Sarah Normoyle

Science Teacher, specifying in Biology and Chemistry for Leaving Certificate, diligent worker and eager to learn. Experienced in a fast paced environment and works well as part of a team. Excellent organisation and numeracy skills, motivated, honest and not afraid to ask questions for clarity. Newly Qualified from a Bachelor of Science with concurrent Teacher Education (Biology and Chemistry) Degree in the University of Limerick. I really enjoyed my course and find both the science and education syllabus very interesting. I am enthusiastic and hard-working and experienced in a fast paced environment and work well as part of a team. Excellent organisation and numeracy skills, motivated, honest and not afraid to ask questions for clarity. I want to improve my existing skills and I am keen to work in an environment that fosters enthusiasm and stimulation in learning and offers an on-going learning experience for me.

• Teamwork, I played soccer, Gaelic football and basketball growing up and gained a strong sense of team identity and the need to work together in order to succeed. Working in a fast paced environment in The Bellbridge House Hotel as a waitress and bartender, working as one is key to ensure that all the customers receive prompt and efficient service. Teamwork applies in this environment not only to the team of waitresses but also how we interact with the kitchen staff and managers. Throughout my first year of college teamwork was crucial when completing labs and although for third year we were remote learning, teamwork was still necessary to complete group projects with ease. As part of my Teacher as a Professional module I had to work with 4 other people to complete a group project worth 40% of the module. My role was to create a video presentation along with the rest of my group on an issue or subject area we found hadn’t been dealt with clearly enough during our teacher practice. The issue we chose was How to Deal with Violence and Harassment as a Teacher which I found to be quite informative and insightful and will be very applicable in my career as a teacher.
• Communication Skills, I have undertaken many roles and events in which communication is right at the forefront. My communication skills have certainly been tested in various settings. They have certainly been tested in college life as the way I present and display laboratory reports is vital. My work-life also emphasises heavily on the importance of communication from the way we interact with each other and all the staff to the customers. I studied Honours English for my leaving Certificate and understood that communication and the way we portray or words to make a point is vital for a well written piece. Communication plays a role in my course also, such as in labs where group work is involved. it is important to be able to converse with your partner or group in what tasks have to be completed and how it will be tackled such as during a titration experiment telling your partner that you have filled the burette with 0.1M NaOH to ensure that no other substance is poured in, affecting your experiment. In school I was always involved in school plays and I think this gave me the practice to be confident when speaking to others or to a group and ensuring that my point gets across correctly. This confidence also played a major role in my teaching practice as I believe that through this it became easier to stand up in front of a class and present and interact with students. I also found that this growth in confidence helped me when interacting with other teachers and personnel in school which helped when creating a working relationship with them. This aided in the collaboration and sharing of ideas and opinions while on placement and aided me in creating the best lessons possible for my classes. Being trusted solely with classes gave me a sense of responsibility and self-belief which was crucial while developing myself as a teacher. I believe speaking to the wide range of groups from parents to peers to superiors to children helped me to prepare for communicating with people in the appropriate manner in the real world.
• Problem Solving & Analytics, Through doing my course I have developed beneficial problem solving skills that I now take with me into everyday life. Completing labs in my various modules such as Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental and Organic Chemistry to name a few, I was faced with various problems that required quick and logical thinking. Maths requires critical thinking and well thought out solutions. When working as a waitress I am faced with daily problems that require efficient and professional solutions that keep the customer satisfied.
• Using Initiative, I have always strived to be a persistent and diligent worker in both school and the workplace. I try to identify and complete tasks without needing assistance to improve my own knowledge but also have no issue with asking if I do not understand something as I feel we all can learn something new.

• Play the piano and have completed Grade 8 Royal Irish Academy of Music, honours
• Past member of Kilmihil Ladies Football and Kilrush Ladies Basketball Clubs
• Outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking and walking
• Walking and hiking with dogs around the countryside
• Eucharistic minister for masses three months of the year
• Read at mass every few weeks
• Received a Bronze Gaisce Award