Naomh Pol News Issue 2

A Student Teacher in a Pandemic
My name is Emma Ruddy. I am a third-year student teacher currently studying at St Mary’s
University College, Belfast. I have been honoured to be placed here in St Paul’s, for my third
of four placements. My subject areas are Religious Studies and English and it has been an
absolute joy to be a part of both of these departments in St Paul’s.
This experience of teaching remotely has been a huge
learning curve for me, both personally and
professionally. Despite the overwhelming
consequences of this pandemic, teaching and learning
has progressed at a much-accelerated rate. The shift to
remote learning has resulted in many of us having to
adjust quickly and effectively. I have made adaptations
to my own style of teaching and I can now fully
appreciate the benefits of using technology to improve
learning for pupils. I have been so impressed with the
pupils in St Paul’s as they have proven their resilience
and endless capabilities throughout this pandemic, as
they are excelling at taking part and interacting with
online teaching. I am so grateful to each and every
pupil who I have taught for exactly this, as they have
made my experience here so enjoyable. It has been my privilege to be given the opportunity
to play a small part in their education, over the last 8 weeks of online learning.
Throughout the inevitable challenges faced when teaching online, I have been comforted by
the fact that St Paul’s have such a supportive and caring staff. I have been able to
communicate with staff in both the English and Religion departments almost
instantaneously as they were always ready and willing to respond, as quickly as though we
were in a classroom. The online platforms used here in St Paul’s are extremely efficient as
they allow for communication to flow so easily and at such a fast pace. Each member of staff
who I have worked with have been so helpful, nothing was ever too big an ask.
With this combination of hard-working pupils and a dedicated staff, not even a global
pandemic could get in this school’s way! I can honestly say I have loved every minute of
being a part of the English and Religion departments and of the entire school community
here in St Paul’s. I have been made to feel like a part of the school family from the outset
and I will be truly sad to go.