Christina Richmond

Gaelscoil na Móna
  
Subject:  Irish medium primary education.
Your place of birth: Belfast.
Studied at: St Dominic’s, QUB and St Mary’s (TICO).
First job: Retail assistant.
What it taught me: I worked in several different places as a retail assistant. I learnt most from my five years working in the Disney store. The most important thing I learnt from my time at Disney was the importance of creating a bit of magic in other people’s lives and that kindness goes a long way.
Family/status: Single.
Best advice anyone ever gave you: Every day is a school day (literally). Be open to the amount that you will learn from your children and from your colleagues. Continue to upskill and challenge yourself as well as your pupils.
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Get to know the children as individuals. You must genuinely love the children you teach. You are a big part of their lives, just as they are a big part of yours. For me, the most important part of being a teacher is the relationship between the teacher and their pupils. If you have a good relationship with your children, everything else will fall into place.

I started working in Irish medium education as a classroom assistant for two years before completing my PGCE in St Mary’s in 2020. I am surrounded by very inspirational family, friends and colleagues who always encourage me to do my best. I was lucky to go on my first placement as a student teacher to Gaelscoil na Móna, where I currently work. I teach an amazing class of P3s/4s, take our sports teams and promote mental health and well-being amongst our staff and children.
I love to learn and often enroll in night classes to enhance my personal and professional development. My counselling qualifications have been particularly beneficial this year due to the challenges faced by children during the pandemic.
Playing GAA for my club Naomh Eoin has always been a passion of mine. As a sportswoman and teacher, I enjoy taking an active role in coaching and educating our children in both my school and club. I hope to inspire, create opportunities and build character in the next generation of children in my local community, as my coaches and teachers did for me.