There is a saying, however wise, that goes “Those who can’t do, teach”.

I’m a general Science teacher at Junior Cycle (GCSE Equivalent) level and more specifically a Biology teacher at Leaving Certificate (A-Level equivalent) in Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, an Irish language secondary school in Carlow, Ireland.  I have a bachelors degree in Environmental Biology and a Masters degree in Applied Carbon Management – I am really interested in environmental issues as well as Science generally.  I also have several postgraduate degrees and certificates in the Science (Art?) of teaching, and what I really love and am passionate about is young people!

I have taught in five different schools, each one very different to the last, but all with one thing in common – the young people in each were funny, entertaining, challenging, energetic, intelligent, creative, innovative; brilliant in short!

My job at Junior Cycle level involves teaching four separate strands – Biological, Chemical and Physical Worlds, Earth and Space, and The Nature of Science (i.e. how scientists work), as well as promoting innovation, curiosity, collaboration and the effective use of technology amongst students.

At Leaving Certificate the goal is similar but is more focussed on thirty-ish Biology topics based on the environment, organisms from the five kingdoms, and plant and animal systems.  Most importantly however my job is to teach students.  I love creating engaging and innovative learning experiences while always trying my best to ensure students are interested, challenged and of course achieve the required learning outcomes and are prepped for state exams.

Direct instruction forms a part of these learning experiences as do regular questions for investigation which students design experiments to reach conclusions on, group work projects involving final products such as presentations, posters, podcasts, videos and creating models, independent investigative learning activities and more. The goal generally is to help develop knowledgeable students who have an understanding of how the world works and the ability to analyse things critically to reach their own research/knowledge informed conclusions.

My current school is a Gaelcholáiste, which is a type of school in Ireland where Gaeilge (the Irish language) is the language of instruction and communication.  Having taught in several English medium schools I sought a move back to a Gaelcholáiste where I could combine my love of Science and teaching with my love of the Irish language.  Gaelcholáistí are a little behind English medium schools in terms of resources and content availablility simply because of the language barrier with English medium schools having strength in numbers. 

The small but passionate community of Science educators working through Irish are talented and hard working and along with a colleague, Emma, we are trying to connect these teachers and learners to bridge the gap to our English language counterparts.  Our resource and teacher networking website DBG Mata combines high quality teacher designed content, learning activities, accessible Science materials (e.g. videos, podcasts and articles) with a teacher forum and occasional online teacher meet-ups.  This project is one example of the many ways teaching provides opportunities to take on projects and develop skills beyond subject specific knowledge.

As you might imagine I take issue with that opening statement!  Those who teach inform, challenge, create and inspire, they are challenged along the way but have endless fun doing it.  Science itself teaches us that little can be achieved in isolation – I am happy in my role equipping the next generation of world changing scientists with the skills to start them on their journey.