In this week's episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I delve into strategies for standing out from other job candidates. The episode emphasises the importance of teachers sharing their voices through the podcast to support and learn from each other. 

Key topics discussed include articulating your 'why,' demonstrating strategic thinking, showcasing emotional intelligence, telling impactful stories, communicating confidence and presence, understanding the reality of the role, and positioning yourself as a continuous learner. 

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Welcome to the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
• 00:20 The Importance of Sharing Teacher Voices
• 02:10 Introduction to Job Seeking Skills
• 04:29 Lead with Your Why
• 06:16 Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
• 07:03 Showcase Emotional Intelligence
• 08:21 Use Impactful Storytelling
• 09:33 Communicate Confidence and Presence
• 11:58 Understand the Reality of the Role
• 13:35 Position Yourself as a Continuous Learner
• 14:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

FREE COACHING CHECKLIST

Download the career checklist here:  https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/page/277116 

In this special guest episode, I chat with Sarah Quirke, also known as Literacy Lady on Instagram. Sarah, who recently completed her master's in literacy education, shares her journey, including her plans to conduct webinars on literacy topics such as World Book Day and Reflective Reading. 

We discuss the challenges and strategies for promoting reading for pleasure in the digital age, tips for creating engaging presentations, and the importance of continuous professional development for teachers. 

Sarah also provides insights into her experiences as a special education teacher as a shared SET and offers advice for new teachers and those looking to enhance their teaching careers.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Welcome and Introduction
• 00:40 Sarah's Career Journey and Webinars
• 01:57 Promoting Reading for Pleasure
• 05:04 Creating Engaging Presentations
• 08:20 Impactful CPD and Leadership
• 10:04 Ambition and Professional Growth
• 14:47 Early Teaching Experiences
• 16:04 Advice for New Teachers
• 19:08 Communication and Social Media
• 23:15 Inspiration and Final Thoughts

SARAH'S UPCOMING WEBINARS

World Book Ideas: Feb 25th: https://www.lec.ie/courses-limerick-education-centre/primary-courses/2542-world-book-day-ideas-and-practices.html

Reflective Reading: March 6th: https://www.lec.ie/courses-limerick-education-centre/primary-courses/2561-becoming-a-reflective-reader.html

This episode delves into common concerns about storytelling during interviews and the top thing teachers worry about when it comes to interviews - if the story fits into domain A or B. 

I emphasise the importance of having a flexible mindset and using effective verbs to showcase competencies. I also highlight using the STAR technique and Venn diagrams to illustrate multifaceted skills.  Worry no more! 

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Update
• 01:14 Balancing Professional and Personal Life
• 01:46 Understanding Storytelling in Interviews
• 04:15 The Importance of Competency and Impact
• 05:57 Effective Storytelling Techniques
• 11:21 Final Tips

FREE RESOURCE

Secret Career Stories: https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/ 

THE TEACHER PROMOTION CLUB

Join for just €37/m! https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/page/593605 

THE CONFIDENT CAREER LEADER PROGRAMME

Watch this and sign up: https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/page/589738 

In episode 26 of the Growth in Leadership Podcast, the main focus of the episode is a deep dive into the power of the question 'What did you make that mean?' 

This question helps to uncover personal interpretations, reveal limiting beliefs, encourage emotional awareness, create space for reframing, and break the cycle of automatic thinking. 

I share my own story of job hunting (putting in great effort - to no avail and what I made that mean at the time) and some of the stories from my clients and their personal thoughts in interviews. This key question is of huge importance for self-awareness and reflective practice, particularly during job season, to develop leadership skills and a growth mindset.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:19 Personal Updates and Networking
• 02:26 The Confident Career Leader Programme Insights
• 04:28 My Personal Journey on Job Applications and Interview Failures
• 06:23 The Power of Interpretation: What Did You Make That Mean?
• 08:42 Reframing Negative Thoughts
• 10:32 Practical Examples of Reframing
• 14:14 Conclusion and Reflective Practice

The Confident Career Leader Programme: 

This programme is designed for those appl

Join The KIDS Newsletter here: https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/page/382800

This episode of The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast is a real gift for you and it's ideal for your reflective practice as you apply for leadership roles! Yes, I'm talking about job applications! 🎉

• In this episode, I emphasise the importance of maintaining a relaxed attitude, attention to detail, and creating applications that stand out. 
• It also highlights the significance of timely submissions and the benefits of personalised feedback

A LITTLE ABOUT MY SERVICES
The Confident Career Leader Programme is my intensive, high-support programme - tailored to the needs of aspiring DPs and Principals. Watch the video above for more information.

The Teachers Promotion Club combines brilliant online support with 1-1 access to me to foster your professional growth. At just €37 per month - The Teacher Promotion Club is designed to convert what you know into a new AP role and variety in your career!

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Welcome to Episode 25
• 00:40 Listener Appreciation and Feedback
• 01:23 Impact of the Recent Storm
• 02:13 Introduction to Job Application Forms
• 02:50 Common Mistakes in Job Applications
• 06:46 Attention to Detail in Applications
• 07:31 Creating Standout Applications
• 09:11 Importance of Timely Submission
• 11:04 Continuous Professional Development
• 12:12 Overcoming Job Application Anxiety
• 13:08 Belief in the Right Answer
• 14:09 Final Tips and Programs
• 21:11 Conclusion and Next Steps

In episode 24 of the Growth in Education Leadership Podcast, I welcome Mark O'Dea, an engineering teacher from County Clare, to discuss his teaching career and leadership roles. 

Mark, who has been teaching since 2007, shares his journey from student to teacher in the same school and highlights the importance of building relationships with students both in and out of the classroom. He discusses his roles as an AP1 holder, year head, and his involvement in digital learning. 

Mark reflects on career accomplishments, including replacing his own engineering teacher and coaching successful football teams. He emphasises the value of connecting with students, creating a positive classroom environment, and leveraging AI and progressive teaching methods. The episode also touches on the critical roles of unions and subject associations in shaping educational experiences and future-proofing the workforce.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:38 Mark’s Teaching Journey
• 01:27 Career Highlights and Accomplishments
• 03:51 Building Relationships with Students
• 11:39 Coaching and Extracurricular Activities
• 16:09 Leadership and Refereeing Insights
• 28:07 Proactive Teamwork in Education
• 28:50 Challenges and Realities of Union Involvement
• 32:26 Importance of Union Membership
• 35:15 Senior Cycle Reform and Teacher Involvement
• 40:13 The Role of AI in Education
• 55:12 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information

USEFUL RESOURCES

• NCSE: https://ncse.ie/for-teachers
• TUI: Contact the TUI: https://www.tui.ie/contact-us.77.html
• ASTI: Contact the ASTI: https://www.asti.ie/contact-us/
• INTO: Contact the INTO: https://www.into.ie/

CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Mark on Twitter @A E D O K R A M or  
email [email protected]

In episode 23 of the Growth and Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Simon Lewis, principal of Carlow Educate Together and a seasoned blogger, to share his perspective on educational leadership. Simon discusses his journey from a computer scientist to an unplanned career in teaching, ultimately becoming a principal. He reflects on his experiences, including launching Ireland’s first education blog, founding a multi-denominational school, and the inception of his popular podcast 'If I Were the Minister for Education.' Simon also offers insightful advice for aspiring educators on job applications, interviews, and the importance of authenticity. Additionally, he highlights the transformation of education through technology and the value of sharing within the teaching community.

• 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
• 04:29 From Computer Science to Teaching
• 09:05 Founding a Multi-Denominational School
• 11:59 Leadership and Overcoming Rejection
• 17:37 Interview Tips and Advice
• 21:15 Leadership and Authority in Teaching
• 21:45 Tips for Teaching Job Applications
• 23:57 Personalizing Your Application
• 25:54 Interview Strategies and Authenticity
• 29:04 The Importance of Warmth in Teaching
• 34:50 Sharing Lesson Plans and Teacher Collaboration
• 38:40 The Evolution of Technology in Education
• 40:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the first episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast for 2025, I delve into detailed strategies for securing senior and middle leadership roles in education. You need to BACK YOURSELF and take control of what's within your control in your job search. 

I share insights from my personal experiences, offer practical tips such as practicing positive self-talk, staying determined, engaging in personal development, and focusing on impact rather than experience.

Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of understanding one's own journey and emotional triggers to better prepare for leadership roles.  I also emphasise the value of personal development through resources such as coach, counselling, NLP, sound therapy etc  to achieve career goals in 2025.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Welcome to the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
• 01:06 Inviting Teachers and Positive Messages
• 03:44 Five Tips to Back Yourself for 2025
• 04:28 Tip 1: Practice Positive Self-Talk
• 08:15 Tip 2: Be Determined and Committed
• 12:17 Tip 3: Personal Development Work
• 14:54 Tip 4: Focus on Impact and Reputation
• 16:58 Overcoming Rejection and Building Resilience
• 24:35 Tip 5: The Importance of Self-Awareness
• 28:25 Conclusion and Future Episodes

In this episode, I delve into Developing Leadership Capacity and what it looks like in schools in a practical sense. With the help of LAOS 2022, I highlight the human experiences of things like self-doubt in team teaching and finding your voice. 
In a coaching style, I ask thought-provoking questions designed to help teachers dig deeper and reflect on key topics.

FREE HYPNOSIS MEDITATION
I've helped lots of teachers simplify their thoughts in mock interview sessions. Now, this tool helps teachers prepare in just 8 minutes for leadership roles by building confidence and clarity in their strategic vision. https://orla-dempsey-coaching.simplerosites.com/meditation

Today I'm addressing the common concerns that educators have about the 'Managing the Organisation' Domain. 
I encounter lots of teachers who feel that they don't have experience in that area - my aim is to help teachers see that Managing The Organisation is more than 

• staffing
• managing budgets
• leading SSE etc. 

We talk about simple teacher-centred approaches for strategies for creating a positive school culture, managing resources, handling complex situations, and promoting professional responsibility.

FREE HYPNOSIS MEDITATION
I've helped lots of teachers simplify their thoughts in mock interview sessions. Now, this tool helps teachers prepare in just 8 minutes for leadership roles by building confidence and clarity in their strategic vision. https://orla-dempsey-coaching.simplerosites.com/meditation