PODCASTS
Click here to play episode one
Podcast 1 – Perfect or Perfectly Good
In this podcast, Dr Frances Burgess and Aidan McKeown talk to Dr Geraldine Magennis-Clarke about being perfect or perfectly good in the classroom. Geraldine emphasises the importance of pacing oneself in a teaching career, advising against rushing into promotions or overcommitting early on. She cautions against comparing oneself to others on social media, as those portrayals may not reflect reality, potentially leading to unnecessary pressure and stress. Additionally, stressing the significance of learning to say no, avoiding the trap of people-pleasing and recognising that it’s okay to change one’s career trajectory if needed. This podcast also highlights that managing work-life balance is crucial for long-term sustainability in the profession and suggests seeking support before reaching a breaking point. Geraldine also encourages managers to be allies to their staff, understanding and supporting their well-being. Finally, the participants underscore the importance of mental well-being, recommending activities outside of education to decompress and maintain a healthy balance.
Click here to play episode two
Podcast 2 – AI in Education
In this podcast, Karen McGivern talks to Danielle McKernan, a member of the Senior Leadership Team at St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon and Geraldine Parks, St Mary’s University College, Belfast about AI in education. Danielle delves into the intricate world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relationship with virtual reality (VR), elucidating their differences and intersections. Sharing her personal journey, Danielle unveils her passion for AI and discusses her initial fascination with its limitless possibilities, igniting her exploration of the subject during her school years. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking amidst AI’s advancements and its potential impact on society. Danielle touches on the intriguing aspects of AI-induced hallucinations and underscores the need for respect and ethical considerations in AI development. Envisioning the future, she articulates a vision of AI’s widespread embrace, underscored by a call for a thoughtful and mindful integration into our lives.
Click here to play episode three
Podcast 3 – Supporting Newcomer Children
In this podcast, Dr Geraldine Magennis-Clarke and Aidan McKeown talk to Ann Pendleton and Sophie Cocault from the Full-Service Community Network about how educators can best help support newcomer children and families as they settle into our society, and particularly our education system. Both interviewees clarify a variety of terms that are in common usage when referring to immigrant families but have different implications, despite often being used interchangeably. They go on to outline the very broad reach their organisation has, in relation to the wrap-around provision it offers to those families who come to live in Northern Ireland from various parts of the world and who have limited/no English, as yet. They reframe the often-erroneous view that immigrants take more from their host society than they bring to it. They elaborate on the bespoke help they can offer to primary and post-primary schools, especially, but not exclusively, in the Upper Springfield and Lower Falls catchment areas of West Belfast. This help includes advice and assistance with in-class pedagogies, information on interpreter services, support with family liaison and homework clubs, to name but a few.
Click here to play episode four
Podcast 4 – Importance of Entrepreneurship In Education
In this podcast, Karen McGivern and Caitlin Murray are joined by Neil Allen, Director of the Innovation Factory, Belfast. They discuss the importance, strategies, challenges and prospects of integrating entrepreneurial skills into educational settings, so that valuable insights can be provided to student teachers seeking to enhance their teaching practices. They talk about how understanding the significance of nurturing entrepreneurial skills in contemporary education is essential for pupils from primary to post-primary levels. By defining “entrepreneurial skills” within an educational framework, the speakers suggest that it becomes imperative to identify key competencies vital for educators to cultivate in student teachers and to effectively foster entrepreneurship among school children.
Click here to play episode five
Podcast 5 – Daily Mile Network N.I.
In this podcast, Dr Frances Burgess speaks to Dr Brenda McKay-Redmond and Dr Gavin Breslin about the Daily Mile initiative in Northern Ireland. The Daily Mile aims to encourage children and young people, alongside their teachers, to spend 15 minutes of their school day walking, running or wheeling for at least 3 days per week. The idea for establishing the Daily Mile in Northern Ireland came to Brenda and her colleague, Barbara McConnell, when they were teaching an undergraduate module in Stranmillis University College entitled Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. Inspired by the Daily Mile initiative in Scotland, the Daily Mile Network NI was established in 2019, drawing a range of organisations together to support further implementation. In this podcast, Brenda talks about how the idea developed and describes the ethos and principles of the Daily Mile. She also talks about its reported benefits promoting the social, emotional and physical health of young people in schools. As head of research for the network, Dr Gavin Breslin discusses the current research evidence surrounding the Daily Mile and what more can be done to strengthen its research-informed influence in coming years.
Click here to play episode six
Podcast 6 – Science of Reading
In this podcast, Dr Geraldine Magennis-Clarke talks to Philip Lavery, who is the Vice-Principal of Mount Saint Michael’s Primary School in Randalstown, about their collaborative research project titled “From Faltering to Flowing: One Primary School’s Journey Embedding Oral Reading Fluency in Key Stage 2”. They explore how they met, and together forged a professional relationship around the need to ‘do things differently’ in the classroom, regarding literacy provision, post-Covid. Their conversation shines a light on the process of getting started, maintaining buy-in and tracking progress from the point of view of the teachers, children and parents. All of this takes place within the confines of the current but ever-changing research evidence base. Philip leaves listeners with sound take-aways for those wishing to make the complex move from theory to practice within the Northern Ireland educational context.
Podcast 7 – Inside St. Malachy’s PS Carnagat’s Transformative Nurture Room
In this podcast, Karen McGivern and Aimee Gallagher speak with Kate Carragher (Vice-Principal and Learning Support Co-ordinator) and Sarah Mackle (Nurture Teacher and Pastoral Care Co-ordinator), both from St Malachy’s PS Carnagat in Newry. They delve into the exemplary practices of the school, which is dedicated to nurturing children’s social, emotional and behavioural development through the implementation of nurture rooms or groups. Their discussion uncovers the core principles and strategies that underpin their success, highlighting the importance of personalised support and holistic approaches. Moreover, they explore how this school seamlessly integrated nurture groups into the broader educational framework, ensuring that students receive essential support while actively participating in mainstream classes. Central to their achievements is the pivotal role played by the Nurture Advisory & Support Service (NASS), which provides invaluable guidance and resources to enhance the school’s nurturing approaches. Through compelling examples and anecdotes, they discover the tangible outcomes of their efforts, witnessing remarkable improvements in children’s wellbeing and academic engagement. Lastly, they explore the transformative power of shared activities within nurture groups, such as communal mealtimes and structured social interactions, in fostering a culture of support and inclusivity. Through these experiences, the school has taught invaluable lessons on building resilient and empathetic communities within educational settings.
Podcast 8 – Navigating Teacher Recruitment: Insights From St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, Newry
In this podcast, Karen McGivern explores teacher recruitment with the leadership team from St Paul’s High School, which includes Daithi Murray (Principal), Colm Murphy (Curricular Vice Principal) and Claire Maguire (Learning & Teaching and Teacher Professional Learning). They discuss key attributes sought in prospective teachers, such as passion, adaptability, strong communication skills and a commitment to continuous learning. The team highlights how the recruitment process has evolved with technology and virtual interviews, streamlining efforts and broadening the candidate pool. Common mistakes by candidates, such as lack of preparation and insufficient understanding of the school’s ethos, are addressed with practical tips for improvement. Innovative strategies for attracting top talent, like leveraging social media and hosting virtual open days, are shared. Support systems for new teachers transitioning to full-time roles, including mentorship and professional development, are also discussed. Advice for new graduates emphasises resilience, relationship-building and staying current with educational trends. The podcast concludes by addressing common misconceptions about the teaching profession and by offering a balanced perspective on the challenges and rewards of teaching.