Rachel O’Brien

The value I could bring to your school includes a strong skill set that I have developed through my academic, work and personal experiences. I am well versed in time management and organisational skills while having excellent communication skills. I have contributed significantly to student’s experiences and academic achievements through my dedication to teaching, my ability to build positive student-teacher relationships and my consideration when planning lessons to cater to all my student’s needs.

I studied Science Education, a 4-year course in University College Cork, Ireland from which I graduated in 2021. Through this programme and working as a science teacher in various schools, I became confident in my abilities to foster students love for science through demonstrations and lab practical’s, as well as through my pedagogical approaches in the classroom. Throughout this course, I learned about not only the various principles behind education but also the type of teacher I want to be - it is not simply what we teach but how we teach it that matters. I believe in a student-centred approach to the curriculum, allowing for the students to be active creators of their own knowledge through open dialogue, higher-order questioning and discussions. Scientists can think for themselves and so my students think like scientists.

I am passionate about teaching and eager to learn alongside my students. I have developed strategies to ensure proficient literacy and numeracy skills, classroom management, motivation and ensure differentiation is considered when planning my lessons. I put time and effort into each lesson plan, thoroughly reflect after each lesson and frequently attend CPD courses.