E24: Building Meaningful Relationships, Taking Action and Developing Networks with Mark O'Dea

In episode 24 of the Growth in Education Leadership Podcast, I welcome Mark O'Dea, an engineering teacher from County Clare, to discuss his teaching career and leadership roles. 

Mark, who has been teaching since 2007, shares his journey from student to teacher in the same school and highlights the importance of building relationships with students both in and out of the classroom. He discusses his roles as an AP1 holder, year head, and his involvement in digital learning. 

Mark reflects on career accomplishments, including replacing his own engineering teacher and coaching successful football teams. He emphasises the value of connecting with students, creating a positive classroom environment, and leveraging AI and progressive teaching methods. The episode also touches on the critical roles of unions and subject associations in shaping educational experiences and future-proofing the workforce.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:38 Mark’s Teaching Journey
• 01:27 Career Highlights and Accomplishments
• 03:51 Building Relationships with Students
• 11:39 Coaching and Extracurricular Activities
• 16:09 Leadership and Refereeing Insights
• 28:07 Proactive Teamwork in Education
• 28:50 Challenges and Realities of Union Involvement
• 32:26 Importance of Union Membership
• 35:15 Senior Cycle Reform and Teacher Involvement
• 40:13 The Role of AI in Education
• 55:12 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information

USEFUL RESOURCES

• NCSE: https://ncse.ie/for-teachers
• TUI: Contact the TUI: https://www.tui.ie/contact-us.77.html
• ASTI: Contact the ASTI: https://www.asti.ie/contact-us/
• INTO: Contact the INTO: https://www.into.ie/

CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Mark on Twitter @A E D O K R A M or  
email [email protected]