Fiona George

First job: Helping out at my aunt's hairdressers.

What it taught me: The importance of being personable and building a good rapport with people.

Family/status: Partner and two-year-old daughter, Fionnla.

Best advice anyone ever gave you: I've come across different versions of this over the years, but Maya Angelou puts it best: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Teaching isn't just about delivering the curriculum, it's about the children, their lives, their parents, your colleagues, the community. No two days are the same and if that's something you enjoy, then teaching might be for you!

I grew up in North Belfast and attended Mercy Primary School and then Dominican College, Fortwilliam. It was at Fortwilliam that I discovered my passion for the Irish language. I was taught Irish by Mrs Semple and Mrs McGrath, both inspirational teachers who encouraged me to go to the Gaeltacht and to continue to study Irish. I completed a B.Ed IME at St Mary's University College in 2010 and have been teaching in the Irish medium sector since. Now in my eighth year teaching at Gaelscoil na Móna, I've had the opportunity to teach some of the most resilient and brilliant young people, who make me laugh every day.