renowned Sean Maguire. These wonderful embedded into the musical life of Holy Family Primary School. I teachers created a desire in me to pass on my love of music to have enjoyed great support from our school Principals and future generations. I continued my development at St Dominic's fellow teachers throughout my teaching career. Music is now an Grammar School, Queen's University, eventually completing my integral part of everyday school life with at least 60 per cent of PGCE in Music at the . I secured a permanent school pupils now involved in music activities and lessons. post at the age of 22 at Holy Family Primary School where I have Many former pupils have continued their musical journey long been a KS2 teacher and Music Coordinator for 12 years. During after they have left Holy Family. Our school is now a Centre for this time I have established and developed an award-winning LCM Irish Traditional Music and children enjoy taking part in a school choir who have performed with the Irish Tenors, at an all- wide range of musical groups and activities that are provided on Ireland centenary concert held in Dublin, recorded a charity CD a daily basis. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help and performed extensively across Belfast and at competitions young people on their musical and educational journey, such as the Belfast Festival and the BBC Choir of the Year. wherever that may take them, and it is my hope that they look Having forged a cross-community link with Currie PS we were back with fond memories and a sense of achievement. successful in winning twice the FLAX Trust Cross-Community Choir competition. This link has created a strong bond between the children and teachers from both schools. It has been a joy to

12 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS year... And another year.. And another... I was able to work and graft across those three years to give me the best chance to secure a coveted Paddy McGaharan job at a brilliant school – seven years later, I am still there, happy as ever and working just as hard as I did on day one of my placement. Luck Our Lady and St Patrick's and timing may have played a part in my story, College at Knock but as a famous man once said, "The harder I work, the luckier I get..." School website: www.knock.co.uk Family/status: Single. Subject : . Best advice anyone ever gave you: Create Your place of birth: Belfast. good habits, establish what the things are you Studied at: Ulster University. need to do to be successful and work every First job: Teaching post at my current school, single day at making these a habit. Not Our Lady and St Patrick's College, Knock. everything you do will be fun, easy or exciting. What it taught me: Fully immerse yourself in Writing down a plan for the week may not be whatever task you do or situation you find fun on a Sunday night or Monday morning. But yourself in – don't be half-hearted and you never it's a good habit. Exercising before a long day or know what could be waiting for you. My PGCE after a long day may be tiring and sometimes placement school was in Our Lady and St boring, but it's a good habit. Taking the time to Patrick's, where I had the intention of gaining help a student or teacher with something when some new experiences in a reputable grammar you'd rather be eating your lunch is a good school while looking to enhance my skills as a habit. Identify what you want to achieve, how practitioner. I immediately got involved within you go about it and then work to create good the school culture, seeking out opportunities to habits that will help you get to where you want help out where I could. I was able to offer my to be. expertise in sport to extra-curricular activities Best advice you could give someone thinking and help out in activities such as the school of a teaching career: Relationships are the show, the careers department, Duke of most important thing in teaching. Edinburgh and many more endeavours. I left my Of course you need to have skills such as placement feeling fulfilled, knowing I'd given my creativity, organisation and be knowledgeable in time and energy to helping out the teachers and your subject. But if you are able to create good the students. As it transpired, the PE Head of working relationships, founded on mutual Department elected to retire at the end of that respect, with your students and your colleagues, and motivation you need to do your job well – coach the Northern Ireland U16 boys team. I academic year, creating a job opening within your everyday teaching life will feel much less much more important than money or position in work within a fantastic PE department made up that department. I received a phone call over the like a job and more like a hobby. When I think of the school hierarchy. of five other caring and selfless teachers that summer months, asking if I could come into for a hobby, I think of something that I choose to do help make my job a lot easier. While my career a term to allow management to arrange the with my free time – something I really enjoy have been teaching at Our Lady and Saint is still very much only beginning, I am truly appropriate interviewing procedure. I came back doing and want to invest my time and energy in. Patrick's College for seven years now within lucky and thankful to be in the position I am in in, this time making some money which was a I've learned if you take the time to get to know Ithe PE department. My main hobby is any and surrounded by a network of genuine and strange but wonderful thing. I continued where I the people you work with and teach, then type of sport and in particular . I have talented colleagues. left off and over a short period of time I felt like getting up on a cold January morning when it's played in the top league in Ireland for 12 years it was the right fit for me – but of course nothing dark and wet becomes a lot easier as you know but have taken a year off this year to focus on was guaranteed, especially in the competitive you are going to a school community that you finishing my Masters in Education. I also am field of teaching. I got on with my business, kept enjoy being a part of. It takes time and effort, heavily involved in coaching inside and outside my head down and I must have made an but learning more about the people you are of school, with both male and female junior impression as they decided to keep me on as a around for a large portion of your week allows teams. I am currently the coach of eight temporary staff member for the remainder of the relationships to grow and this is the main drive basketball teams within the school and I also

am originally from Coolnasilla on the Glen Road and attended St Teresa’s Primary School. I had some brilliant teachers there a Hugh Kennedy Isome I still chat to some today. From there I went onto St Mary’s CBGS where I enjoyed my time not only studying but also on the Ballymacward Primary School GAA pitch playing hurling and football and had excellent success. I went onto complete studies in HND Sports and Leisure in the then School website: www.ballymacwardps.net BIFHE, BSc Hons in Sport Exercise and Leisure and PGCE in PE both Subject : Primary in the University of Ulster Jordanstown. After my PGCE I went onto Your place of birth: Belfast work in many teaching jobs in different environments, Northern Studied at: University of Ulster Regional College, De La Salle Downpatrick, St Oliver Plunkett Glen First Job: Lecturer in the Northern Regional College Road and now as Principal of Ballymacward Primary School and What it taught me: Organisation skills learned many things throughout those years. Financial budgeting skills My greatest enjoyment has came from my sporting exploits with Management of staff and resources my GAA club St John’s GAC where I spent many years playing and Setting high expectations coaching both codes and developing lifelong friendship. I also Family/status : Married to Eileen with 2 daughters Eva and Niamh enjoyed soccer, playing for Belfast Swifts, Sport and Leisure Swifts Best advice anyone ever gave you: You can only do your best and St Teresa’s Youth Club throughout my career. I am an avid Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching follower Manchester United and enjoy nothing more than going over career to Old Trafford to watch matches. I am married to Eileen and have 2 Be prepared to work hard, expected the unexpected, enjoy working lovely daughters Eva, 12, and Niamh, 8, and we enjoy nothing more with children they are the main aspect of the job and enjoy the than a summer holiday in the sun! holidays when they come.

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 13 was brought up with Irish and loved both science and languages at school. One of my dreams at that stage was to Ibe a chemistry teacher in France but little did I know that I Rút Ní Bhléine would eventually fulfil my dream of teaching chemistry not through French but through my native tongue. After working Coláiste Feirste as a Scientific Officer I decided to go back and study a part- time Masters by research in Biochemistry to give me more School website: www.colaistefeirste.org time with my young son and after that I was drawn to Subject: Biology and Chemistry. teaching as I felt it suited my personality. I found that I enjoy Studied at: University of Ulster at Coleraine, Queen's the variety of it, the constant learning, the fun and the unique University Belfast. daily interaction with young people of all backgrounds and First job: Scientific Officer at Belfast City Hospital tissue circumstances. I began working in Coláiste Feirste, then typing labs. Meánscoil Feirste, in 1994 when there was a total of 70 pupils What it taught me: A good work ethic, being able to work and a handful of teachers in temporary accommodation with well in a team and having a positive attitude in the work no state funding and I have been a part of the amazing place are paramount. More specifically, I learnt that checking journey to the school that it is today. At this same time I was released weekly to teach and support the science curriculum and double-checking work and results is always good in the newly established Meánscoil Doire in Derry and more practice and completely necessary when patients' health is recently helped as a science mentor when Gaelcholáiste concerned. Finally I learnt what an amazing, hard-working Doire in Dungiven opened. Coláiste Feirste now has a brand and caring bunch of people make up our NHS. new extended building, a state of the art sports centre, almost Family/status: Four sons and a daughter. 700 pupils and a vibrant and mutually supportive staff that Best advice anyone ever gave you: Each day is a new page oozes positivity, creativity and compassion – hard to beat. and a fresh start. Assume others are doing the best they can Teaching in the Irish language sector has given me the added in their circumstances and your relationship with them will fulfilment of knowing that we are all building a future improve as you further support them. Ultimately you will get community of Irish speakers and as we address each other on the best from them (both pupils and colleagues). first name terms, we have a natural and easy connection with Best advice you could give someone thinking of a all past pupils where ever we meet them. Developing the first teaching career: It is true when they say that teaching is the Irish language A-Level courses in Biology and Chemistry toughest but most rewarding job there is. Remember what a within the school has been extremely hard work but it has privilege it is. The longer you teach the more you will see the more than paid off when I see our pupils achieve careers in rewards due to the benefits and possibilities that open up to science, being both bilingual in their fields and immensely a pupil when you believe in them, respect them, demand proud of their educational experience. In my free time I from them but still have fun with them. I feel that teaching practice yoga and run to keep fit and feel good. After can be a good mood creator as the only way to start a day in beginning a couch to 5K programme in 2017 I was extremely front of pupils is to smile and act as if you are on top form as proud to have completed my first half-marathon last year with we never know what they have come from that morning, and the support of the fantastic Ormeau Runners. For enjoyment I invariably the positivity will rub off. If you find that you are am a bit of a traditional Irish music junkie, going to gigs, losing your enthusiasm, try and delve a bit into your subject playing fiddle as often as possible and singing whenever I get that you love. Passion is infectious. the chance.

Ba mhaith le foireann, daltaí, Bord na nGobharnóirí agus pobal Choláiste Feirste comhghairdeas ó chroí a ghabháil le Rút Ní Bhléine as an mholadh Blackboard a fuair sí. Tá Rút ina seoid ag daltaí an Ionaid. Tá foighne gan smál, chomh maith le croí mór maith agus díograis gan teorainn aici. Bheadh daltaí an Ionaid caillte gan í agus tá muid an-bhródúil go deo as an mholadh seo atá iomlán tuillte aici.

The Staff, Pupils and Board of Governors of Colaiste Feirste would like to give heartfelt congratulations to Rút Ní Bhléine on her Blackboard nomination. Rút is a gem to the pupils of the school. She has endless patience, a big good heart and boundless zeal. The pupils of the school would be lost without her and we are extremely proud of her well-earned nomination.

14 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Elaine Craig

Ashfield Girls' High School

School website: www.ashfieldgirls.org Subject : Library. Your place of birth: Belfast/ Studied at: Ashfield Girls' High School First job: Personnel Secretary at a national coal and oil company. What it taught me: Working in a large company taught me that everyone is an individual with different skills, interests, abilities and Curtis Darragh ways of learning and I have taken that into the school environment. I love working with new groups of girls who come into the school Wheatfield Primary School every year with different personalities and helping them grow through new learning. School website: wheatfieldps.co.uk Family/status : Married to Thomas and we have two children – Subject : Primary. Hannah (25) and Joshua (21). Your place of birth: Belfast. Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice I ever received Studied at: Queen's University Belfast. was from a Sunday School teacher who taught and encouraged us First job: Co-op. Geraldine Gorman to love God and love others, and as a Rainbow Guide Leader I try to What it taught me: Working in the Co-op since the age of 16 has live by the motto of the Girl Guiding movement which is to ‘Be taught me a number of things. Firstly, that relationships are key to St Peter’s Nursery School Prepared’. the growth of individuals. I learned many transferable skills which Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching I have been able to apply in my everyday teaching. Also working School website: www.stpetersnurseryschoolbelfast.com career: To instill a love of reading to pupils of all ages. Reading is in retail I think helps to build resilience, particularly if you meet the key to success in all areas of the curriculum and the only way to Subject : Music and Education. unhappy customers. Your place of birth: Belfast. learn about the world around us. As Dr Seuss said: “The more you Family/status : Single. Studied at: St Mary’s University College. read the more you know.” Best advice anyone ever gave you: During a staff development First job: Music Tutor. day I watched a TED Talk from a lady called Rita Pierson. Her What it taught me: My first job as a Music Tutor taught me that have been working in Ashfield Girls’ for almost 20 years. I motto was "Every child needs a champion" which highlighted the sometimes think I have never left the place as I was also a pupil teaching made me happy. It made me realise that I could use importance of valuing relationships and building self esteem and music to enrich people's lives while at the same time working to Ihere. During my time working in the library technology has resilience in young people. I strive to be a champion for every improve my community. moved on quite considerably. Ashfield was one of the first post- child that I encounter in my classroom and my school because I primary schools in Northern Ireland to introduce the Accelerated Family/status : I am the daughter of Gerard and Pauline Gorman. am presented with a golden opportunity to guide them on their Youngest of seven and sister to Olivia, Ciara, Michael, Gemma, Reader Programme which has been a tremendous success in the journey to being their best possible selves. Rita Pierson: "I was reading life of our pupils. As a result, the library is constantly a busy Kevin and Paula. Partner of Patrick and stepmum to Emilie. somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave." Auntie to 10 nieces and nephews. hub at break and lunch. I introduced a number of events during the Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching Best advice anyone ever gave you: My mum and dad always school year such as our ‘Blind Date’ with a book (books are covered career: To anyone wishing to enter a teaching career, I would say encouraged me to work hard, try my best and to never give up. so pupils and staff do not know what they have to read), and have high aspirations and expectations of yourself and your themed Afternoon Tea Parties, whereby members of the local It’s a simple piece of advice but has always stuck by me. pupils. Break down the barriers to learning and maximise the Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching community are invited to school for afternoon tea with pupils as a learning experiences in your classroom because your pupils will means of saying thank you. These guests have included doctors career: The following quote by Rita Pierson is the best advice I forever remember them. Teaching is difficult, there is no question have used throughout my career: “Every child deserves a from the Royal Victoria Hospital, charity workers, community about it, but I also believe that it is undoubtedly the most workers, primary school teachers, social workers etc who have champion, an adult who will never give up on them.” No matter rewarding career that I could possibly think of because teachers what, as a teacher you need to be there for the children in your been nominated by pupils because of the impact on the pupil’s life. imprint on the lives of their pupils, whether negatively or Both guests and nominees receive a book. The library is completely school to support, encourage and help them strive to be the best positively, therefore be the best teacher you can be for your they can be. transformed to fit our theme and this year we held a Charlie and the pupils. Chocolate Factory party. In previous years themes have included A Christmas Carol and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. These graduated from St Marys University College with a BEd Music his is my second year of teaching. I have spent all of my in 2012. Since my teaching career began I have had the events bring reading alive for the pupils and is another way of teaching career at Wheatfield Primary School in North encouraging them to read more. I also implemented the ‘Class Iopportunity to work in amazing schools and alongside such TBelfast. I currently teach a Primary 6/7 composite class that inspirational teachers. I had the fantastic opportunity to work for Libraries’ initiative whereby all classrooms have their own, are the most fantastic group of children that I have ever met. Prior Full Service Community Network for a year which helped broaden individualised selection of books for all ages and abilities to use to my teaching career at Wheatfield Primary School, I worked as during the school day. In line with the school's mission of managing my skillset and was a place where I made friends for life. I have a Classroom Assistant in Currie Primary School in North Belfast. been working in St Peter’s Nursery in West Belfast for the past anxiety, reinforcing resilience and working on mindfulness I arrange During this time, I worked with a Primary 5 class at Currie PS with crafting sessions for students. I also hold craft making three years alongside my colleague and friend Ríoghnach Hall a teacher called Miss Stevenson and instantly fell in love with the who has helped me develop as a nursery practitioner. I have sessions for staff on Wellbeing Days and Year 8 induction days. idea of teaching younger children. She was a true inspiration and During the past number of years, I have also assisted with Sixth never felt happier in a role as my love for teaching and even when I teach now, I reflect on my mannerisms and think that community is combined. I have learned so much from my Form supervision, supporting pupils in completing UCAS forms and is exactly how she taught. When I am not teaching, I enjoy going applications. Working with the Sixth Year pupils I have been able to colleagues and friends and every day presents a new opportunity to the gym and I occasionally write poetry. I absolutely love to learn. I feel such support from all my friends in St Peter’s and build a good rapport with the girls and this in turn has led to them music; some would argue I have poor taste, however if you are becoming Senior Librarians, rising in number every year to a as a staff we work so hard to ensure our children achieve success ever in my classroom (Theatre of Dreams) you will no doubt hear in every way. Special thanks must go to my mum and dad who current total of 30. I can honestly say that I love my job, the a song to accompany the learning. interactions with the pupils and staff, and seeing the girls develop a never let us forget our true capabilities growing up, my amazing love of reading during their time at school. partner Patrick , my beautiful stepdaughter Emilie and my brothers and sisters for their continuous support and love.

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 15 carefully. Get some experience working with children to see do you Carol Thompson actually like working with children and think beyond the number of holidays. It expects commitment like no other profession as you care for Botanic Primary School children not only educationally, but also emotionally. In so many of our schools now we are faced with issues beyond the teaching in our School website: www.botanicprimaryschool.com classrooms, with the highs being incredibly high but the lows being Subject : Primary 3 and Maths Support. some of the worst experiences you will ever have. Your place of birth: Downpatrick. Studied at: Down High School, Stranmillis College, Belfast, Queen's am the Vice-Principal in Botanic Primary School, Belfast. I have a University Belfast. B.Ed., from Stranmillis College, and an Advanced Certificate in First job: Drumaghlis Primary School Primary 3 and 4 composite class. IEducation, a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Education and a M.Sc. What it taught me: My first job teaching in Drumaghlis Primary School In Collaborative Education from Queen's University Belfast. Also a taught me that I loved to teach more than I thought possible. The school Professional Qualification in Headship from RTU. I also attended the had until then been a two-teacher school and I became the third National Science Centre in York over a two year period developing the teacher, in the middle of the countryside where you could take the skills of Science Coordinators. I am in my tenth year as Vice-Principal in children on a true nature walk whenever you felt like it. Botanic and I was in my previous school, Orangefield PS, for 19 years. I As it was a composite class of P3 and 4 and SEN P5, I had to taught in my first school Drumaghlis PS for four years. Botanic PS has differentiate for everything, before the term was even used in education an enrolment of 220 pupils, including the Nursery Unit, with 55 per cent circles. Newcomers/EAL , 57 per cent free school meals and 26 languages. I Family/status: Married. am responsible for the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 as well as Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice that I was given, or being Head of Pastoral, Curriculum Coordinator, Teacher Tutor, World rather I saw it modelled by a particular teacher every day in life, was to Around Us Coordinator and Maths Coordinator. I teach P3 and Maths make time for all members of staff and pupils. To take interest in Support. An important part of my role is to support new families and colleagues, cleaners, classroom assistants, teachers etc. so they feel help them settle into our school and understand our education system. valued and in times of difficulty at home or in school supported. Also a As the person responsible for Pastoral Care I have the privilege of ‘Good morning’ or ‘How are you?’ to pupils you meet in the corridor so supporting pupils and staff in times of celebration and difficulty at they feel that there is someone interested in them if they ever need school and at home. I am part of the CCEA Maths Ideas group and I am someone to talk to. also an Associate Assessor with the ETI. I am an accredited facilitator Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: with OLEVI and work with a collaboration of Northern Ireland schools to The advice I give to people thinking of a teaching career is to think very develop learning and teaching.

am a SEN Classroom Assistant. I have worked in Knocknagoney Anne Sanders Primary School for thirteen years and I am also a past pupil. The Icommunity holds a special place in my heart and I always wanted Knocknagoney Primary School to give back to Knocknagoney in whatever way I could. I have always fought to ensure that children with SEN received the support they School website: www.knocknagoney.co.uk/ deserve so that they can fully access all aspects of the mainstream Subject : SEN Classroom Assistant. school environment. Although being a SEN Classroom Assistant is my Your place of birth: Belfast. primary role, I love giving back to other aspects of the school. I share Studied at: Rupert Stanley College. my love of football with the children and help coach the school team. First job: Island Day Centre. It was an honour to watch the girls lift a trophy for their tournament What it taught me: Patience, listening and understanding how last year. I believe it is an honour to work in a school with such a everyone has unique physical and emotional needs. positive ethos where there are no barriers between classroom Family/status : Married with two kids (29, 26). assistants and teachers. We all work closely together to provide the Best advice anyone ever gave you: Not everything requires a best school environment for all children. I feel privileged to work response straight away. Sometimes you just need to listen. alongside teachers to implement the Incredible Years programme Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: which engages parents in the community. Being a part of Remember, it's all for the kids and put their needs first. Follow their Knocknagoney Primary School is simply fantastic! It is truly more than ideas and allow them to help sculpt their own education. a job to me.

Congratulations to our Teacher in Charge on being nominated for a Blackboard Award – from the Staff, Pupils and Governors at St.Vincent’s.

Since taking over as teacher-in-charge of St Vincent’s, Mrs Donegan has worked tirelessly to break down barriers to learning for our young people. Part of this work has been to try, where possible to overcome inequality in provision. She firmly believes our young people deserve the best so repeatedly and successfully lobbied for funding to refurbish the drab interior of our building, so the environment our young people come to would be warm and welcoming. She recognises the changing needs of our young people and ensures all staff are trauma informed and fully trained to meet the presenting needs of each of our young people, so that the impact of adverse childhood experiences and specific learning needs are understood and lessened. As new needs arise, all resources are employed, including relevant external organisations and action is taken to ensure we are doing what we can to address that need. She introduced a nurture room for our increasing number of Year 8 intakes to ameliorate transitional stresses and facilitate more stability in their introduction to post-primary education. She has given our pupils a voice through the introduction of a Pupil Passport where pupils can share relevant information about behavioural triggers and learning preferences with staff, and also contribute to and therefore have autonomy of their behavioural and academic targets. Parents and carers are valued members of our school community. Mrs Donegan has created an innovative centre, built around a nurturing team ethos. We wish her every success in her nomination. – The pupils, staff and governors of St Vincent’s.

16 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS teaching a variety of subjects to young people who had experienced severe difficulty with learning and generally associated school with feelings of fear, frustration and failure. Bróna Donegan This is where I quickly learned that developing trusting relationships is central to raising the self-esteem of our young St Vincent's Centre people and only then can any learning begin. Building supportive relationships with pupils, where they can begin to Subject : Principal. trust others and believe in their own ability, is central to our Your place of birth: Belfast. work in St Vincent’s. Our hope is that if every child has access to Studied at: St Dominic's High School and UUJ. appropriate support, in a nurturing environment, they will be First job: Judo coach (Andersonstown and Maysfield Leisure able to reach their potential. Every young person deserves this Centres). chance. Teaching in a small centre gave me increased What it taught me: Very simply the importance of turning up – opportunities to take a real interest in my pupils’ lives and being there, being prepared, connecting with the people you are aspirations, and I shared mine with them. I developed strong working with and bringing enthusiasm. relationships with my pupils and their carers and strived to Attitude is as important as aptitude – no matter how good you provide a holistic approach to learning. This gave me the are at a job, you must contribute positively to others. confidence to apply for the Deputy Teacher in Charge role in Family/status : Married with four (mostly grown up) children – 2015. Soon after I found myself temporarily in charge, with the Cormac (24), Cara (23), Aoife (22) and Éle (17). responsibility to lead St Vincent’s towards improvement. This Best advice anyone ever gave you: Trust your gut. gave me and our incredible team the opportunity to bring about Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – ask, listen and learn. some changes that we felt would provide a safe, secure, Kindness goes a long way. nurturing environment for our pupils. We strived to raise levels Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching of engagement and achievement, and to foster personal and career: Working with young people is often challenging, but a academic growth for the young people in our care. Now, as true privilege as the rewards go far beyond salary. You will be Teacher in Charge of St Vincent’s, I ensure the main principles of challenged and changed, but for the better. Remember that the nurture are disseminated to all staff and are central to our importance of developing trusting relationships as a foundation approach. In order to meet each individual pupil’s needs we for learning cannot be overstated. The young people you will ensure that our young people’s learning is understood work with need nurturing in order to be able to learn how to developmentally and tailored accordingly. We work together to behave appropriately, to be able to use their curiosity ensure that each of our classrooms offer a safe base for our constructively, and to improve their self-esteem and develop pupils. We acknowledge the importance of transition in young self-confidence. This can be achieved through forming close and people’s lives and view all behaviour as communication. trusting relationships. And, as a wise teacher once told me – the Relationships are always at the core of what we do and any young people who need the most love often show it in the most breakdown of relationships must be dealt with in a restorative unloving ways. manner that maintains trust. Working as a team will always be the strength of a small centre. I am blessed to be surrounded by started my teaching career working as a PE teacher full-time like-minded, incredibly hard-working, caring and supportive in St Louise’s CC for seven years, and then seventeen years colleagues who believe in the potential of each of our young Ipart-time in St Rose’s HS, so I never really saw myself in my people. This is evident in our shared belief and vision to current role. I learnt that it is important to embrace change, even facilitate our young people to become resilient, independent when it is forced upon you. I arrived at St Vincent’s in 2012, learners who can contribute positively to society.

Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Give it a go, stay curious and don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes we make assumptions of Sally Thompson students too soon, especially when the students themselves believe their own negative brand. Putting a bit of heart into all your interactions and taking time every day Breda Academy to get to know the children in your care creates an environment where learning can take place-and is more School website: www.breda.academy fun. I would also encourage others to use curiosity as a Subject : English/Head of Careers Education. basis for your own professional development. Conducting Your place of birth: Bangor. my own action research while studying for my PGCE, DASE, Studied at: Heriot-Watt (MA LINT) and Manchester Senior Leadership and PQL qualifications has helped tailor Metropolitan University (PGCE). my approach and continues to motivate me at each stage First job: French and Spanish teacher at Lostock College, in my varied career. You also build up a network of Manchester. experienced practitioners outside of school who you can What it taught me: Teaching in multi-cultural secondary call on for advice if you are having a tough day. Of course, schools in Greater Manchester was a far cry from my own the students always know how to put a smile on your face experience at an all-girls grammar school in Bangor during and don’t let you take yourself too seriously. the 1990s. I was head-hunted for my first job, after completing two placements in similar schools in the area. have been teaching for 18 years and it has been a varied Being a linguist and a traveller at heart, I was fascinated by career. I started off in the Greater Manchester area, the dynamic culture and lengths the schools went to tailor Ispecialising in Languages. When I returned home, I their pastoral and curricular provision to pupils of all taught Languages to KS2 pupils in Kilmaine Primary School abilities and beliefs, from offering GCSEs in Urdu and and did supply work for six months before working in Bengali, to providing halal food in the school canteen. I Dundonald High School for a year. From 2005-2011, I wore specialised in teaching pupils with emotional, social and several hats in Knockbreda High School: French teacher to behavioural difficulties, as I found I could rely on my KS4, Literacy Support Teacher to SEN and EAL pupils, and creativity and sense of humour to engage even the most teacher of English Language and Literature to KS4. I challenging of students during my PGCE placements in completed a DASE in Special Educational Needs at similar schools. With the support of leaders, mentors and Queen’s from 2005-2007 and joined the KS3 ‘critical friends’ I had worked with along the way, I Communication team at CCEA in 2010, advising teachers developed my own style and grew in confidence with each across Northern Ireland in the assessment of term. Communication skills across the curriculum. Then in 2011, I Family/status : Single. was appointed Head of English and given the additional Best advice anyone ever gave you: ‘Proper planning and role of Literacy Coordinator in 2012. In January 2015, I was preparation prevents poor performance.’ (I have chosen seconded to the EA for six months, in the role of Field this version of the phrase). My dad always reiterated this Officer for School Improvement (Post-Primary Literacy). I while we were growing up. Any teacher with experience of joined Breda Academy in 2015, completed the EA Senior planning even a one-hour workshop for a year group can Leadership Pathways programme and was appointed Head understand how important it is to have all stakeholders on of Careers in 2017. In 2019, I enrolled in the PQL board and well-informed. Luckily, Barbara Edgar from qualification at Stranmillis University College and am now Young Enterprise has been super-efficient in helping us working with SLT and EA to develop an effective framework pilot the new Young Enterprise initiatives in our school this for careers provision in our school. year.

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 17 Katie Livingstone Belfast Central Training currently work as the Essential Skills Coordinator at Belfast Central Training School website: www.bctl.org Iwhere I teach Essential Skills Subject : English/Employability/Personal Communication to students on the Training Development. for the Success/ Apprenticeships NI Your place of birth: Belfast. programme as well as delivering Studied at: St Dominic's and UUJ. certificates in Employability and Personal First job: Receptionist at a beauty salon. Development. I have also worked as a What it taught me: How to interact and Literacy Learning Support Tutor in St Mary's communicate with a range of people and CBGS. I graduated from UUJ in 2012 with a the importance of getting up and showing degree in Speech and Language Therapy. up. During my studies I had placements in Family/status : Getting married to Frederico various settings over the three years in Portugal this June! including hospitals, residential facilities Best advice anyone ever gave you: To and various schools which gave me vast treat everyone I meet equally, with kindness experience of working with children and and respect and that manners cost nothing. adults with a range of needs. I then went on Best advice you could give someone to achieve my Certificate in Teaching in thinking of a teaching career: Don't be 2016 from UUJ. I also completed a course too hard on yourself when you start out – in Portuguese at Queen's University Belfast use every piece of feedback you receive as in 2017. I achieved my GCSEs and A-Levels a means to better your practice. Don't be in St Dominic's Grammar School. I count afraid to ask your colleagues questions and myself lucky that I had the best experience take inspiration from each other. at school and made my lifelong friends there. I love reading, travelling and spending time with my family. I really enjoy the work I do at Belfast Central Training. I

! !

Congratulations to Katie Livingstone on

your Blackboard Teaching Award Katie Livingstonenomination is the Essential Skills Coordinator at Belfast Central Training.

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Dundonald High School ircumstances meant I was unable to go to Christine McCullough university at 18. I got married at 20 and had three School website: www.dundonaldhigh.co.uk Clovely children. I went to uni when they were at Subject : Science primary school and following my PGCE got a permanent Your place of birth: Belfast position in Dundonald High School teaching science. I Studied at: Queen’s University Belfast. was in no doubt that I had managed to reach the career First job: Shop assistant age 15 in McBride’s corner that I had always wished for. I truly enjoy engaging with shop the young people and my drive to get the best of them What it taught me: This job taught me that if I want to helps them succeed. I realised early on that pastoral achieve I need to work hard for it. It taught me how to care was my passion and after only two years I became communicate with a vast range of personalities and Head of Year 8. I then also became part of the also understand different needs Safeguarding Team and Designated Teacher and Family/status : Married 30 years with three grown Counselling Key Contact eight years ago. I developed children. the safety within school and the freedom for pupils to Best advice anyone ever gave you: My gran always express themselves and be counselled and upskilled said whenever you face difficulty it will pass. A myself by gaining a Level 3 Counselling certificate. colleague told me never say ‘hopefully’, always say Through my teaching and pastoral work I recognised ‘I/We will...’ that pupils’ blocks to learning seemed to be degree of Best advice you could give someone thinking of a resilience, self-management, concentration and teaching career: You need to be calm, consistent, emotional regulation. I was trained to teach the warm and have amazing stamina to help students Mindfulness curriculum and I am rolling out a reach their full potential. Teaching enables you to reach programme across the the school. My dream is to obtain a diverse range of young people who have many prior enough funding so that we can fully incorporate this experiences. You can really make a difference to these programme as it will ultimately lead to improved young lives academic achievement and improved mental health for all our students. I am now Pastoral Leader and involved in strategic direction and introducing a number of initiatives to ensure our young people get a quality experience in everything they do to reach their goal and succeed

Áine McConnell Gaelscoil Na bhFál

Subject : Primary 1 Classroom Assistant. Your place of birth: Belfast. Studied at: University of Ulster Magee. First job: Food and beverage staff at the Odyssey Arena. What it taught me: Getting my first job at 16 helped me learn the value of money and helped me boost my confidence skills. It also taught me the importance of teamwork, as one person’s information is another person’s knowledge. Family/status: Single. Best advice anyone ever gave you: What’s for you won’t go by you. And to always have a positive attitude towards everything you do Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: That children need us and want us to come to school every day ready to surround them with love and encouragement. The children need the best of us. If your considering a teaching/classroom assistant career go for it, it’s the most rewarding job in the world.

have been working as a classroom assistant in IGaelscoil Na bhFál coming up to four years now. Throughout these years I have met so many different children who have made such an impact on my life, and I just hope that I have done the same to theirs. Working with children, watching them grow and flourish has been so rewarding and inspiring. Being able to work alongside a great teacher has made the whole experience a lot better. I am truly thankful for the opportunities I have been given in life, for the places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met. I am shocked and thrilled to be nominated for this award.

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 19 Susan Steers Malone Integrated College have worked as a special needs classroom assistant for seventeen years. During this time I have had a great deal of fun and some tears. I have worked with some challenging School website: [email protected] I students and with those who have needed emotional support as Subject: Classroom Assistant. well as the traditional classroom academic support. I am a Your place of birth: Liverpool. Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and this helps with ideas and Studied at: Morrison Secondary Modern School for Girls, resources for notice boards, which I also enjoy. There are a lot of Liverpool. different things happening during the school day, as you never First job: United Biscouits, Sales Accounts Clerk. know how the students are going to come in. I also enjoy the What it taught me: Patience and the ability to work within a friendship of the people I work with, we all work extremely hard large workforce environment. to support the students in our care. I am a minister without Family/status: Maried with four children and two cats. charge in the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland Best advice anyone ever gave you: Find the positive in life. and I feel this helps a great deal with my job working in a school. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching I am married to a minister, we have been married for 34 years career: Treat all with absolute, unconditional positive regard. and we have four children aged from 21 to 32. I also enjoy Always smile no matter how awful you might feel. You have to walking, reading, painting and gardening. Last summer I went to remember some of the children may be suffering before they Poland to meet members of the Polish Brethren on a pilgrimage arrive at school. You might be the only pleasant, positive to their church and historic sites. influence in their lives.

Never say anything to a student you wouldn't say to your own child. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching Adrian Hodge career: Go for it! I have been teaching for over 30 years and still Glengormley High School totally enjoy it. Every day is different with new challenges and, finally, it keeps your mind active. School Website: www.glengormleyhigh.com first started teaching in London in the late 80s. I moved to Subject : Physics. Northern Ireland in 1990 and have worked at Glengormley Your place of birth: Bangor. High School ever since. I have had varied roles whilst here. I Studied at: Univerdity of Keele/University of Surrey. I have been a science teacher, a head of department, a senior First job: St Joseph’s College, London. teacher and I am now the Vice Principal in charge of pastoral What it taught me: Teaching can be challenging and no two care. I have enjoyed each of these roles in school and they have days are ever the same. Teaching makes a difference. Teaching all taught me different skills. The role I am most proud of is is a job with built-in variety, as you work through new units, being the Head of Pastoral Care. Our successful pastoral care teach new topics, and work with new children each year. programme means that every student is safe, happy, involved Family/status : Married. and able to perform to their potential. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Treat students with respect.

and training, you are a key figure in the children’s lives, there to support emotionally as well as academically. Be prepared for hard work, stressful days and a caffeine/chocolate addiction... Denise Greer but in return you’ll get the rewarding relationships, the lightbulb Donegall Road Primary School moments and the smiles, every single day.

School website: www.donegallroadps.com fter moving to Edinburgh and gaining a BSc in Psychology, Subject : Nurture teacher. teaching remained at the back of my mind so I completed Your place of birth: Ballymena. my PGCE and enjoyed two years in the lovely Lorne PS in Studied at: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh; Moray House A Leith. I returned home to be closer to family and settled in (Edinburgh University); Queen's University Belfast. Belfast where I was lucky to get a job in Donegall Road PS and First job: Customer Service Assistant at Dunnes Stores. have happily remained for the last 11 years. During that time, I What it taught me: Customer service skills, patience and have become Head of KS2 and completed a MEd in Literacy learning, that a smile can go a long way. Also maths skills – Difficulties. There is a lovely family feel in our school, the staff counting out change in the days before the tills did it for you. are all heroes, giving their all every day. My teaching colleagues Family/status : Single. are so supportive and always ready to laugh together, which Best advice anyone ever gave you: Every experience, whether it always helps to lighten the load. Since attending a ‘Young Hearts be positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn and improve. and Minds’ conference in 2018, I became enthusiastic about Also, more recently I was given a reminder that stepping out of developing nurturing and trauma-informed approaches within my comfort zone was important, which led to me accepting this our school where relationships come first. This year I created our nomination! self-funded Nurture Den, following the Nurture UK principles and Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching focusing on P2 children with SEBW difficulties. Being the career: I would definitely recommend getting some experience Nurture teacher has brought its challenges but I am loving it and first to gain a better insight of the job. I worked as a classroom I have enjoyed seeing the positive impact it has had in our assistant for a year before applying for my PGCE, the experience school. was invaluable. As a teacher you are more than just the theory

20 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Our Lady of Lourdes, Park Lodge St Mary’s CBGS

School website: School website: stmaryscbgs.com www.parklodgeschool.com Subject : History. Subject : All subjects Your place of birth: Belfast. Your place of birth: Belfast Studied at: Queen’s University Belfast and Studied at: Ulster University, Hope University Liverpool. Birmingham Polytechnic, First job: Lemonade delivery boy. St Mary's College at Queen’s University. What it taught me: The value of a pound First job: Lecturer at Rupert Stanley and the value of an education. College Futher Education, Belfast. Family/status: Married to Claire with two What it taught me: Be prepared, be children Connla (3) and Lughan (1). flexible, be understanding. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Life Family/status : Two children – Tyrone and doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get Etain. stronger and more resilient. Best advice anyone ever gave you: Be Best advice you could give someone true to yourself. thinking of a teaching career: From the Best advice you could give someone outset become organised, more organised thinking of a teaching career: Be than you have ever been, this will allow you knowledgeable about what you teach, to carry out your duties more effectively. Be creative in your thoughts and passionate consistent in everything you do, this will in the delivery. earn you the respect of pupils, parents and staff. Finally, be empathetic with everyone eborah Mulvenna has been in you encounter, this will show people you education for 32 years. She started care. Dher teaching career as a lecturer in third level education, then taught am passionate about educating young secondary level and is presently in the people in the area that I grew up in. primary sector where she has been IHaving taught in St Mary’s for 12 years, I teaching for 21 years at Our Lady of can say with confidence that the youth in Lourdes Primary School, Park Lodge. She our community have as much talent and has a B.A.(Hons) and an MA in Fine Art. potential as anywhere. During my career I Deborah is the Coordinator for Health have committed myself to the development Education in the school and more of young people inside and outside of the recently became a member of the classroom, through the teaching of History, Community Resilience Programme team my role as a Head of Year, as a first aider, within the school. Alongside her career in coaching Gaelic football, hurling, cross education Deborah is a qualified Irish country and leading school ski trips dance teacher, adjudicator and grade throughout Europe and the USA. I have the Deborah Mulvenna examiner with the Irish Dance Brendan McComb privilege of workIng in a dedicated team of Commission. Through this she has staff that provide the highest possible travelled extensively, produced dancers standards of academic tuition, support and for major shows and attained many pastoral care for our students. Outside of international titles including several school I am a lifelong member of Lámh World Championships. Dhearg CLG, a club that I am proud to be associated with. I am currently studying for a Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Queen’s University Belfast.

The Staff, Pupils and Board of Governors of Malone College would like to congratulate Susan Steers and Nicola McIntyre on their nominations for Blackboard Awards. Well done and good luck from all at the College.

45 Finaghy Rd N, Belfast BT10 0JB T: 028 9038 1988 www.malonecollege.org.uk

THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 21 Mairéad Jack Gaelscoil Na Móna y educational journey started at the amazing Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh. It was here that I first developed my School website: www.gaelscoilnamona.com Mlove for the Irish language. As a result of the fantastic Subject : Teaching Assistant. educational experience I received as a child here, I realised, I Your place of birth: London. too wanted to work in a nurturing, positive and empowering Studied at: Coláiste Feirste. environment when I grew up. This is something I have achieved. First job: Sales Advisor, HCL Technologies, Belfast. I love working along side my dedicated work colleagues at What it taught me: It taught me to have confidence in myself Gaelscoil na Móna. I have worked here for seven years and have and how to work as part of a team, but most importantly it enjoyed every minute of it. I have learnt a lot in my years taught me that the call centre life was not for me. working here. Our school motto is 'Ní neart go cur le chéile' Family/status : Single. which translates to 'Strength in unity'. This motto describes our Best advice anyone ever gave you: 'Always do the right thing, nurturing school very well. We work together to provide the best every day, for yourself and others.' My father told me this education for our pupils. I remember the importance growing up. It has always stuck with me and it’s something I extracurricular activities had on my confidence and social skills always try to live by. during my childhood. This is the reason I decided to start an Art Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching Club to promote creativity in our children. It is a pleasure to career: My advice would be to make sure you’re passionate. It work within my community and with our local children to shape goes without saying that in order to do something well you must our next generation and I hope to continue to do so for many genuinely be passionate about it. years to come.

Fionnuala Gillespie Holy Child Primary School grew up in Belfast and attended Holy Child Primary School as School website: www.holychildps.com a child, in fact all my five sisters and mother attended the Subject : (SEN) Classroom Assistant. Ischool. The school has always played an important role in my Your place of birth: Belfast. life and it was my aspiration when I was growing up to pursue a Studied at: Belfast Metropolitan College. career working within a school environment. Following First job: (SEN) Classroom Assistant. secondary school I attended Belfast Metropolitan College and What it taught me: That children are an inspiration and they studied a Level 3 diploma in Childcare and Education to begin deserve the best in life despite the difficulties and challenges working towards my goal. I was successful and began working they face on a daily basis. in Holy Child Primary School in 2012 as a special needs Family/status : No children. classroom assistant. I love supporting children to learn, develop Best advice anyone ever gave you: Treat others how you would and reach their full potential. It is a very exciting and rewarding like to be treated. job. Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: I would recommend anyone who has a passion for children and their development and would like to be part of their journey to pursue a career in teaching. It is hard work, however it is extremely rewarding working and supporting children through their education.

ood evening. As proud charity partners of Danske Bank, fundraising, volunteering time and skills, mentoring and other Extern is honoured to be included as part of this joint initiatives, will help make so much more possible for Gevening’s Blackboard Awards. We would like to offer our vulnerable young people right across Northern Ireland. congratulations to all nominees, and we hope everyone has a Every day, right across Northern Ireland, Extern’s staff work wonderful and memorable evening. alongside teachers, and in partnership with the Education Every year in Northern Ireland, Extern provides life- Authority, to ensure that children can remain in education, changing interventions and supports to over 6,000 young accessing the opportunities they need to ensure a brighter people, many of whom are vulnerable and marginalised. future for themselves. We’re incredibly proud of that work, and Over many years, our work with vulnerable young people has of the difference it has made in so many young lives. given us a real insight into just how important it is for them to We hope you enjoy this evening’s celebration of the difference have strong and positive influences in their lives. And for you make every day. many of the children we work with, it is our keyworkers, along And if you would like to keep up to date with the work we with a trusted teacher, who are often the only adults they feel do, or find out more about how you can support us through they can turn to for guidance. fundraising, events and volunteering, please visit That’s why we are so honoured to be a part of tonight’s www.extern.org or email [email protected] event, as we celebrate the best and brightest of Northern Ireland’s teaching talent in this fantastic ceremony. Charlie Mack, We are also incredibly honoured to have been chosen as CEO, Danske Bank’s charity partner for 2020. Their support through Extern

22 THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS Join our multi award-winning college

www.belfastmet.ac.uk THE 2020 BLACKBOARD AWARDS 23

Let Danske Bank help your students get SMART

At Danske Bank we believe that children should be Delivered face-to-face in classrooms by Danske employees, the content is tailored for different age groups and helps build encouraged to learn about personal finance from financial confidence through engaging, interactive activities. an early age and that’s why we have developed our SMART programme, which includes SMART Junior SMART Junior introduces the topic of money to Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils. Children learn the for 5-11 year olds and SMART for 13-17 year olds. basics of what money is, how they can earn it, how to prioritise spending, and the importance of saving.

The SMART modules for post-primary students cover the importance of budgeting and saving, how credit and debit cards work, the difference between buying and renting property, and business and entrepreneurship.

For more information on getting your school involved, please contact your local branch.

Danske Bank is a trading name of Northern Bank Limited which is Registered in Northern Ireland (registered number R568) authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Registered Office: Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JS. Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Northern Bank is a member of the Danske Bank Group.

9349 DB SMART Blackboard Awards ad 265x330mm MH3.indd 1 14/02/2020 14:52