The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast

On the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, host Orla interviews photographer Jill O’Meara about personal branding and headshot photography for professionals, including ambitious teachers seeking leadership roles. Jill explains how she creates a safe, guided studio experience in Enfield, Co Meath - optional makeover, posing, real-time photo review, attention to detail, and tailored planning around clients’ colors and personality - to help clients feel grounded, confident, and accurately represented. They discuss the risks of outdated or unrepresentative images, the many uses for professional photos (LinkedIn, CVs, WhatsApp, newsletters, podcasts, speaking, awards, editorial, school websites), and Jill’s on-location staff...

In this Growth in Educational Leadership podcast episode, I interview Nick Woolley, a former secondary maths teacher and now full-time coach and coach trainer, co-director of the Inclusive Futures Academy. 

Nick describes discovering coaching on a leadership course, becoming an ICF-accredited coach, and returning to education after initially trying to leave the sector, now coaching students through senior leaders. 

He explains Inclusive Futures (a not-for-profit CIC focused on social mobility) and the Academy’s ICF-accredited, phased coach training model that can be tiered across school roles to build a coaching culture, including a recent project trai...

I interview Xiaoxiao Mulhall, current president of Network Kildare (part of Network Ireland) and founder of Sinoventures, about inclusive growth through global connections and building deeper member relationships. Xiaoxiao explains Network Kildare’s role as a women’s network supporting business owners, employees, and aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting guided networking, joint events with other branches, and plans to increase visibility via PR, LinkedIn, Instagram, and personal branding. 

Drawing on her experience helping Irish and European businesses enter the Chinese market, she discusses fear, research, cultural understanding, protecting brand and regulatory alignment, and taking calculated risks. She shares leadership insig...

In this episode of the Growth and Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview teacher and HSCL liaison officer Cathal Twaddle about his career milestones, psychology studies, and leadership learning shaped by sport. Cathal describes an early prison service role and how a manager linked team sport to resilience and teamwork, which became a lens for his teaching and leadership. 

He discusses “two roads” moments influenced by his parents’ limited educational opportunities and his father’s dementia, emphasising reflection and ambition. 

Cathal defines high performance as consistently doing simple, logical tasks, applying this to teaching and student voice. He...

In this week's episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I speak with Andrea Byrne, who shares her journey from a secondary school teacher to becoming an online fitness coach and gym owner. 

Andrea discusses the challenges and rewards of her career change, the importance of community in her gym, and the transition from using Instagram as a teacher to leveraging it for her fitness business.

Useful Links:

The Andrea Byrne Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jbCWAicOiJUYB0pAfKxug?si=d3a3c8c3e2d0403b

In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I welcome Sean McWeeny, a math educator and juggling enthusiast. 

Sean shares his innovative approach to making math enjoyable and accessible through his unique workshops that combine juggling and quadratic equations. 

He discusses the importance of embracing mistakes, developing a growth mindset, and fostering intrinsic motivation in both students and teachers. 

Sean also delves into the significance of empathy and compassion in education and coaching, and offers insights into effective leadership strategies in schools.

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, Vicky Shilling, a former coach and expert in self-belief and self-confidence, joins me to discuss how educators and leaders can build self-confidence and tackle self-doubt. 

Vicky highlights her journey from the classical music sector to helping entrepreneurs and professionals in diverse fields develop self-trust and handle setbacks with compassion.

The conversation covers practical methods for restructuring beliefs, handling rejection, and applying these insights to educational leadership roles.

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Debbie O'Neil, the principal of Scoil Eoin, a special school in Crumlin.  Debbie shares her journey from aspiring journalist to educational leader, discusses the challenges facing special education, particularly in light of government policies on inclusion, and advocates for the importance of tailored educational environments for children with mild general learning disabilities. 

She also emphasises the importance of community, warmth, and understanding in fostering a supportive educational setting.

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Ben Henry, founder of Novera Coaching, who shares his journey from 15 years in education to becoming a career coach. We discuss the importance of clarity, building confidence, and the lasting satisfaction of helping clients navigate career transitions, particularly for teachers considering a change. We also touch upon effective coaching strategies, the significance of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses, and how to handle fear of failure in career pursuits.

 "Muscle doesn't know age. It only knows effort." In this enlightening episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I host Darina Dunne, an Irish advocate for physical activity and pharmaceutical professional. We discuss the critical role of movement in public health, her journey from pharmacology to physical fitness advocacy, the importance of strength training, and the need for paradigm shifts in public health policies. Darina also shares personal insights on confidence, aging, and the transformative power of volunteerism and physical fitness.

This episode focuses on how teachers can avoid feeling overlooked, particularly those with significant experience. The discussion includes the importance of self-reflection, skill development, positive affirmation, and aligning oneself with future leadership roles. 

I also touch on dealing with online criticism and I recognise the trauma and challenges educators face.

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I speak with Lisa Kirwan, a lecturer in pediatric nursing at Trinity College and a PhD student. Lisa shares her recent struggles with securing childcare for her four-year-old daughter and the advocacy work she has undertaken to raise awareness about the lack of childcare resources. We delve into the importance of community support, the role of empathy and communication in education, and the significance of networking and leadership development.

In this episode, HR consultant Maura Hurley joins us to discuss her extensive experience in HR management and consulting for SMEs. The conversation spans various subjects, including succession planning, organisational culture, recruitment, and the importance of emotional intelligence. Maura also emphasises the benefits of self-awareness, continuous learning, and strategic leadership while sharing practical insights for conducting interviews and handling workplace challenges.

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In episode 36, I dive deep into the importance of networking, its benefits, and strategies to overcome common networking blocks. I also share my personal experiences from a course at UCD's Innovation Academy and offer actionable steps for educators to start building their networks. Additionally, I highlight my upcoming networking event called The Lead Together Networking Event for teachers.

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I am joined by Maureen Mc Cowen, a presentation specialist and former post-primary teacher. We discuss the importance of effective communication, how to strategically prepare for interviews and presentations, and the nuances of body language. Maureen shares her personal journey and invaluable tips on adapting teaching skills to a business environment, enhancing self-awareness, and confidently presenting oneself in various professional settings.

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In episode 34 of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I share insights from a recent trip to Budapest and discuss the seven common mistakes that teachers make when transitioning into leadership roles. Key points include the importance of emotional intelligence, amplifying strengths, creating a personal leadership vision, and stepping up to lead without waiting for permission. 

🚀 Don't miss next week's episode - where I will be speaking to Presentation Skills coach Maureen Mc Cowen all about creating presentations for interviews and articulating your vision for the school and role! 

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I introduce my new title! I am The Breakthrough Teacher Leader Mentor! 🚀 In this value-laden episode, I discuss the numerous mindset challenges teachers face when stepping into leadership roles. These challenges include imposter syndrome, fear of visibility, overworking, a fixed identity as just a teacher, fear of change, the need for approval, pursuit of perfection, and fear of letting go. 

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Introducing Helena Jacob, a business and accounting teacher known for her insightful social media presence. Helena discusses how she started sharing educational resources on Twitter and Instagram, getting inspiration from other educators, and eventually launching her own book 'Lead and Succeed' to align with new leaving certificate business studies specifications. 

We explore the process of writing her book, her use of digital tools in teaching, and Helena's passion for innovative educational methods and lifelong learning. 

Helena also shares advice for teachers considering starting their own business and highlights the importance of community and collaboration among ed...

Inspired by a comment on The Gratitude Attitude Podcast, I'm reflecting on why it takes time to develop professional relationships. 

I discuss how relationships, unlike gathering people for your network requires time and consistency to develop. Emotional safety, patience, and build trust through small, consistent actions. 

Practical strategies for leaders, such as active listening, acknowledging past experiences, and celebrating small wins, are shared to help school leaders create a supportive and productive environment. 

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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome guest Linda Hannon, an experienced chemistry teacher. 

Linda shares her career journey, starting with her chemistry degree from UCD and her initial steps into teaching in Ireland. She describes her transformative experience teaching at an international boarding school in Switzerland, covering both American and British syllabi, and the challenges she faced upon returning to Ireland. 

Linda discusses the importance of organisation, adapting to different school environments, and the adjustments needed when transitioning between teaching roles. The episode also highlights Linda's methods for engaging st...

In this week's episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I delve into strategies for standing out from other job candidates. The episode emphasises the importance of teachers sharing their voices through the podcast to support and learn from each other. 

Key topics discussed include articulating your 'why,' demonstrating strategic thinking, showcasing emotional intelligence, telling impactful stories, communicating confidence and presence, understanding the reality of the role, and positioning yourself as a continuous learner. 

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In this special guest episode, I chat with Sarah Quirke, also known as Literacy Lady on Instagram. Sarah, who recently completed her master's in literacy education, shares her journey, including her plans to conduct webinars on literacy topics such as World Book Day and Reflective Reading. 

We discuss the challenges and strategies for promoting reading for pleasure in the digital age, tips for creating engaging presentations, and the importance of continuous professional development for teachers. 

Sarah also provides insights into her experiences as a special education teacher as a shared SET and offers advice for ne...

This episode delves into common concerns about storytelling during interviews and the top thing teachers worry about when it comes to interviews - if the story fits into domain A or B. 

I emphasise the importance of having a flexible mindset and using effective verbs to showcase competencies. I also highlight using the STAR technique and Venn diagrams to illustrate multifaceted skills.  Worry no more! 

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