Teachers are responsible for playing an important role in the all-round development of their students. Be it by teaching them life skills that they will continue to use throughout their lives or, developing their knowledge in various subjects, they are integral to a school.
Bringing her expertise to teaching is Sarah Moynihan, a Year 2 Class Teacher and Head of Mathematics at Ranches Primary School in Arabian Ranches 2.
Born in Ireland, Sarah Moynihan has been teaching for 11 years, with ten years spent teaching in the Middle East, and six of those in the UAE.
As teachers assist in nurturing their students, Sarah Moynihan found her calling by seeing her teachers set a high benchmark in helping her and her classmates grow.
Leading by example, Sarah Moynihan then found her niche by helping younger students develop in their formative years of learning, and daily aims to lead them to live up to their potential.
In this feature, Sarah Moynihan shares with Connector what keeps her motivated and her favourite teachers from her time in school.
What inspired you to start teaching?
My favourite primary school teacher, Miss O Leary inspired me to go into teaching. She was the kind of teacher that anyone would aspire to be on a daily basis, knowledgeable and kind, making those early memories from school so precious. She taught me more about friendships and feelings than I realised as a child, and is an aspect that I prioritise when I teach.
How did you decide to teach your current subject?
I have always been based in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) in my career and truthfully, I adore the age group. The children have all the enthusiasm that you need to make every day fun and exciting in the classroom. It is also incredibly rewarding to be able to teach children how to read and watch their progress between the ages of 5 to 7 years old in particular, it is really remarkable.
Why do you love teaching?
I enjoy my life as a teacher because of the children. Every teacher knows how tiring and stressful the work-life balance can be at certain times of the year, and sometimes even the most passionate can feel deflated when there is so much to keep on top of. So if there is one thing that reminds me every day of why I do it, it is the children and the fact that they rely on you so much as their teacher. It definitely makes it worthwhile.
Do you remember your favourite teacher from school?
Miss O Leary has been and always will be my favourite teacher. In secondary school, however, it was Mr O Mahony, the most incredible English teacher who could recite all of Shakespeare’s plays by memory.
How do you make everyday classes more interesting?
Each day I always leave a small part of the day up to the children to decide what to do. Whether it is extra time to finish their art lesson, some independent research on a topic that they are interested in, or just some quiet time to read to themselves. I found that this sets a strong level of trust and respect between me and the children, allowing for the rest of our lessons to naturally run more smoothly and creatively.
What is a unique part of the school?
Ranches Primary School is renowned for being a community school but until I began working here a few years ago, I did not fully appreciate the extent of how accurate these words are. It really is a school where everyone knows everyone and we are all willing to help each other. The children truly are such fantastic ambassadors for the school too, proven time and time again at competitions and events held across Dubai.
What would you do if you were not a teacher?
If I were not a teacher, I would one hundred per cent be some type of events planner or organiser, as that is what I am known for.
Sarah Moynihan
Year 2 Class Teacher and Head of Mathematics
Ranches Primary School