Why did you choose teaching and why Hibernia College? 

My own experience attending primary school was positive and holistic, and I wish to extend that to others. I enjoy the variety and opportunities for creativity afforded by teaching as a profession. The PME with Hibernia College allowed me the flexibility to commute from home.

Bhí eispéaras scoile an-dearfach agam féin sa bhunscoil agus ba mhaith liom é sin a roinnt le daltaí óga. Bainim taitneamh agus tairbhe as an éagsúlacht a bhaineann leis an múinteoireacht agus as na deiseanna chun a bheith cruthaitheach atá mar chuid den phroifisiún. Bhí solúbthacht ó thaobh taisteal ag baint leis an Máistreacht Ghairmiúl san Oideachas le Coláiste Hibernia.

What field of work or study were you in before you started your PME? 

I completed my undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology in UCC and a master’s degree in Environmental Psychology in the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

D’fhreastal mé ar Choláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh don bhunchéim agus bhain mé amach céim sa Síceolaíocht Feidhmeach. Bhog me chuig an Ísiltír agus bhaineas amach máistreacht i Síceolaíocht na Timpeallachta ó Choláiste na hOllscoile Groningen.

Can you tell us a bit about your research project and why you focused on this area? 

My research focused on Primary Teachers’ experiences of integrating Education for Sustainable Development into the Social, Environmental and Scientific Education curriculum. I have always been interested in this area and wanted to explore factors that support teachers in engaging with the subject area as we work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dhírigh mé ar eispéiris mhúinteoirí bunscoile agus iad i mbun Oideachas don Fhorbairt Inbhuanaithe a chomhtháthú leis an gcuraclam OSIE. Bhí suim mór agam sa ghné seo ó bhíos óg. Theastaigh uaim iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar na nithe a thacaíonn le múinteoirí agus iad ag dul i ngleic leis an ábhar seo agus muid ag iarraidh na Spriocanna Domhanda um Fhorbairt Inbhuanaithe a bhaint amach…

Now that you have graduated, what are your plans? 

I’m currently teaching in a newly established Gaelscoil and enjoying the unique opportunities afforded by that environment.

Táim ag múineadh faoi láthair i nGaelscoil a bhunaíodh le déanaí agus ag baint taitneamh as na deiseanna faoi leith a bhaineann leis an gcineál timpeallachta sin.

What piece of advice would you give to any person considering starting a PME?

Be prepared for hard work. Bí réidh don obair chrua.