The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast

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 fo...

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 m...

In episode 26 of the Growth in Leadership Podcast, the main focus of the episode is a deep dive into the power of the question 'What did you make that mean? '  This question helps to uncover personal interpretations, reveal limiting beliefs, encourage emotional awareness, create space for reframing, and break the cycle of automatic thinking.  I share my own story of job hunting (putting...

This episode of The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast is a real gift for you and it's ideal for your reflective practice as you apply for leadership roles! Yes, I'm talking about job applications! 🎉 In this episode, I emphasise the importance of maintaining a relaxed attitude, attention to detail, and creating applications that stand out.  It also highlights the significance of t...

In episode 24 of the Growth in Education Leadership Podcast, I welcome Mark O'Dea, an engineering teacher from County Clare, to discuss his teaching career and leadership roles.  Mark, who has been teaching since 2007, shares his journey from student to teacher in the same school and highlights the importance of building relationships with students both in and out of the classroom. He discuss...

In episode 23 of the Growth and Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Simon Lewis, principal of Carlow Educate Together and a seasoned blogger, to share his perspective on educational leadership. Simon discusses his journey from a computer scientist to an unplanned career in teaching, ultimately becoming a principal. He reflects on his experiences, including launching Ireland’s first education...

In the first episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast for 2025, I delve into detailed strategies for securing senior and middle leadership roles in education. You need to BACK YOURSELF and take control of what's within your control in your job search.  I share insights from my personal experiences, offer practical tips such as practicing positive self-talk, staying determined,...

In this episode, I delve into Developing Leadership Capacity and what it looks like in schools in a practical sense. With the help of LAOS 2022, I highlight the human experiences of things like self-doubt in team teaching and finding your voice.  In a coaching style, I ask thought-provoking questions designed to help teachers dig deeper and reflect on key topics. FREE HYPNOSIS MEDITATION I've...

Today I'm addressing the common concerns that educators have about the 'Managing the Organisation' Domain.  I encounter lots of teachers who feel that they don't have experience in that area - my aim is to help teachers see that Managing The Organisation is more than  staffing managing budgets leading SSE etc.  We talk about simple teacher-centred approaches for strategies for...

In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Claire from Teaching Plans.ie.  Claire shares her unconventional path to teaching, her experience in a developing school, and how her side project, Teaching Plans, evolved into a thriving business. Claire dives into the intricacies of managing a business while on a career break, the importance of adaptability, and the impac...

In this week's episode, I welcome guest speaker Gillian Fagan, a psychotherapist from Acora Therapy. This episode centres on developing emotional awareness and intelligence, drawing on Gillian's extensive psychotherapy and mental health education background. Gillian shares her personal journey into psychotherapy, including her own experiences as a client, and dives into topics such as in...

In this week's episode, I share my insights from the recent IPPN Education Expo, and discuss my interactions with primary school principals and exhibitors. The main focus of this episode is on helping teachers develop emotional awareness. I'm outlining 10 strategies for emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, accurate emotion labeling, pausing before reacting, cultivating empat...

In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I share my excitement about the upcoming IPPN Expo in Killarney and discuss meeting school principals.   This episode offers practical advice for teachers preparing for leadership interviews, covering key strategies such as clarifying the role, reflecting on past achievements, researching the school, gathering competency-based interv...

In episode 15 of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I discuss effective strategies for navigating career growth conversations to achieve promotions. Be Proactive: The episode outlines the importance of proactive career planning and introduces the Confident Career Leader Programme, reopening in November to help individuals set career goals. The podcast highlights the value of self-awaren...

In this solo episode of the Growth and Educational Leadership Podcast, I delve into expert techniques for passing competency-based interviews, particularly for roles such as school Deputy Principal. Awareness of the DP Role : The episode covers the crucial roles and responsibilities of a deputy principal, including supporting the principal, staff supervision, student welfare, and operational manag...

In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Claire Murray, a practice nurse turned political candidate and very dear friend! Claire shares with us her experiences and motivations for entering politics. She highlighted her desire to address social issues she encountered in her nursing role, such as housing and healthcare. As a first-time entrant in the General Elect...

In this week's episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Matthew Hughes, a homeschool liaison coordinator between a primary and post-primary school in County Carlow. Matthew shares his professional journey from studying humanities and religious education to becoming involved in social care and eventually transitioning into educational roles. He talks about his experie...

In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Anna O'Connor, who is the host of the popular Gratitude Attitude Podcast. Anna shares her journey from being a dental nurse and single mother to owning two businesses and hosting a successful podcast. She discusses the power of gratitude and the Law of Attraction in achieving personal and professional goals. Anna recou...

In episode 10 of the Growth in Educational Leadership podcast, I welcome Peter and Gwenda Johnson to discuss their vast experiences in education and career development. Peter shares his journey from teaching to becoming a director at Job Care, emphasising the importance of hybrid learning and adaptability.  Gwenda is a former school principal and she shares her path in special education and offers...

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In this week’s episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast , we focus on the importance of personal and professional development . Host Orla discusses a busy week, connecting with guest speakers, and the key learnings from her coaching and mentorship work. The episode dives deep into the importance of preparing for leadership roles, especially with so many job postings out there right...

In this solo episode, I'm focusing on the personal, professional, and emotional development of mid-career teachers aiming for senior leadership roles.  I address the common challenges teachers face when they feel they have hit a career ceiling and offer strategies to reframe their approach. New Freebie -  How to Create Time to Work on Your Career:   https://www.orladempseycoaching.ie/page/569...

Episode Description In this insightful episode, I am joined by Jenny Dalton, an experienced post-primary teacher with over 20 years of teaching Irish and French. Jenny holds an AP1 post and is actively involved in various leadership roles, including the Droichead team at her school. Throughout the conversation, Jenny shares her journey into leadership, the challenges she's faced, and how she&...

In this episode, I speak with Stephanie Brady, a seasoned coach and human resources expert, to explore her journey from retail to HR and now to full-time coaching. Steph shares her personal story, the challenges of leadership, and how she rediscovered her passion through intentional self-development.  Key Takeaways: Interview Strategies: The conversation includes actionable advice on how to handle...

In this solo episode, we dive deep into the limiting beliefs that can undermine your confidence in interviews, especially for leadership roles in education. From feeling underqualified to fearing rejection, we explore practical strategies to reframe these beliefs and empower yourself to shine in your next interview. The episode also highlights the importance of self-reflection, the value of career...