r/IrishTeachers

I have applied for so many jobs this summer and heard back from barely any. I have had interviews for a couple that I applied for but still haven’t been able to get a job. I am post primary maths NQT and I have been told over the past while that I would have no problem getting a job in maths, but this summer has proven the opposite and it has been a really disheartening process, I am just wondering is there much chance of getting a job once schools go back after the summer or is it really just summer when you have to chance to secure something for the coming year?

Basically what the title says. I’m trying to secure a post for the upcoming academic year and given how late into the summer it is, just wondering what the chances are or if there’s another route I should go? Thanks!

Hey everyone, I am currently heading into my 3rd year of college to hopefully become a Secondary School teacher. I want to teach English and Music as my subjects.

My main issue right now is I want alot of tattoos. I know different schools have different policies but I was just looking for anyone's advice and experiences.

I want to have full sleeve tattoos on both arms. Now in saying this my arms will always be fully covered during work hours, I have to regardless as I have some scars on my arms (nothing crazy but definitely there is you look close) and dont want students to see them.

I was just wondering how possible this is and how I should go about it, especially if say a student spotted me outside of school hours and it got around to other students.

Its obviously a big worry of mine, I would honestly like change professions than not get the tattoos esp bc I want to cover the arm with the scars.

Thank you so much in advance ☺️ 💓

I hope i put this in the right sub, please let me know if I need to remove it!

I worked as a sub in a school in 2023 and have route 3, with conditions registration still valid until the mid October. This year I completed a PGCE in the north and due to a few administrative errors, some on my part, some on my university's (it doesn't really matter), I was only able to send my application off last week. Thankfully vetting is already complete but I still don't anticipate being registered with route 2 at the start of the school year.

I was offered a RPT contract over the summer with the same school as before, but they're letting me know that I can't get the RPT contract until I've got a teaching council number with route 2 sorted out.

Would it be possible to work as a route 3 "sub" at the start of the year, until the Route 2 number is finalised, and then get the RPT contract afterwards when it comes through? Or is that out if the question?

Go raibh míle for any help

Does anyone else who is not religious struggle at times with being in a religious school? I was raised Catholic but am very much not that anymore. I work in a Catholic school under Ceist patronage. I struggle with how at times it is shoved down our throats. Everything seems to revolve around mass and there’s a huge emphasis on religion as a subject as it is prioritised over the needs of students,i.e. at senior cycle resource is not allowed to take place during a religion class. It is not an exam subject. The students in my school have no choice as to whether they study it or not. Parents have complained and have been told that they can go somewhere else if they don’t like it. It’s not that easy for a teacher. I would love to teach in a non-denominational school but it took me so long to get a job that I would have bitten your hand off for any job I could get. It’s not like we can be picky about where we work. Is there any other workplace in which you have to go along with religious beliefs so that you don’t cause a fuss?

Just qualified post primary, have been watching the posts constantly for the past two weeks. Theres not one job going in my subject so far in my county. I applied to many back in March-May but all seemed to have internal candidates. I am becoming the main breadwinner and was banking on getting a job.

Any idea when the actual surge happens? I am so terrified I won't find a job and have to go back to retail for a year, I feel like I will lose momentum and it will also put pressure on my Droichead window.

Thank you.

Hi all,

I'm currently waiting to hear back from the industrial relations officer from my union but just wanted to see if anyone has faced something similar and can tell me how it played out...

I'm due to return to my position after being on leave for the 2025/26 school year after the birth of my baby. Before I left, I had 19 hours of my subject specialism, 2 other non exam subject hours and was a tutor. I received both confirmation of my CID and my timetable for the coming year yesterday and was pretty shocked to discover my hours in my subject specialism have been reduced to 9. I also got none of my previous class groups back, have no exam years and now have 12 hours of non exam subjects (SPHE, Transition modules, CSPE, ect.,).

I am also aware that 4 new teachers with my subject specialism have been added to staff since I went on maternity leave... Including one who covered some of my mat leave...

I realise some people returning to work with a small child at home might appreciate the reduction in marking and intensity that comes with this kind of timetable but I'm incredibly unhappy with it and the situation. I'm certain had I not taken maternity leave, my timetable would be very different. Has anyone else found themselves in a similar position? If so, how did it play out for you? Thanks for taking the time to read.

Hi all,
I’ve been thinking for a while about moving away from teaching. I’m 23F and, honestly, I love the actual teaching side of things — working with students, helping them, planning lessons, etc. It’s more the poor management, hierarchy, politics and whole interview/job situation that has really started to put me off the profession.

After not getting my job back last year, I’ve applied for a few different teaching positions this year. I feel like I’ve interviewed well but haven’t received any offers, and at this stage I’m starting to wonder if it’s a sign that I should move on rather than keep putting myself through it.

I’ve always liked the idea of becoming a lecturer, but I don’t really want to commit to a Masters/postgrad at the moment. I also don’t want to go back to college to retrain for another career just yet, mainly because of the cost. I know corporate training is an option but I haven’t found any current jobs online that I’d be interested in, in that regard.

For anyone who has left teaching, what careers did you move into? Were there any jobs/sectors that you found particularly suited your teaching skills and degree?

Also any FinTech jobs that people would recommend that need little training would be really helpful!

I’d really appreciate hearing about people’s experiences and any recommendations for careers I could look into without needing to go back to college straight away!

So this September I’ll be starting my PME Year 1 school placement. I am excited to get started but also a bit nervous at the same time.

My university hasn’t really yet told us what is expected of us as new PME students. All they have told us is that we will likely observe for the first few weeks and then start teaching by around mid September if not later. They seemingly want us to be aware that we won’t really know fully what we are doing for the first few days.

My friend who is a PME Year 2 student has been preparing their UOL’s ahead of their placement but I’m not even really sure how to go about developing one of those. I’m assuming we will be shown this in college?

So what else can I do to prepare for placement? I’ve started to read up on the curriculum of the subjects I’ll be teaching but what else can I do? We also have induction at the school in just under two weeks time.

Hi everyone.

This will be a bit long winded and I will try to keep this generalised for the sake of privacy, but I need someplace to vent. I am a secondary school teacher who will be entering their third year out. Last year I was lucky to get a parental leave in a school until December. Then I got called back into the same school to teach my other subject for a last minute sick leave. While the school was a bit relaxed in its rules, I loved the staff. Everyone was so supportive and welcoming from day one. The staff room was a large circle where everyone could talk. I will add that there was on site accommodation as it was boarding. This area was quite lacking and I did struggle- there wasn't a functioning kitchen and I got a severe chest infection due to lack of heating. However, overall, a good experience. Overall, a great atmosphere.

I then got a sick leave in another school in a completely different county. I was ready to go in and teach, face it all head-on. I got accommodation with a working oven (a major plus). However, the school environment made me a bit apprehensive. Students were okay- I got given seniors who did not put in any effort yet wanted to try HL. I had the same year group for SPHE who did not comply- even at one stage a group of students made an offensive joke about r*pe that was not dealt with properly with the year head.

Overall, since coming into the school with not that much left in the school year, I knew I wouldn't be everyone's cups of tea, but the majority of class groups were good. I just had some issues with staff. It was more apparent that groups were forming- very different vibe in the staff room. Individual groups sat together at lunch, etc. I've been in a school in my PME with a similar vibe and it was awful.

So, long story short- reinterviewing was approaching. A lot of staff had to reinterview as it was their first year in the school. I didn't think it would concern me, but a new job for my subjects came up- I saw this as a sign. So, a bit of a culture about interviews crept in. A lot of whispering and talk about what was asked, etc. I find interviews tough going anyways, but I gave it a go.

This is where it goes a bit south.

Everyone bar me got their jobs back. And I mean everyone. So I had to sit through lunches in the staffroom where everyone was so glad to have a job when I was on the verge of tears. I found out with two weeks to go on the job. I tried my best to teach away, but it was a major shock to my confidence. The way some staff treated me was insane- some of them barely looked at me and acted like I had the plague. It was just awkward. So, I said my goodbyes, thinking that was it. It was sad to say goodbye to a majority of students. I had some classes that I adored. And some of the staff were great- especially the subject teams.

So, back at home for the summer job hunting. I really felt it this year as I got not that many interviews when I was sending my application everywhere. The interviews I had secured were awful- you could tell the position was filled already with the way they acted.

Next thing I know, the principal from the last school contacts me about a job for the upcoming year. Immediately, alarm bells were going off in my head, especially after the way I was treated when I didn't get the job. I had 24 hours to decide- during this time I had another interview that did not go successful.

So, feeling a bit bereft, wanting to go back doing what I love, I took the job offer, thinking of the few staff who were really nice and just having that overall sense of familiarity. I will also be honest, I did face some scrutiny from family to take the job. So, here I am.

I feel bad about complaining when I know the job hunt hasn't been great for many. I am feeling 50/50 about going back. It's mainly concerned about senior students who I most likely will be teaching again (small school and same contract) and some of the staff. Am I overreacting? I just don't want to start the new school year with dread.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading.

I’m looking for some advice.
I am an English teacher. This year I am taking on the role of Special Education Teacher in a fee paying PP school. I have my own classroom and the set up seems fantastic. I meet with the SEN team next week to discuss SSP, Timetable etc. The needs seem to range from SFL for Dyslexia to Autism and ADHD. Students are mainstream classes and then provided additional help.

I’m looking for advice. I don’t have an SEN qualification but I do have experience with L2LP and differentiation in the classroom. Is there a good way to prepare? Resources?
I’m decorating my room with sensory decor and equipment as well as books, games etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! 🩷

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

Hi all,

I got a call today saying I’ll be in mixed 4th and 5th class for the year. I’ve previously taught in moderate special classes and SET in a junior school so this will be my first time in mainstream since college placement. I’m so nervous as it’s 2 curricula and the senior end which I’m not the most familiar with.

I have my class list (27 children), but won’t get my book lists etc until the Croke park day on Monday and then kids are back Tuesday.. I’m worried it won’t be enough time to set up my classroom.

Any advice for the first day (or few days), the layout, setting up, and just general advice for the age group and multigrade teaching ?

Thanks so much.. really excited but just so nervous!

Hi all. Starting my first year as an NQT for the upcoming school year and the idea of having a full timetable is starting to dawn on me.

Unfortunately, I didn't find the PME particularly helpful when it came to creating my own resources. I felt as if my lessons always had to be catered to the expectations of a potential inspector and so, I would not be rushing to use most of them again. This, accompanied with the fact that I was only given two year groups during the entirety of my PME has left me feeling under prepared in this regard; as I will be teaching all years bar sixth.

Just wanting to hear from any recently qualified teachers; how did you approach creating resources during your NQT year? All the staff I've worked with during my PME have been more than willing to share their resources with new staff, but I'm endeavouring to create an archive of my own where possible. Do you plan lessons in bulk? Or approach it from more of a week to week basis.

Thanks!

(EDIT; Just for clarification, I'm post-primary)

Has anyone ever done Droichead on a subbing contract ?

hi everyone! going into my third year undergrad of secondary school teaching (maths and physics) and going out on my first placement block in october.
just wondering if anyone has any advice/essentials to give a student teacher who is lowkey scared about placement 🙈 thank you!

Hello I’ve just finished my PMEP degree and I have been given the teacher role for the Special Class. Does anyone have any advice 🥲

A place for teachers to share and discuss what's going on in their day. Feel free to vent, ask a question or just share your thoughts.

Please keep all comments respectful, have a great day.

Hi everyone! NQT here and I have some interviews next week. I am feeling pretty nervous for them as I haven’t done any before and I’m not sure if I’m prepared enough for them and I’m also not sure what to expect. What is the typical structure of the interviews and how long do they generally last. Any advice welcome thank you!

Does anyone else think it's an utter disgrace that the 1% in local bargaining for second-level teachers due last September has yet to be implemented? The primary school teachers got it at the start of the summer by means of restoring some of the allowances in Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna as well as others. Now that the ASTI is on board with the new LC I find it very hard to take that nothing has been said over the summer.