Information About Sinéad - Galway tutor

Personal Description:

Dia dhaoibh! Sinéad here. I am a kind, approachable teacher who has a passion for music, Gaeilge and helping students reach their full potential. I am teaching in a secondary school on the outskirts of Galway City, where I have been for the past few years.
I am also training to be a Guidance Counsellor and I am in my second year of the the MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development in UL.
Especially after Covid 19, many students feel as though they have missed out on large chunks of their education, and I would love to bridge that gap.

While I am not limiting students I work with, I particularly enjoy working with students who may struggle with school, who are reluctant to engage with school work, or who may struggle with school-related anxiety, overwhelm and general stress.

Tutoring Experience:

Gaeilge:
-I have taught all levels of Irish, including higher level leaving certificate.
-I work at the Gaeltacht in Conamara every summer, and have spent every summer out there for the past 14 years between being a student, a cinnire, a cúntóir, and for the past few years, a teacher.
-I am an experienced exam corrector, having corrected both Junior and Leaving Cert papers.
-I am a fluent Irish speaker and enjoy speaking Gaeilge on a daily basis with my family, friends, colleagues, students, and anybody who will speak back!

Music:
-I have taught higher level music from first year to Leaving Cert level
-I am the choral director in my school, and run a traditional Irish music group, and a music group
-I musically direct musicals and I am currently involved in musically directing 'Grease'
-I teach singing and performance at a stage school and love working with students at all levels

Approach to Grinds:

As a trainee Guidance Counsellor, currently studying the MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development, my approach always prioritises the individual who is taking the class. I don't believe in a 'one size fits all' that some other teachers might implement. I am committed to finding an approach to what suits the student in front of me.

Gaeilge:

Senior Cycle:
A lot of the time students think Gaeilge can seem quite tedious in school, and for some, impossible.
What I have found works for my students is for them to see the value in what they are learning, and I enjoy helping them break down what they are finding tricky and helping them understand even the most difficult of grammar rules.
I provide a booklet for my higher level senior cycle students, both for the oral and the written paper. These notes provide a good foundation for students who might find looking through their 500+ paged book overwhelming. Based on the student level, and their desired grade, I also provide notes that will help them reach their potential.

Junior Cycle:
The new Junior Cycle curriculum is unfortunately so large that teachers do not have enough time to focus on the fundamentals of language, and the basics of sentence structure. We are now seeing students at 5th year unable to write an answer without the teacher providing notes. I, of course, focus on the curriculum and what the students are learning in school for their Junior Cycle exam, but I make sure they understand what they are writing and are genuinely ready for the big step up that is senior cycle.

Music:

Junior Cycle:
The new Junior Cycle Music curriculum is quite vast and for those who struggle with music, it may be difficult to form a reliable foundation that will carry them through. I ensure that students understand the theory but know how to put it into practice. The topics for the music exam can be quite unpredictable, but I make it my mission that all of my students are adequately prepared for any question that is thrown at them.

Senior Cycle:
The theory side of the Leaving Cert Music curriculum can seem quite overwhelming, but I enjoy breaking it down and helping my students understand what they are learning. Especially in optional subjects like music, where students feel like they can do really well, I use a student-centred approach and love to help each student to reach their potential.