Reflection on Placement overall.

Each placement I  have had the privilege to have completed has given me amazing experience and insight into the workings of school life, teaching and managing myself throughout it. I will leave this course not only a far better teacher, but a more organised, dedicated and creative person. 

1st Year Primary School Gaelscoil Placement: Gaelscoil choláiste Mhuire

• This placement taught me the foundations of being within a classroom. Organisation, patience, unpredictability and interacting with students. Working with fellow students made it both easier as we eased into teaching, and introduced new challenges of clashing ideas and compromises you would find in any art department. 

2nd Year Team Teaching Placement: Rosary College Crumlin

• Working within a DEIS school brought a number of challenges and exciting experiences while on this placement. I had the opportunity to work closely with the Host Teacher Patricia Magnone as she taught 6th year and LCA5, which I assisted with. LCA was an amazing course to observe and assist with, and watching an experienced teacher control and counteract the personalities within the class was an incredible learning opportunity. 

3rd Year Post-Primary Gaelcholáiste Placement: Gaelcholáiste Ceatharlach

• For this placement I returned to my old school. Having learnt through Irish i really enjoyed teaching through Irish and found it very natural. While there I created multiple resources and lessons, and interacted with all members of the school community through Irish. I had the chance to create and invigilate exams also.

4th Year Post-Primary Placement: Coláiste Eoin Hacketstown

• One of the biggest takeaways I have from this school is that events, occasions, interruptions and miscommunications are bound to happen in all schools. I had to adapt many lessons and units to align with the LipSync and a variety of other events. But it taught me to be ready for change, and to try and have a plan b in place.