Orla interviews Siobhan Fitzgerald, principal of Eglish National School, a small rural DEIS school in East Galway, where she says most pupils have experienced significant trauma and many are from the Traveller community. Siobhan describes developing the LET's Stand Public Speaking programme after noticing students could create strong PowerPoints but were unable to present, and she outlines teaching public speaking as incremental skills (e.g., structure with beginning–middle–end, eye contact, body language) using a model–share–guide–apply approach. 

The conversation links public speaking to student voice, listening, confidence, leadership, and teacher self-awareness, arguing that students need practice before being asked to share opinions and that teachers already use public-speaking skills daily. Siobhan discusses teamwork, coaching for school leaders, effective interview communication, and announces a forthcoming 10-book fiction box set for ages 7–13, published by Outside the Box, aimed at wellbeing and connecting children with nature.

TIMESTAMPS

• 02:13 School Context and Trauma
• 03:15 Public Speaking Spark
• 05:05 Building the Program
• 06:44 Kids Need a Voice
• 10:41 Listening and Student Voice
• 12:54 Teach One Skill
• 13:11 Speech Structure Hand Model
• 15:53 Eye Contact and Practice
• 17:25 Getting Staff Onboard
• 19:45 Teachers as Speakers
• 24:03 Skills and Reflection Time
• 26:37 Leadership Reflection Courage
• 29:04 Judgment and Visionary Style
• 31:07 Teamwork and Learning Leaders
• 31:25 Team Roles and Flexibility
• 34:17 Elastic Band Leadership Mindset
• 35:30 Leadership in Small Schools
• 39:01 Impact Over Comparison
• 41:46 Coaching for School Leaders
• 44:38 Public Speaking for Principals
• 48:41 Interview Answers and Authenticity
• 51:49 Jargon Versus Real Stories
• 57:18 New Children’s Book Series
• 01:01:17 Nature, Wellbeing and Farewell

USEFUL LINKS

Here are links to Siobhan's programmes for schools and children

• LET's Stand

https://4schools.examcraftgroup.ie/display-product-page/lets-stand-primary

• Listen, How Child and Student Voice can Change the World

https://www.routledge.com/Listen-How-Child-and-Student-Voice-Can-Change-the-World/KeenanFitzgerald/p/book/9781032750330

• Adventures in Coill Calm series

https://www.otb.ie/shop/well-being-sel-sphe/adventures-in-coill-calm/

[Interview by Orla Dempsey]

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Orla interviews Steven Farrell O Callaghan of Clark Recruitment on the Growth in Educational Podcast about his recent Home of the Year final appearance with his husband Mike, the publicity it brought, and his 18 years with Clark, which he officially took over in 2024 after joining in 2008. 

Stephen explains Clark’s relationship-driven approach to serving both employers and candidates, including on-site client visits, structured competency-based interviewing, candidate coaching, and an aftercare check-in process (weeks 1, 4, 6, 8, and 12). 

He discusses application volumes (e.g., ~300 for admin roles), international sourcing via partners and a work permit department, and the value and limits of psychometric tools (InnerMetrics/DISC) for hiring and team development. 

The conversation covers interview best practices, STAR storytelling, issues with untrained panellists, overly long multi-stage processes, and encouraging educators to take risks, apply even without every requirement, and seek mentoring.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:48 Home of the Year Spotlight
• 02:52 From Publicity to Networking
• 03:17 Recruitment Relationship Building
• 06:07 Sourcing and Application Volume
• 08:18 International Partners and USP
• 09:51 Leadership Qualities and Listening
• 11:27 Aftercare and Psychometrics
• 14:41 Better Interviews and Panels
• 22:05 Candidate Prep and Storytelling
• 24:23 STAR Technique Breakdown
• 25:20 STAR Story Endings
• 26:11 Interview Surprise Fallout
• 27:09 Too Many Interview Rounds
• 29:09 Why In Person Matters
• 30:24 Hiring Timelines Reality
• 31:56 Coaching Strengths Answers
• 32:51 Recruiter Value Explained
• 35:24 Long Term Relationships
• 36:52 Psychometrics For Teams
• 42:33 Competencies And AI Gaps
• 45:36 Apply Anyway Take Risks

CONTACT DETAILS

• Clarke Recruitment Website:  https://clark.ie/
• Watch Stephen and Mike on Home of the Year here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/home-of-the-year/SI0000000759?epguid=IP10017032-12-0007
• Clarke Recruitment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarkrecruitment/

[Interview with Orla Dempsey}

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Orla interviews primary teacher and Instagram creator Aislinn Nic Pháidín: (Is Muinteoir Mé) about taking a two-year career break to become a Teacher Fellow in DCU’s BEd programme after teaching since graduating from Marino in 2013/2014. Ashlyn describes her hesitant application process, fear of change, and practical trade-offs, including commuting, longer days, no school holidays, and a pay cut, balanced by funded further study and a Master’s. 

She explains the fellowship’s purpose of bringing current classroom insights into third-level teacher education, mentoring and visiting students on placement, and why it is limited to two years. Aislinn reflects on realising she was near burnout, feeling refreshed, revisiting best practice, and promoting relationship-building, balance, and well-being for student teachers. 

She discusses how drama built confidence, and how COVID led to webinars, Irish-language resources, and a bilingual teacher planner.

TIME STAMPS

• 00:43 Aislinn's Teaching Journey
• 01:52 Applying for the Fellowship
• 03:38 Fear of Change and Decision
• 06:32 Tradeoffs and Master’s Funding
• 07:15 Why It’s Only Two Years
• 09:13 Returning Refreshed
• 11:52 Sharing the Move Online
• 15:17 Qualities of Teacher Fellows
• 19:06 Imposter Syndrome and Team Balance
• 21:03 Relationships First
• 21:36 Teacher Wellbeing Boundaries
• 23:26 Rest Is Productive
• 25:23 Priorities And Time
• 27:13 Drama Builds Confidence
• 29:59 Showtime In Class
• 34:14 Planner Born In Covid
• 38:20 Helping Teachers Take Risks
• 39:10 Leap Of Faith Closing

[The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast

Host: Orla Dempsey]

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Brien Kearns, administrative principal of Castletown National School in Navan, County Meath, about his career from an early HR role in the Department of Justice to nearly 20 years in teaching and becoming a principal in 2020 just before COVID.

Brien explains how HR experience shaped his approach to relationship-building, communication, professionalism, and handling grievances, and how principals spend much of their time on “managing the organisation.” He discusses hiring for fit and strengths, supporting staff at different life stages, and the value of reflection through school self-evaluation and critical friends. 

Brien shares lessons from failing principal interviews before succeeding on his third attempt, emphasising credible, evidence-based answers, preparation, feedback, and perseverance. He advises using AI carefully without losing authenticity, and stresses following policy, circulars, and frameworks for fairness, trust, and protection. 

He closes with advice for new principals: be genuine, empower staff, seek help, show humility, and accept ongoing learning and imposter syndrome.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:23 From Teacher to Principal
• 02:28 HR Roots in Justice
• 05:31 Relationships Drive Schools
• 08:17 Hiring and Staff Fit
• 11:02 Duty of Care for Staff
• 12:38 Learning From Interview Failure
• 17:13 Postgrad and Answer Structure
• 18:36 Advice After Rejection
• 21:02 Feedback for Middle Leaders
• 23:12 Self Awareness as a Leader
• 23:42 Growth Through Change
• 24:31 Learning From Failure
• 25:36 Reflection Habits
• 26:51 School Self Evaluation
• 28:12 Critical Friends Network
• 29:37 Job Applications Lessons
• 33:23 AI Without Losing Voice
• 35:54 Policies And Frameworks
• 42:26 New Principals Advice
• 44:42 Imposter Syndrome Reality
• 45:43 Final Encouragement

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On the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, host Orla interviews photographer Jill O’Meara about personal branding and headshot photography for professionals, including ambitious teachers seeking leadership roles. Jill explains how she creates a safe, guided studio experience in Enfield, Co Meath - optional makeover, posing, real-time photo review, attention to detail, and tailored planning around clients’ colors and personality - to help clients feel grounded, confident, and accurately represented. They discuss the risks of outdated or unrepresentative images, the many uses for professional photos (LinkedIn, CVs, WhatsApp, newsletters, podcasts, speaking, awards, editorial, school websites), and Jill’s on-location staff headshot work. Jill shares her background in architecture, the importance of body language and “listening eyes,” and her takeaway: “do it anyway.”

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:36 Jill Studio Experience
• 01:52 Networking Photographer Life
• 03:14 Headshots And Authenticity
• 04:50 Teachers Confidence Online
• 06:44 Where To Use Photos
• 08:56 Personal Brand Explained
• 10:01 On Location Team Headshots
• 11:42 Architecture To Photography
• 13:07 Tailored Shoots Planning
• 17:07 Helping Camera Shy Clients
• 20:41 Clients Return And Legacy
• 22:41 Ripple Effects of Leadership
• 24:16 Home Self vs Work Self
• 25:36 Family Shoots and Studio Fun
• 27:43 Know Your Audience
• 28:41 Body Language in Portraits
• 30:51 Grounded Confidence on Camera
• 33:48 Interview Presence and Nuance
• 35:44 Building Real Confidence
• 38:02 Brand Photos for Opportunities
• 41:15 Do It Anyway
• 42:21 How to Book Jill
• 43:23 Final Thanks and Wrap

CONTACT JILL

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-o-meara-photography/

Website: https://www.jillomeara.ie/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillomearaphotography/ 

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In this Growth in Educational Leadership podcast episode, I interview Nick Woolley, a former secondary maths teacher and now full-time coach and coach trainer, co-director of the Inclusive Futures Academy. 

Nick describes discovering coaching on a leadership course, becoming an ICF-accredited coach, and returning to education after initially trying to leave the sector, now coaching students through senior leaders. 

He explains Inclusive Futures (a not-for-profit CIC focused on social mobility) and the Academy’s ICF-accredited, phased coach training model that can be tiered across school roles to build a coaching culture, including a recent project training Year 10/transition-year students to mentor younger peers. 

Key themes include coaching as effective communication, active listening, silence, curiosity over advice-giving, contracting (“what do you want from this conversation?”), and transparent leadership to gain buy-in during change.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:52 Nick’s Teaching to Coaching Journey
• 02:22 Building Inclusive Futures Academy
• 05:55 Coaching Skills for Schools
• 06:52 Power of Listening and Silence
• 11:36 Training Pathways and Offerings
• 17:01 Ripple Effect and Hidden Impact
• 20:48 Leading Change Through Buy-In
• 26:03 When Change Isn’t Optional
• 27:03 Invite Staff Input
• 27:26 Transparency Builds Trust
• 28:49 Director Caught Middle
• 30:50 Coaching for Leaders
• 32:09 Loneliness at the Top
• 33:11 Coaching Skills Teachers Have
• 35:25 Coaching Not Advice
• 37:42 Clarify What You Need
• 39:05 Beware Scripted Coaching
• 40:54 Empower Not Depend
• 41:46 Permission to Mentor
• 43:53 Contracting Conversations
• 47:48 Feeling Heard Exercise
• 49:39 Change Needs Context
• 51:04 How to Contact Nick
• 51:59 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

CONTACT DETAILS

Nick's website: https://inclusivefutures.co.uk/
Email Nick here:  [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickwoolleycoach/ 

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I interview Xiaoxiao Mulhall, current president of Network Kildare (part of Network Ireland) and founder of Sinoventures, about inclusive growth through global connections and building deeper member relationships. Xiaoxiao explains Network Kildare’s role as a women’s network supporting business owners, employees, and aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting guided networking, joint events with other branches, and plans to increase visibility via PR, LinkedIn, Instagram, and personal branding. 

Drawing on her experience helping Irish and European businesses enter the Chinese market, she discusses fear, research, cultural understanding, protecting brand and regulatory alignment, and taking calculated risks. She shares leadership insights: confidence follows action, authenticity in public speaking, preparation, delegation, and prioritisation, and emphasises that women and teachers are already leaders. 

She previews a Chinese New Year event and explains how to join via NetworkIreland.ie or [email protected].

Timestamps

• 00:48 What Network Kildare Does
• 01:41 Theme Inclusive Global Growth
• 04:05 Going International Without Fear
• 09:02 Confidence Follows Action
• 10:48 Why She Said Yes to Becoming VP
• 12:02 Personal Branding and LinkedIn
• 15:58 Time Management and Delegation
• 19:48 Recognising Everyday Leadership
• 22:09 Public Speaking and Authenticity
• 24:37 Interviews and Asking Why
• 28:44 Member Research and Inclusion Events
• 31:52 Chinese New Year Celebration
• 34:11 Closing Advice and How to Join

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In this episode of the Growth and Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview teacher and HSCL liaison officer Cathal Twaddle about his career milestones, psychology studies, and leadership learning shaped by sport. Cathal describes an early prison service role and how a manager linked team sport to resilience and teamwork, which became a lens for his teaching and leadership. 

He discusses “two roads” moments influenced by his parents’ limited educational opportunities and his father’s dementia, emphasising reflection and ambition. 

Cathal defines high performance as consistently doing simple, logical tasks, applying this to teaching and student voice. He explains inclusion as broader than additional needs, and outlines HSCL work supporting families, including homelessness, by building trust through visibility, clear communication, and demystifying attendance processes. 

He also shares interview strategies, networking, transferable teacher skills, and reverse-engineering leadership goals.

TIMESTAMPS

• 01:04 Prison Service Beginnings
• 02:47 Sport Mindset and Two Roads
• 06:34 From Coaching to Teaching
• 10:03 High Performance Basics
• 12:14 Student Voice Made Simple
• 15:29 Inclusion Beyond SEN
• 17:41 HSCL Role and Homelessness
• 20:09 Building Trust With Parents
• 23:52 Interview Lessons From Sport
• 27:24 Career Advice and Reflection
• 31:41 Networking and Transferable Skills
• 33:57 Reverse Engineering Leadership Goals
• 36:38 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

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In this week's episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I speak with Andrea Byrne, who shares her journey from a secondary school teacher to becoming an online fitness coach and gym owner. 

Andrea discusses the challenges and rewards of her career change, the importance of community in her gym, and the transition from using Instagram as a teacher to leveraging it for her fitness business.

Useful Links:

The Andrea Byrne Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jbCWAicOiJUYB0pAfKxug?si=d3a3c8c3e2d0403b

Anú Gym: https://www.instagram.com/_anufitness/

Andrea Byrne Online Coach: https://www.instagram.com/andreabyrnecoaching/

• 00:00 Welcome to the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
• 00:06 Reconnecting with Andrea Byrne
• 00:47 From Teacher to Fitness Coach
• 01:50 Reflecting on Teaching Career
• 02:42 The Decision to Leave Teaching
• 05:00 Starting a New Business
• 06:45 Building a Gym from Scratch
• 11:14 Creating a Community-Focused Gym
• 16:19 Balancing Fitness and Life
• 17:21 Seeking Business Advice and Support
• 19:04 Challenges of Transitioning from Teaching to Business
• 20:30 Balancing Teaching and Business Responsibilities
• 23:33 Building and Growing a Gym Business
• 26:46 Navigating Social Media and Personal Branding
• 30:31 Community and Client Relationships
• 32:32 Promoting the Gym and Future Plans
• 35:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I welcome Sean McWeeny, a math educator and juggling enthusiast. 

Sean shares his innovative approach to making math enjoyable and accessible through his unique workshops that combine juggling and quadratic equations. 

He discusses the importance of embracing mistakes, developing a growth mindset, and fostering intrinsic motivation in both students and teachers. 

Sean also delves into the significance of empathy and compassion in education and coaching, and offers insights into effective leadership strategies in schools.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:16 Introducing Sean McWeeny: Passion for Maths and Juggling
• 01:23 Revolutionising Maths Education Through Juggling
• 02:21 Encouraging Mistakes and Redefining Success
• 04:13 Finding Joy and Engagement in Learning
• 08:38 The Importance of Skills Over Knowledge
• 23:03 The Role of Compassion and Empathy in Education
• 24:10 The Importance of Compassion and Empathy
• 24:50 Heart-Centred Leadership
• 25:19 Embracing Mistakes in Teaching
• 25:55 The Influence of Jerry Duffy
• 26:36 Effective Communication with Students
• 27:36 Praise in Public, Reprimand in Private
• 28:34 Soft Skills in Leadership
• 30:45 The Chimp Paradox and Leadership
• 31:56 Lessons from Pat McCormick
• 34:47 Coaching Mindset in Teaching
• 36:06 Motivating Through Fun vs. Fear
• 40:58 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
• 43:15 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Follow Seán on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mrmathweeney/

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