My cousin is one talented lady! Everything was woodland themed- mushrooms made from marshmallows and chocolate, hedgehogs, toadstools, “wild berries” and much much more. She’d make a great infant teacher 🙌🏻

Just spent the last 7 hours “proof reading” my thesis 🫣. I may have to delegate its submission to my husband at this stage.

A really wholesome listen on conceptualising and approaching assessment in the primary classroom. open.spotify.com/episode/64vB...

Looking forward to supporting and learning from my colleagues tomorrow at the UNconference. Best of luck to all involved and looking forward to seeing you online tomorrow. It’s great to see the fantastic ongoing work from DCU’s postgraduate research community.

So looking forward to this 👏💡🌊 Join us from 7-8pm on Wednesday evening. ✅ beautiful texts ✅ engaging activities 📖✍️🗣️ ✅ suited to primary teachers of all ages & stages ✅playback recording available to all who register 🎥

Speaking aloud to my dog (who is thoroughly enjoying me working from home at the moment), I said: “I’m going to put on my eyebrows and go get an iced mocha”. Lola does not care for my plans, once she can continue to 😴

I want to buy all of the plants and planters and turn my garden into a ✨garden✨ Currently turning old paint cans into planters because my budget will not cooperate with my ideas!

In other news, tell me you’re in your 30s without telling me: We just purchased a Shark cordless hoover and oh my…the results 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 my bank holiday has never been so exciting 👀😂

I’m noticing a consistent pattern in the “good days” of my data analysis writing- the productivity miraculously improves with an iced mocha to hand and a purple snack. 🍫

Our new school building looking fabulous 🤩 the comments section, however, is hugely disappointing! Best of luck to all in LEETNS with the grand opening after the break. A truly great school community! www.facebook.com/share/v/16Pb...

Find someone who looks at you like Lola looks at her iced woofin. Happy 4th birthday to our lovable ball of fluff 🖤

A wonderful online event, filled with such authenticity and impactful research in the primary school classroom! Well done to all involved 👏🏻

Nothing unites the DCU teacher fellows more than the news of a new cafe opening where Milo’s used to be. Stand by for a full report. @emmajf.bsky.social I hope you’re ready for tomorrows deep dive (ie ordering the entire menu for research purposes)

Tea and notebook at the ready 🙌🏻 📚

Really looking forward to this tonight 🤩📚

📢New exhibition at Cregan Library!📢 Celebrating Irish Traveller Ethnicity Day, featuring work by children in the Travelling Community, a book display of childrens books available at DCU Library, and academic research for your perusal. Reading list: bit.ly/4id4cIe @dublincityuni.bsky.social

(Un)necessary journey #1 ☔️. On the plus side for Lola, it’s like taking a walk through a stick library 🪵 #StormÉowyn

Rebecca here 👋 a primary school teacher and current teacher fellow in DCU. With this #edchatie topic, I think diversity in teaching needs to be considered. Diversity in Ireland isn’t new. However, our teachers are a largely homogeneous group. How can we do more to encourage more diversity in ITE?

The ‘2025-itis’ hit hard today! I bought a weekly planner, spent the day weeding and gardening, and want to plant a tonne of seeds for a summer garden. Life in your thirties is very exciting.

A lovely opportunity to speak with Jane and Hugh, the hosts of the ‘That’ll Teach You’ podcast, about my experience as a placement tutor. open.spotify.com/episode/7omJ...

#edchatie returns on Monday evening, 8.30-9.30pm, with @humphreyjones.bsky.social hosting a discussion for Irish educators on: 'How can Ireland address its teacher recruitment and retention crisis?' Pass the word!

Beautiful day strolling around Connemara today! 🌿⛰️

Started 2025 with a bang/defrosted the freezer. Life in your 30s is very glamorous and exciting.

‘Say Nothing’ exceeds all expectations — an engrossing, tense account of the Troubles in Northern Ireland; finely acted, gripping and harrowing from the get-go!

A welcomed slow start today (…after walkies of course).

@emmajf.bsky.social a need?

Academic Christmas

Just finished draft 1(00) of my literature review. Questioning my ability to write (or speak) a coherent sentence. *Inhales*, it’s tiiiiiiiiime 🎄

The acknowledgment section of my dissertation: -fruit scone with jam -the forest app -a daily americano

I have written more this morning in my Literature Review than I have all week because I hand wrote the ideas that were circling in my head.

“This year, Christmas is not about traditions that strain against her needs or expectations imposed by others. It is about creating the best version of an ordinary day.” open.substack.com/pub/ciararei...

Personally have gotten lots out of PD over the past number of years - in many guises. There are some outstanding contributors to the Irish Ed PD scene 👏 #edchatie

Second #Edchatie meeting this evening start in ONE HOUR! 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Organise your mug of tea / glass of wine / dinner and be ready to flex your typing fingers on the topic: 'Professional development for teachers in Ireland: opportunities and problems?'

We also need to give due attention to the prevailing conditions in classrooms. Circumstances now are markedly different from the time the 1999 curriculum was introduced🔽 /6

A card that doubles as a hat/crown. What a time to be alive 🎉

Sitting down with a head-sized coffee and a warm scone, hoping to feel inspired to write!

Teachers who are interested in applying for one of the 5 DCU Institute of Education Teacher Fellow roles, have a look at what 2 of our former Teacher Fellows had to say about the experience. may youtube.com/watch?v=wRfO...

Another great episode hearing about Global Citizenship Education from student teacher’s perspective. open.spotify.com/episode/0cDZ...

Two beautiful decorations hanging together on my tree, thanks to the ever so generous Ger French from the past two years 🫶 a gorgeous staff meal this evening too!

A favourite of mine at this time of year. 🫶 A gorgeous book, that takes a totally different turn to what you’d expect from a Christmas book. A story centred around looking after our planet and making the world a better place for our futures. 🌎

This year our #Christmas #card was created by children's book illustrator and artist Margaret Anne Suggs. 🦉🌖 The #illustration is inspired by the owl that features in the mosaic of the Main Hall of the @nlireland.bsky.social. www.nli.ie/news-stories...

Spotify wrapped, WHO? 10/10 content from my coffee soul -sister. Also there were further dark moments when we said we’d give up buying coffee after September…what? Who said that? 🤔

Lots of interesting topics to unpick over the coming weeks! #edchatie

The most gorgeous trip to the Belfast Christmas markets today in ‘norn iron’ ❄️

In and out of Liffey Valley by 11.30 am on a Saturday in December is both an achievement and utter madness.

Patrick Kielty is such a great host! So genuine and sweet with the kids. The children are such dotes on this show every year 🤩 #latelatetoyshow

A really interesting listen on the challenges and opportunities in relation to teacher diversity in Ireland. open.spotify.com/episode/3Ccu...

“They’re still warm, I hope that’s okay”…the theme tune to breakfast while on the road to school placement visits. 🥐

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Great to see #edchatie back in pastures new 👏🏻 I’d like to see some form of ‘Dublin living wage’ implemented to allow more NQTs (and QTs, let’s be honest) to afford the cost of living in Dublin. While not solely an education issue, it would certainly help the teacher shortage in Dublin.