David Gough, Primary School Teacher, St Pius X BNS Terenure

Name David Gough
Job Primary School Teacher
Education BA Irish and History; PGDE (primary), St Patrick’s College Drumcondra

I currently work in St Pius X BNS Terenure, an all-boys school with 26 teaching staff, half of whom are male. The school has a great sporting tradition, and is recognised also as a Science and Technology school, with 'Digital Schools' status.

I look forward to going into my classroom every morning as teaching for me is not a job but is something I enjoy. Building up a good rapport with the children is a vital part of my job and means I can enjoy their company, humour and wit while teaching. I take great pleasure in facilitating the children in their learning and watching and assessing their progress over the year. It is extremely fulfilling to see a child reach their potential because of the knowledge you have instilled in them and the time you have spent with that child.

Apart from my teaching and supervision duties, I manage a Senior and Junior football team who compete in the Cumann na mBunscol leagues. I am registrar of Cumann na mBunscol Ath Cliath and attend meetings every fortnight throughout the year to help organise Gaelic Games for all schools in the city. At school I am a member of the Digital Schools Committee which manages the digital equipment in the school, from computers and laptops to interactive whiteboards. I also help to co-ordinate and update the school prospectus on an annual basis.

Teaching is a challenging career but I believe that is what makes it so interesting. All children learn in different ways and at a varying pace. As a teacher, one of the greatest challenges is to differentiate your methods of teaching and the content being taught so that each child learns at a pace that is suitable to them and at a level that is challenging to each individual child.

Tips for graduates

You need to be enthusiastic, to be interested in being around children and in making a difference.