Gerard Doak

Belvoir Park Primary School

School website: https://www.belvoirparkps.co.uk
Subject or primary school year: Primary 7.
Your place of birth: Belfast.
Studied at: St Mary's University College Belfast.
First job: Cleaner. 
What it taught me: Perseverance and attention to detail. 
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: I would say to anyone thinking of a teaching career to go for it! It is the most rewarding job in the world. Helping children achieve their goals. whether it be academically, socially or emotionally, is beyond rewarding. Be patient and be kind. 

I have to thank my amazing teachers at St Aidan's Primary School (now John Paul II Primary) in West Belfast for inspiring and encouraging me towards a path into teaching. I am fortunate to have amazing parents who guided and helped me along the way. I studied at St Mary's University College in Belfast as well as Cumbria for my teaching degree. From then I have been fortunate to teach in many schools in and around Belfast.

I have taught P1 to P7, whether that be in specialist provision, mainstream or EAL classes. What I take from that experience is that each child has their own journey and path to go on and it is my job to help guide and nurture them towards their goals. I am currently working with an amazing group of people at Belvoir Park Primary School who provide a fun and interactive learning experience for all the children. I'm excited to see where my career takes me in the years ahead.