Seán Mac an Bheatha

Coláiste Feirste
  
Subject:  SEN classroom assistant.
Your place of birth: Belfast.
Studied at: University of Ulster.
First job: Next.
What it taught me: What my first job taught me was the value of money. It taught me how you had to work hard and put effort in to reap the rewards. Working at such a young age also taught me how to be more confident and helped me gain a better understanding of public life.
Family/status: Single.
Best advice anyone ever gave you: It costs nothing to be nice! You never know the situation anyone is in, they could be putting on a brave face but struggling on the inside. Your words can make a big difference to people’s day so try and make sure they’re nice and positive.
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Every day is a school day. No matter what age you are if you have the right attitude you will always learn something new every day. Also, be patient, kids develop and mature in their own way and if you show a great level of passion and support you will see every kid flourish in their own unique way.
  
Growing up in the east of the city I attended Scoil an Droichid where I grew up through the medium of Irish before moving on to Coláiste Feirste. I have since come back to work in Coláiste Feirste working in the Learning Support Centre as an SEN classroom assistant coming up five years. I can truly say that I love and enjoy every moment of my job, especially getting to use my native language every day. Being able to be part of a child’s journey and help them overcome their additional needs is both rewarding and inspiring. Working with such an a great, hard-working SENCO teacher and a 40-plus amazing team makes my job even easier, helping each other out in any way possible. My family are a big influence on my life, always supporting and pushing me on to be the best version of myself and for that I will always be grateful.