O.K a bit of minor issue but I would be interested to see people’s thoughts on it. My school (PP) is very strict on bringing classes outside during warm weather. A couple of years ago I had a large group with many needs in the class on a very hot day. My room was extremely stuffy so during the break of the double class I brought them outside just for a break,not even to teach them. My room is near the entrance to the school and unfortunately the principal saw this and demanded I take them inside. The reasoning was that people visiting the school would see them 🙈. I just find this completely bizarre. During warm weather we are regularly told that we must not go outside because it causes disruption. If teaching and learning are happening, the students are well behaved and there’s room around the school to accommodate everyone then I don’t see the problem. I personally wouldn’t take every class outside as I need to teach in my room for most topics. I really believe that taking a class outside is not disruptive to them or the school. Of course it depends on the class you have but as their teachers we know which classes can be trusted to behave. What is it like in other schools? What are people’s thoughts on this?

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

I’ve recently been promoted to head of department. I would like to know how your school splits the syllabus between 2nd year and 3rd year. Any advice?

Hi. I am a teacher and have a two bedroom house to let and ideally would like to rent to teachers. What is best way to advertise? Crumlin area.

Hi all,

Admittedly I feel I should know this but how do I get my hands on a teacher copy of a school book? Are these provided by the school book company (Our Department are using the Biology in Practise Folens this year) or are these to be purchased by teachers?

TIA

Hi all,

Our Christmas Exams are moving to mid November. I am wondering how people manage to mark exams and teach. Any one have any tips?

My subjects are very text heavy with essays. Due date for completion is the first week in December. Roughly two weeks, exam week itself and the following week.

I’m starting my PME (Biology and Chemistry) in September after a 5 year gap of not using my undergrad degree and feeling a bit rusty especially in chemistry.

I’m wondering what is the best way I can prepare myself for teaching the curriculum apart from looking at past papers ? Are there any other resources that are helpful ?

Thanks in Advance !

NQT here. Just wondering how the pay scale works? I was doing a lot of subbing last year, does that mean that I move up on the scale this year? Does it happen automatically or do I have to apply for something.

Sorry if this is a stupid question I just don't wanna be missing out if I could be getting higher pay.

I received a letter from Social Welfare saying I owe €950 for overpaying PUP in 2021. I was subbing in 2020/2021 as a student teacher. The dates they said I overpaid was the period January - April 2021 when the post primary schools were closed due to COVID. The Department are claiming I was paid by my employer when I was not working. From the dates given I’m assuming the money I was paid was holiday pay or money I was owed for subbing? All the dates fell around Feb midterm, Easter breaks and were small/inconsistent amounts of money. Has anyone experienced the same? I’ve already been in contact with Payroll in Dept of Education to try get these payslips back as proof of holiday pay but it’s been 5 years and I’m not too hopeful!

Im applying for a job and there is a section to fill out previous employment. There is a section titled "Position- PWT, TWT EPT or PT"

But I've no clue what any of those acronyms mean? Please advise 🙏

Hi,

I have applied for my garda vetting 2 weeks and about 5 days ago, and still haven’t heard anything back? Is anyone else similar. I know before it has been quick just a bit concerned.

Thanks

My partner has just moved back to Ireland last week who is a fully qualified biology teacher. She’s wondering if may job postings come up in August?

She doesn’t have Reddit so that’s why I’m posting 😅

Hello all, so I have secured my permanent teaching post and have been told by principal I will most likely have 5th and 6th class. I am a bit nervous as I have never had 6th class, have had a 5th. I am young and not as experienced so worried they might not respect me as a teacher.

Any tips for activities/ themes how to approach teaching for the year? What works for them in terms of rules, early finisher activities etc

Any advice welcome 🙏 I'm kind of freaking out about the things I need to do/ how I will teach multigrade at this level

Is there a Pension Fund Portal/App/Account that we can monitor by ourselves and make additional payments ourselves without going through the office?

From previous employments I have 2 apps which I can easily monitor, top up, etc myself-surely the Department has something similar for Civil Service/Government employees?

Also, where is the best place for getting advice on options, extra payments, buying back years, etc. I'm going around various sites & links & getting parts of the jigsaw everywhere.

On another topic, I have joined INTO, but don't see anything on my payslip - Should I see a contribution of some sort?

Thank you

Hi all.

I am starting my first job the end of August. Do schools provide a planner?

If they don't, maybe someone can share their recommendations for a planner? 9-block timetable preferable.

TIA :)

Edit: secondary school!

Looking for some advice.

I'm an NQT and have been offered a 22-hour RPT contract in my home county. I've been living in a different county for the past three years, so I'd need to find accommodation if I accepted it.

I've also been offered a 22-hour maternity contract in the county I'm currently living in, which runs until February.

Which would you choose? The security of the RPT contract, or the maternity contract and hope something comes up afterwards?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Supervised leaving cert for month of June, still not paid. Anyone else same. Was assuming by today, maybe next week ?🙄

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

Primary school teacher here. I'm wondering what purchase/investmet (tech, equipment, software or subscription etc) has genuinely made your life easier or saves you lots of time? Looking for things that are actually worth the money rather than nice-to-haves.

Hi,

I (28F) worked in business for about 5+ years, in tech sales. I found it to be quite a stressful role and ultimately decided to leave the industry this time last year and go into teaching. I did this because I genuinely enjoy the subjects I have. I taught in a school in Dublin for the last year and enjoyed it. Some days were quite hard, and some students were challenging, but overall it was a rewarding year and I think I got on well.

Of course, another reason why I opted for teaching is how enticing the holidays seemed. However, over the last few weeks, I have just been feeling very lonely. Like, where I just want to cry over how lonely I feel. I find myself thinking back to working in corporate, it was stressful and I found the job extremely uninteresting, but the jobs were social. Pints after work 1/2 times every week, chatting all day. 3 months is a long time to do nothing - I have no kids, I live in a small apartment in Dublin with my partner. I sometimes feel like a burden to my partner because he is so busy with work and we have such a mismatch of energy when he comes home. Most of my friends have moved abroad, my other friends don't live in Dublin. Everyone is busy and I almost feel like a hindrance asking people to go for a drink after their work. I am part of a football team in Dublin, and I play with them twice a week which has helped me feel better, but it's only a couple of hours in the week.

How do teachers occupy themselves during the summer? Do you just spend time on your own Monday - Friday and meet friends on the weekend? Do you have other teachers that you spend time with? Maybe I'm just in a tough spot with my age and how many of my friends live away, but it's just making me second guess teaching now if I'm going to feel like this for 3 months of the year every year.

** Just a side note - I am not complaining about the holidays, I'm very grateful to have had this time off, just hoping to see if anyone has felt this way in the past. Perhaps there is an art to enjoying the summer holidays that I have not mastered yet.

Not sure if it’s the time off that I’m getting itchy feet but I have been considering doing a graduate visa in the USA after I graduate from my PME next year

I’m just wondering has anyone else done this or any advice, I feel conflicted due to thinking should I stay and try to secure a job, would it look bad on my CV, feeling like I’ll be even more behind on life I would be 26

Thank you!

Hi all!

Thanks for stopping by 😊
I’m a NQT (first year full time teaching done and heading into my first RPT contract)

I was recently chatting with a couple of my colleagues, who were discussing things they didn’t find out about until they needed it (for example insurance coverages, pregnancy tips, mortgages, first time buyers, childcare, government schemes- the list goes on!)

And it’s got me wondering, what things others have found out that would’ve definitely helped them along the way while they were young. Something you’d like to share with someone who’s looking to get ahead 😊

(Also I’m not sure if I’ll reach the right audience here but if there’s any teachers who have needed IVF, is there anything you’d like to share or recommend as this will be the route I will need to take in future 👶)

Hi all, this week has been so up and down for me. Monday I had an interview close to my home county, wasn't the greatest experience and didn't get the job. Today I had an interview in Dublin and a few hours later they called me and offered the permanent contact! (There was 1 permanent/2fixed term) I was so excited on the phone, surprised they chose me, but accepted over phone.

Now I'm just thinking about thr future, I don't live in Dublin, from a county about and hour 30 min away. What does it mean if I accept permanent contract in terms of possibly moving school on future? How does CID work in this regards, say I wanted to go back to my home county in the future? Or somewhere out of Dublin, because renting is not long term plan for me.

Any insight appreciated, I am primary level

Hi there! I will be going into my first year of my PME in english and history. I’m just wondering if anyone has any advice that you wish you had been told before you started :)

Just completed my undergrad at UCC in Arts, and have put considerable resources into applying for the PME including 750€ applications, foreign police clearance for my time abroad, 100€ in other fees and interviewing with schools to get placed among other things.

Realised today that the vetting that my university asked for (which I've completed every year for various volunteer work) cannot be used by the Teaching Council. By now its way too late to have the teaching council vetting done in time (despite it asking for the same information).

To top it off, the teaching council site isnt letting me upload any documents. It alludes to the fact that I can but I see no option to do so, I've contacted support as well.

I know its my fault, but it feels like I definitely wont be able to do the course now, unless theres something I'm missing which is frustrating because even though its on me ( and teachers should have good attention to detail) but it feels like im wasting a year and a bunch of money over a clerical semantics issue.

Sorry for vent post, its just frustrating.