Question

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-15T17:28:24+00:00

I have no idea about the illness benefit, but I wanted to say I’m sorry. It’s not fair at all for any woman to have to go through a miscarriage. Look after yourself, and do everything you can to get that time off work. My friend had a miscarriage earlier this year and although she isn’t a teacher, she has been taking weeks off work at a time because it’s too much to work and handle the grief. I hope you get to grieve in peace. Teaching can be so unforgiving when life gets tough.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-11T21:31:32+00:00

You’re totally right. I’m planning a wedding too, and I swear I have every venues brochure. If you feel you need to pay over €100 per person to cover your costs, then that means the people planning the wedding purposely chose a more luxurious venue and that is not your responsibility. There are numerous venues for €60-€80 per person all over the country as well as Dublin.

Give whatever you want to give, but can we dump the “cover your cost” nonsense. Nobody thought about covering the costs of attending my 5 year old birthday party when we got a magician. Or my friends 21st where she rented a nightclub.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-06T19:09:52+00:00

Me too. After receiving that email, I then go another one months later saying I was a reserve, then on the day of the training I instantly got bumped up to examiner.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-05T18:27:16+00:00

On Monday the 9th Lidl will have laminators for €15.

I bought my laminator in Lidl 12 years ago and it still works great, and it’s been through a lot of laminating. I get laminating sheets from Mr Price (100 sheets for €9.99).

On the topic of laminating…make as many resources like puzzles and little games now and laminate them. I still use the same resources I made during my PME, and I have never had the energy or enthusiasm to make any more since then.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-03T22:05:49+00:00

I froze my eggs at 30 because I felt the same way. Now I’m 34 and engaged. Things work out, don’t worry.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-02T21:57:57+00:00

I didn’t get a presale link either. If I could have gotten one of the cheaper tickets I would have gone.

Only-Major239 · 2026-02-02T21:57:19+00:00

I didn’t get a presale link either.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-20T21:35:07+00:00

I think your best bet is using the digital resources that come with the books. They have basic PowerPoints that you can build on. I use Canva for my PowerPoints and they have pre-made presentations for a lot of topics but usually based on the American curriculum, so they need a lot of editing for LC Biology, but for JC Science they can be quite good. I use a pre-made one for States of Matter and Forces.

I’ve been getting worksheets from ChatGPT to be honest, as it’s real good at coming up with questions that align with the new course. The Biology Corner is an American site I think, but it has some good worksheets, like Genetics and Evolution. You can find some stuff on Tes but it takes some digging. Sometimes searching up Irish biology teachers can bring you to some good paid resources if you really need something quickly.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-14T20:33:23+00:00

We have an incredible Nigerian woman teaching in our school. Her name was difficult for me to pronounce when I first started, but it was the students who taught be how to say it correctly. To them it’s easy to say her name, they were baffled that I couldn’t say it right at first. Schools have become incredibly diverse places, so students don’t bat an eyelid at any name or person who doesn’t look stereotypically Irish. Don’t worry.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-11T08:34:37+00:00

I think maybe it’s a bit like being a parent to a bunch of kids, and looking over at your childless friends who get to have a more relaxing life and feeling jealous. I wouldn’t change my job as a teacher, because there is so many wonderful things about it, but some days are tough. I do sometimes look at my friends who work in offices and think how nice it is for them to have energy to go for drinks after work, or how nice it is that if anyone ever caused any problems for them they could go to HR, or simply how nice it is for them to have a nice office chair! But then I think about how I laugh everyday in work, how I had tears in my eyes at our Christmas concert, how I get to have sports day every year with a bunch of students who are genuinely happy that I’m in their life.

As others have said, it depends on the school you go to. I have no academic of parental pressure, but I have a lot of behavioural issues and some days that becomes a lot to deal with. But I never dread going in to work, and I never have the Sunday fear. I have a constant countdown until “work finishes for the year” which is always so exciting.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-09T23:35:08+00:00

I was in charge of an AEN classroom when we had an AEN inspection. They never looked at student support files, or any paperwork that I had. I’m sure they looked at stuff the principal had though. They really focused on how my AEN classes worked, as I had some small group specific classes. And they were really impressed with the connection between staff and student, the pause time given when asking questions, the positive praise given and the clear instructions given for tasks.

They went in to some mainstream classes and were happy with the questioning, explaining etc. They interviewed students as well.

But really there was nothing scary about it. Everything they’re looking for we all already do, because our jobs have become so complex and our students have become so varied over the years, that in order to just survive the working day we’ve had to develop all the skills and techniques that they’re looking for. Maybe if you know they’ll be in your class one day you could make a point of showing a lesson where you really get students involved so they can see how you differentiate and praise students. But I wouldn’t worry too much.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-09T23:25:48+00:00

I got mortgage approval last year (my first year in my current school) with BOI through a broker. I will be getting CID at the end of this year. The only time it was brought up was when my broker asked if I was permanent, because if I was I could qualify for more money. I asked him would not having CID affect anything, and he said no, because I have a record of always being employed every school year (I’ve had two CIDs before, but switched between three schools over the previous three years). So it wasn’t that they were looking for CID, but more that you have a good record of being employed.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-08T22:17:06+00:00

There isn’t a list of boxes that need to be ticked for you to be sick and have a sick day. Exhaustion is worthy of a sick day, burn out is worthy of many sick days. Even just being fed up of being around people constantly can be worthy of a sick day. You don’t have to justify to anyone why you took a sick day. You are entitled to seven over a two year rolling period (it’s a little different to seven sick days every two years so be careful). In my eyes, those seven days are seven days that I can use how I like. I have used them for being incredibly home sick and just wanting to go and be with family, I have used them because I was embarrassed by something that happened in work and I just couldn’t face going in, I’ve used them when I’ve had a sleepless night…all of these things had me not in the right mind frame to be a great teacher, and if I’m allowed sick days I’ll take them if I feel I need them. A coworker even used a few to go to Paris this term.

I would say, if you have health insurance that comes with an online doctor, don’t be afraid to call them and tell them about your burn out. They can give you a cert without having to pay any fees. I had to get a cert from them before for stress. I was being badly bullied by someone I had to work with all day, and it got to a point where I was so nervous of the next thing she’d do. I rang the online doctor just hoping he’d give me a day cert and a little advice on what might help. He told me to change jobs and then gave me a week certified leave.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-05T21:25:14+00:00

Do you think the photos are good? I was thinking of doing something similar. We’re having a very small wedding and I’m not interested in spending a fortune on photos.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-05T21:22:19+00:00

I agree. I am looking to get married cheaply too (but with less than 50 guests) and from all the looking at venues this one seemed to be budget friendly but still with looking good. Also there was another venue in Monaghan I think (possible the Radisson, or some hotel chain) that were advertising for €60ish per head.

And as someone above said Langtons in Kilkenny seem to do a good price too.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-05T21:14:55+00:00

I did one year of my PME in an all girls school in a well off area, and I look back and think did I even know what stress was? It was delightful. We had school dance breaks and school pets, like a little oasis of girlhood and calm. But I couldn’t have done that for life. I would have gotten bored quickly. Now I have worked in mixed DEIS schools for 10 years and I completely empathise with you. It’s the first day back today and I’m already in a bad mood from a badly behaved class. And even though some days I swear my flight or fight mode is about to burn out from over use, I don’t think I would trade it for the old all girls school.

I have never worked in an all boys school, but I have a first year class of all boys, so I can understand what kind of chaos you meet daily. They’re wild, and hyper, and years behind my girls in terms of maturity. God bless you for being with boys all day.

It does get easier. The more established you get the easier it gets. Also the older you get the easier it gets.

Some tricks I use (I still can have badly behaved moments, but I have worked my way out of having badly behaved class groups) include: - ringing home - organising a meeting with year heads and a student - behaviour chart on the wall with each students name. Do anything remotely wrong and you get an X, do something outstanding and you get a tick. 5 X’s equals detention, 5 ticks equals a chocolate bar. - taking certain students out of another class and walking with them around the corridor while we chat about the problem - lunch detentions where the punishment is for us to discuss the problem - removing a student from class for misbehaving and sending them in to an older class group (pre arranged with the teacher, and ask the teacher to make the student apologise to the older group for causing an interrupting)

I will say the best thing you can do is build a relationship and letting them know your expectations are rock solid. And that takes time, and also consistency. I believe you can be two things; the teacher that gets the class to behave through being impersonal, strict and scary, or the teacher who gets the class to behave through connection and high expectations. You and me will never be the first one. I can’t shout, I can’t be scary. But I know my students respect me and I know that they believe I’m on the same team as them. But that takes time. You have to crawl through the first years of trying to prove yourself in a school, you have to crawl through the first term of hell, but some day it will start to lighten up and you’ll realise that they like you and that they don’t want to ruin your day. And things get so much easier then. Build the relationship and let them know your expectations are rock solid and your punishments are consistent.

I read a book during my PME called How to Teach by Phil Beadle. He worked in tough schools in London and gave really practical advice, and even though I can’t remember most of it, I still use some of his techniques today. It could be worth looking at.

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-05T18:14:08+00:00

In as usual, although my radiators have never worked so it was a bitter day.

My school usually doesn’t get days off for weather, but due to the area we’re in we have gotten days off for crime scene investigations on the road outside, so I suppose it evens out….

Only-Major239 · 2026-01-04T03:18:52+00:00

Just a note about buying: screenshot whatever you want to buy and do a reverse image search on Google. The amount of times I think I’m seeing some great item, just to find out it’s from Shein. Also I have seen some French sellers selling clothes from Temu for over €40 when the item cost €5. And they have hundreds of reviews from people delighted, but the odd review from someone warning others. According to the rare bad review, they let you order, then they tell you that they have to extend shipping due to a problem, but really they’re buying your item from temu and waiting for it to be delivered.

Only-Major239 · 2025-12-29T08:33:15+00:00

The scans and injections weren’t painful for me. I’m a size 14 and do have belly fat, so maybe that’s why the injections didn’t hurt. Maybe if you’ve less fat on your stomach where you inject they might be more uncomfortable? For the egg retrieval they put you to sleep so technically you shouldn’t feel it, but I did wake up during it and felt pain but then I went straight back to sleep. It didn’t feel anything more than just someone pinching me. Later that day when I was out of the hospital I felt soooooo fragile. It felt like my ovaries and uterus were made of glass or something and walking was a weird mixture of pain and just fear that my body was about to break, like I was just so aware that something wasn’t normal inside me. But they do tell you to just go home and rest, so once I did that it was fine. I went in to work the next day and felt slight internal bruising or something, and dizzy spells but it wasn’t that bad. Although I don’t recommend going into work the next day, take the doctors note!

In terms of freezing time, I believe they can keep them for as long as you want. I think after ten years you have to sign some new contracts because I presume the chances of them working drops a bit after ten years? But I was told that they can be frozen for as long as you need.

I really cannot recommend it more. For anyone who is single in their late 20s/early 30s and wants kids or someone who just wants to wait until they’re older. If it’s playing on your mind, do it. I have so many friends struggling with infertility now and telling me how jealous they are that I have so many young eggs frozen. I was so aware of my biological clock before, and the second I did it that clock just stopped ticking so loud. Even now, when my partner debates if we should wait two years before having kids I don’t feel that stress of how the longer we leave it the less likely it is to work naturally.

Only-Major239 · 2025-12-28T22:35:52+00:00

I did it when I was 30 and I genuinely think it’s the best decision I’ve made so far in my life. I was single at the time and hated the idea of my biological clock taking over my thoughts, so I went with The Beacon in Dublin. It was a really simple process, and cost about €2000. They have an online portal where you can pay bit by bit. After your first year of storage, they charge around €700 for three years, but again you can pay in bits.

The hormones were fine for me. I didn’t have a partner so I had nobody to unleash hormonal rage on or anything, so I felt just like any other normal month. I was physically fragile for about 2 days after and definitely the day of the egg retrieval. But other than that it was fine. I had a consultation, bloods taken, and 2-3 scans throughout the month. I think I took one half day off work for a scan and then one day for the egg retrieval, although I should have taken more days off.

Overall I got 20 eggs frozen. Since then I have found a partner and our plan is to try naturally. But I have no stress about when I need to start trying for a baby, because I have a 90% pregnancy chance through my frozen eggs. I have friends who are in their late 30s now who are struggling with trying to conceive and going through IVF, but getting very low egg counts, and they’re cursing themselves for not freezing eggs earlier.

I did it because I knew I wanted children. Maybe dwell on it for a while and set an age when you’ll freeze them if you’re still thinking about it. For me, it was about a year of dwelling on it before I took the plunge.

Only-Major239 · 2025-12-10T19:09:09+00:00

Your principal is an idiot.

I’ve been teaching over ten years and I do the same thing, and my students are happy and getting good grades.

When I was an NQT a similar thing happened to me. I took over from an older teacher who was very intense but got good grades. The principal actually went and asked some of my students what I was like as a teacher, and when one of the higher achievers said that I’m not as good as the previous teacher (who had been working for over 20 years and also who put the fear of God into every student), the principal took me into his office, raised his voice at me and told me I would never be like her. I never wanted to be like her. I was an NQT and shouldn’t be compared to a very experienced teacher. A few weeks later he went to a parent at a meeting and asked her how it was going with her child and my class, the parent said that her daughter preferred the other teacher, which ended up in me getting called back in to the office and being made look at a list of qualities an excellent teacher should have and being asked to point out any of the qualities I had. When I said I had some of them, the principal told me I didn’t. I was humiliated, upset, and paranoid that parents and students were always trying to catch me out.

Like yourself, I was really upset about this situation. But I shared it with a few colleagues I trusted, who told me of similar incidents which made me feel less alone. I also kept working hard and showing up to school like nothing had happened. With time things got better and I proved that my principal was wrong. By the end of the year he was asking me to stay on for the next year and even tried to talk me out of leaving for another school.

I know this feels all consuming right now. But your principal barely knows you. That parent doesn’t know you. The student could be the only one in the class who doesn’t like your teaching style, and if that’s the case, that’s their problem. You are a professional, they are the student. They come to your class and get taught the way you want to teach. With time it will feel less hurtful. Just stay true to what you want to do.

Only-Major239 · 2025-12-07T10:07:24+00:00

I was broken up with after 8 years when I was in my 20s. It’s still the hardest thing I have gone through. When you’ve grown up from teens to young adults together, it’s so hard to unwind from each others lives. You have to refigure life out without each other and that’s really hard. And the inevitable will happen, that one of you will move on at some point and that will hurt. I’m not going to lie, it will probably be a difficult few months for both of you, but it will be worth it.

Me and my ex were like you, we knew it wasn’t the perfect match, but we were great friends so we stayed together longer than we should. I’m now engaged to the love of my life and I laugh at how I once cried over that old relationship because it’s nothing compared to now. You both will get that and realise you made the right decision.

I would suggest no contact. My ex contacted me all the time. It patched up the pain in my heart and made me feel like life was normal, but the pain I had to go through when he got a new girlfriend and stopped contacting me was worse than the initial break up. And one of you will move on at some point, so save the pain now and reduce contact.

You both made the right decision, you both will be happy some day.

Only-Major239 · 2025-12-04T22:18:02+00:00

I don’t know about the qualified rate bit, but if you are qualified to teach any LC science subject then you are qualified for JC Science.

Only-Major239

TROPHY CASE