Getting to Know... 

What is your favourite TV show? 

It’s impossible to choose between the Simpsons or Seinfeld. There’s not really a day that goes by that I don’t find a reference to either of those shows in my daily life.

Do you have any pets? 

This year my partner and I adopted the world’s sweetest dog, a Lab x Kelpie named Galtee. She’s named after the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary where my family is from in Ireland. Galtee is super smart and snuggly, she has a gorgeous red coat, and loves to play frisbee. She is one of the purest joys of my life.   

Why did you want to work in education? 

I wanted a job where I felt like I was making a difference in the world and I also knew that I just loved being around kids. When I started the first placement of my teaching degree, I knew immediately that I’d found the right career for me. I’ve had around 200 students in my classroom across my career so far, and I think that’s the best privilege to have had the chance to impact so many lives. I still get emails, letters, and visits from former students checking in and telling me how they’re enjoying life. I feel so lucky that I get to come to work at Essendon North every day having fun and learning with such amazing students and passionate teachers. 

You smashed out some ripper songs as part of our ENPS Staff Band last year! How long have you been a drummer? What does it bring to your life? 

That’s a really generous statement. I’m not a drummer at all. I’ve actually played the violin for most of my life, so that’s where my true musical talent lies. My brother was an incredible drummer, so I played with him as a kid, learning how to keep a beat and let out some pent up energy.

What is your favourite type of music? 

Honestly everything and anything. Mum says she actually had cravings for music when she was pregnant with me rather than foods - she’d wake up and turn on the radio, and she bought a stack of cassettes during those nine months. That’s really set the tone for my whole life - I have a vinyl record collection of over 600 or so records. My top artists are Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, John Martyn, Michael Jackson. 

What are you most proud of?  

I’m so proud of my parents. They’re two people from small rural farming towns in Ireland and took a big risk to move their family to Australia - a place where they knew no one and had very little money, in a time where technology left migrants much more isolated to the monthly phone call home. Mam and Dad both supported each other to work exceptionally hard to provide their four kids with the amazing opportunities Australia has to offer. They’re both hilariously witty, effortlessly generous, and loving. If I have half the inner strength, love for life and family at their age, I’d be delighted.   

Tea or coffee? 

Ah, this is a really hard one - it’s got to be coffee, though. I love the ritual of making coffee every morning in the kitchen. And what teacher can get through the day without a little shot of caffeine? 

Big cities or rural adventures? 

Rural adventures. Give me the great outdoors any day - I love spending summer camping in the Australian bush, waking up to the sound of birds, watching a million stars at night - doesn’t get better than that. 

Read the book or watch the movie? 

Read the book - I’m yet to be convinced there’s any movie which is as good as or better than the book… let me know! 

Snow or beach? 

It’s the beach for me. A true Pisces at heart, I love the water - surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, swimming - it’s my happy place. 

Do you have any hobbies? 

I’ve inherited a bit of a green thumb from my parents. I love spending time in the garden, particularly growing some of my own seasonal produce. Outside of gardening, I love any kind of sport, woodworking, and collecting vinyl records. 

Have you ever been given some advice that changed your life? 

There’s a Maya Angelou quote that is something I come back to often - “When you know better, you do better”. I think it allows me to have grace for myself and others that life is a journey where we’re all discovering how to be the best version of ourselves. It’s also a reminder to keep learning and challenging my own thinking. 

Do you like to cook? If yes, what's your signature dish? 

I absolutely love cooking. I’ve been vegetarian for most of my adult life, so have become quite proficient with trying recipes from across the world with incorporating lots of good veg, spices, acids, fats. 

Do you have a standout memory from your time at primary school? 

I really loved my primary school experience - I went to a lovely little Catholic school in Melbourne’s East. My immediate memory that came to mind was the sheer pain of playing British Bulldog on those classic 90s bitumen basketball courts. I still have a faded scar on my knee as a souvenir. But most of all, I really remember some lovely teachers that I had who made learning fun and school a great place to be.   

What do you enjoy most about your role at ENPS? 

I have a few different roles at ENPS. The most important one is being a classroom teacher, and it’s got to be the students that I enjoy. I love seeing the ‘ah-ha’ moments of learning, having a laugh and playing games, but also seeing young people become more themselves throughout a year. I also lead the Year Five team, which is a privilege and great responsibility to ensure we all stay on track with teaching and learning, organising excursions, and pushing us all to be the best teachers we can for our lovely Year Fives.