Shannen Cassidy

Gaelscoil Éanna
    .
Your place of birth: Belfast.
Studied at: Coláiste Feirste.
First job: Build-A-Bear.
What it taught me: At 16 I started my first job, lacking a lot of confidence in myself. I always knew I wanted to work with children but over time my passion grew. It taught me how to cater to specific needs of certain children, how to be kind and understanding. How to be patient with not only children but their parents. I quickly realised that to support children I needed to also support those parents just as much. I knew then that a school setting would be the perfect place for me.
Family/status: Single.
Best advice anyone ever gave you: To always be kind. In life we all struggle at some point, you never know what’s hiding behind a smile. Be kind and patient with people, we're all in this together. 🤍
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Don't be too serious. Have fun!
Always wear your best smile, sometimes it's the only smile a little one will receive that day.
Always listen to little voices and lend a helping hand. It’s not always rainbows and sunshine, children can be challenging, so patience is virtue.

My name is Shannen Cassidy and I have been working as part of the amazing team at Gaelscoil Éanna for 11 years now. I always had a passion for working with children and while at school I was placed in Gaelscoil Éanna once a week for two years on placement. I knew right away I wanted to be part of this amazing project in the hills of Glengormley. I myself attended Irish medium nursery, primary and secondary school, therefore the Irish language was always in my heart.
To be here 11 years later, watching hundreds of young Gaels pass through, has been an absolute privilege as at one time long ago I was the only child in Glengormley that attended Coláiste Feirste.
This job has made me the person I am today, it has opened my eyes to the joys of education and working alongside the most amazing little humans. They inspire me each and every day.
Mol an Óige agus tiocfaidh sí.