The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast

Orla interviews Siobhan Fitzgerald, principal of Eglish National School, a small rural DEIS school in East Galway, where she says most pupils have experienced significant trauma and many are from the Traveller community. Siobhan describes developing the LET's Stand Public Speaking programme after noticing students could create strong PowerPoints but were unable to present, and she outlines teaching public speaking as incremental skills (e.g., structure with beginning–middle–end, eye contact, body language) using a model–share–guide–apply approach. 
The conversation links public speaking to student voice, listening, confidence, leadership, and teacher self-awareness, arguing that students need practice before being asked to share opinions and that teachers already use public-speaking skills daily. Siobhan discusses teamwork, coaching for school leaders, effective interview communication, and announces a forthcoming 10-book fiction box set for ages 7–13, published by Outside the Box, aimed at wellbeing and connecting children with nature.
TIMESTAMPS
02:13 School Context and Trauma
03:15 Public Speaking Spark
05:05 Building the Program
06:44 Kids Need a Voice
10:41 Listening and Student Voice
12:54 Teach One Skill
13:11 Speech Structure Hand Model
15:53 Eye Contact and Practice
17:25 Getting Staff Onboard
19:45 Teachers as Speakers
24:03 Skills and Reflection Time
26:37 Leadership Reflection Courage
29:04 Judgment and Visionary Style
31:07 Teamwork and Learning Leaders
31:25 Team Roles and Flexibility
34:17 Elastic Band Leadership Mindset
35:30 Leadership in Small Schools
39:01 Impact Over Comparison
41:46 Coaching for School Leaders
44:38 Public Speaking for Principals
48:41 Interview Answers and Authenticity
51:49 Jargon Versus Real Stories
57:18 New Children’s Book Series
01:01:17 Nature, Wellbeing and Farewell
USEFUL LINKS
Here are links to Siobhan's programmes for schools and children
LET's Stand
https://4schools.examcraftgroup.ie/display-product-page/lets-stand-primary
Listen, How Child and Student Voice can Change the World
https://www.routledge.com/Listen-How-Child-and-Student-Voice-Can-Change-the-World/KeenanFitzgerald/p/book/9781032750330
Adventures in Coill Calm series
https://www.otb.ie/shop/well-being-sel-sphe/adventures-in-coill-calm/
[Interview by Orla Dempsey]
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Orla interviews Steven Farrell O Callaghan of Clark Recruitment on the Growth in Educational Podcast about his recent Home of the Year final appearance with his husband Mike, the publicity it brought, and his 18 years with Clark, which he officially took over in 2024 after joining in 2008. 
Stephen explains Clark’s relationship-driven approach to serving both employers and candidates, including on-site client visits, structured competency-based interviewing, candidate coaching, and an aftercare check-in process (weeks 1, 4, 6, 8, and 12). 
He discusses application volumes (e.g., ~300 for admin roles), international sourcing via partners and a work permit department, and the value and limits of psychometric tools (InnerMetrics/DISC) for hiring and team development. 
The conversation covers interview best practices, STAR storytelling, issues with untrained panellists, overly long multi-stage processes, and encouraging educators to take risks, apply even without every requirement, and seek mentoring.
TIMESTAMPS
00:48 Home of the Year Spotlight
02:52 From Publicity to Networking
03:17 Recruitment Relationship Building
06:07 Sourcing and Application Volume
08:18 International Partners and USP
09:51 Leadership Qualities and Listening
11:27 Aftercare and Psychometrics
14:41 Better Interviews and Panels
22:05 Candidate Prep and Storytelling
24:23 STAR Technique Breakdown
25:20 STAR Story Endings
26:11 Interview Surprise Fallout
27:09 Too Many Interview Rounds
29:09 Why In Person Matters
30:24 Hiring Timelines Reality
31:56 Coaching Strengths Answers
32:51 Recruiter Value Explained
35:24 Long Term Relationships
36:52 Psychometrics For Teams
42:33 Competencies And AI Gaps
45:36 Apply Anyway Take Risks
CONTACT DETAILS
Clarke Recruitment Website:  https://clark.ie/
Watch Stephen and Mike on Home of the Year here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/home-of-the-year/SI0000000759?epguid=IP10017032-12-0007
Clarke Recruitment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarkrecruitment/
[Interview with Orla Dempsey}
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Orla interviews primary teacher and Instagram creator Aislinn Nic Pháidín: (Is Muinteoir Mé) about taking a two-year career break to become a Teacher Fellow in DCU’s BEd programme after teaching since graduating from Marino in 2013/2014. Ashlyn describes her hesitant application process, fear of change, and practical trade-offs, including commuting, longer days, no school holidays, and a pay cut, balanced by funded further study and a Master’s. 
She explains the fellowship’s purpose of bringing current classroom insights into third-level teacher education, mentoring and visiting students on placement, and why it is limited to two years. Aislinn reflects on realising she was near burnout, feeling refreshed, revisiting best practice, and promoting relationship-building, balance, and well-being for student teachers. 
She discusses how drama built confidence, and how COVID led to webinars, Irish-language resources, and a bilingual teacher planner.
TIME STAMPS
00:43 Aislinn's Teaching Journey
01:52 Applying for the Fellowship
03:38 Fear of Change and Decision
06:32 Tradeoffs and Master’s Funding
07:15 Why It’s Only Two Years
09:13 Returning Refreshed
11:52 Sharing the Move Online
15:17 Qualities of Teacher Fellows
19:06 Imposter Syndrome and Team Balance
21:03 Relationships First
21:36 Teacher Wellbeing Boundaries
23:26 Rest Is Productive
25:23 Priorities And Time
27:13 Drama Builds Confidence
29:59 Showtime In Class
34:14 Planner Born In Covid
38:20 Helping Teachers Take Risks
39:10 Leap Of Faith Closing
[The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
Host: Orla Dempsey]
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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Brien Kearns, administrative principal of Castletown National School in Navan, County Meath, about his career from an early HR role in the Department of Justice to nearly 20 years in teaching and becoming a principal in 2020 just before COVID.
Brien explains how HR experience shaped his approach to relationship-building, communication, professionalism, and handling grievances, and how principals spend much of their time on “managing the organisation.” He discusses hiring for fit and strengths, supporting staff at different life stages, and the value of reflection through school self-evaluation and critical friends. 
Brien shares lessons from failing principal interviews before succeeding on his third attempt, emphasising credible, evidence-based answers, preparation, feedback, and perseverance. He advises using AI carefully without losing authenticity, and stresses following policy, circulars, and frameworks for fairness, trust, and protection. 
He closes with advice for new principals: be genuine, empower staff, seek help, show humility, and accept ongoing learning and imposter syndrome.
TIMESTAMPS
00:23 From Teacher to Principal
02:28 HR Roots in Justice
05:31 Relationships Drive Schools
08:17 Hiring and Staff Fit
11:02 Duty of Care for Staff
12:38 Learning From Interview Failure
17:13 Postgrad and Answer Structure
18:36 Advice After Rejection
21:02 Feedback for Middle Leaders
23:12 Self Awareness as a Leader
23:42 Growth Through Change
24:31 Learning From Failure
25:36 Reflection Habits
26:51 School Self Evaluation
28:12 Critical Friends Network
29:37 Job Applications Lessons
33:23 AI Without Losing Voice
35:54 Policies And Frameworks
42:26 New Principals Advice
44:42 Imposter Syndrome Reality
45:43 Final Encouragement
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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 headshot work. Jill shares her background in architecture, the importance of body language and “listening eyes,” and her takeaway: “do it anyway.”
TIMESTAMPS
00:36 Jill Studio Experience
01:52 Networking Photographer Life
03:14 Headshots And Authenticity
04:50 Teachers Confidence Online
06:44 Where To Use Photos
08:56 Personal Brand Explained
10:01 On Location Team Headshots
11:42 Architecture To Photography
13:07 Tailored Shoots Planning
17:07 Helping Camera Shy Clients
20:41 Clients Return And Legacy
22:41 Ripple Effects of Leadership
24:16 Home Self vs Work Self
25:36 Family Shoots and Studio Fun
27:43 Know Your Audience
28:41 Body Language in Portraits
30:51 Grounded Confidence on Camera
33:48 Interview Presence and Nuance
35:44 Building Real Confidence
38:02 Brand Photos for Opportunities
41:15 Do It Anyway
42:21 How to Book Jill
43:23 Final Thanks and Wrap
CONTACT JILL
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-o-meara-photography/
Website: https://www.jillomeara.ie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillomearaphotography/ 
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