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Spotlight #2 - Helen Bullock

Welcome to the second ITB Spotlight. This time we’re featuring Helen Bullock (@AnseoAMuinteoir), author of the popular blog Anseo A Mhúinteoir.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in education.

For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m Helen, better known as Hellie to my friends and family. I always wanted to be a teacher, for as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to teach. As a child my favourite game was playing school, I made my poor younger sister sit still in my classroom so I could teach her everything I’d learnt in school and when she was bored and refused to stay in “school” all I day I gathered a class of teddies. It was never ending. During my leaving year I was unsure what to teach, secondary or primary so I decided to do an arts degree in UCC, English and Irish. The teaching subjects. I wasn’t long deciding or realising it was primary I wanted to teach so as soon as I finished in UCC I applied to Hibernia College and started my h-dip in primary education in Febuary 2009, just months out of college and I was back studying again. I loved Hibernia, it was hard don’t get me wrong but it was worth every minute I spent at my laptop.

2. Please tell us about your blog.

My blog can be found over at www.anseo-a-mhuinteoir.com and even if I do say so myself it’s well worth a look. It was suggested to me back in early February 2009 that I should start a blog and while I laughed it off at first I started it on Febuary 14th, a Valentine’s day. I know it seems odd to remember the exact date that I started it but on Febuary 14th 2009 I was in Maynooth for my induction day to Hibernia College and my new life as a teacher. My boyfriend suggested I start a blog to document my experiences and memories of Hibernia and teaching. While at first I thought it a silly idea I took to it like a fish to water. I loved writing and my blog went from strength to strength and really took off. It wasn’t long before other Hibernia students, both from my own cohort and the other cohorts started emailing me looking for advice and ideas. Twitter soon followed along with a Facebook page. I try to cover as many teaching ideas and experiences as possible, from teaching practice to subbing and resources I find useful. In 2011 I was delighted to be a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards in Education. And thanks to that I’ve seen my blog develop even more and become more popular during the year. I can only hope 2012 goes just as well.

3. Have you written/Do you write other blogs?

I’ve been tempted as late to start a second blog, a more personal one. If I do start it I’ll be sure to let ye all know. In the mean time I’ve done a post or two for other blogs, last Christmas I was asked by Simon and Rozz Lewis to write the first of their guest posts for anseo.net about subbing. Something I really enjoyed doing. It offered a whole new challenge, writing for someone else but I loved it. At the start of this year I wrote a guest blog for a friend of mine doing a series about traditional Christmas’s around the world. I’ll admit I struggled to keep it short but thankfully she enjoyed the length and detail!

4. Are there any other blogs (educational or otherwise) that you would recommend reading?

I have some favourite blogs these days that I love reading, The Life and Times of Chantelle is one I love! Chantelle writes about her life and adventures, and recently I got to guest post for her blog, it’s no wonder I love it so! I also love reading joyfulantidotes, a blog written by my best friend about her new life in Berlin and her real loves in life.

From an educational point of view I really enjoy reading Pamela O Brien’s blog, Mr. Lane’s class blog, Mr Quinn’s Class blog and of course Seomra Ranga to name just a few of the blogs I have on my reading list. I can spend hours curled up with a good blog!

I’d like to thank Helen for agreeing to take part in this feature and for her contribution to ITB.

I hope you enjoy the Spotlights feature, let me know what you think with a comment below if you have the time.