My name is Dawn Gardiner. I am a Secondary Education student concentrating on science and mathematics at Indiana University in Bloominton, Indiana, U.S.A. At Indiana University, I am enrolled in the Cultural Overseas Project. In this class, I studied the cultural, historical, and educational aspects of the Republic of Ireland to help prepare me for actually living in an Irish community and working in an Irish school. I am currently into my fifth week of my experience, and I each day I observe and learn more and more.
I am living in Clonaslee, County Laois with John and Imelda Cusack and their two lovely daughters, Louise and Danielle. I live conveniently close to both school and town. Outside of school, I have kept busy by travelling, taking walks about Slieve Bloom, assisting with the girls' basketball team, and helping with the Clonaslee Youth Group. The people in town and the family I am living with have been super friendly, supportive, and hospitable, therefore allowing me to adjust with ease.
The school in which I work is the Clonaslee Vocational School. I have been extremely impressed with each teacher's knowledge of their subject and method of instruction as well as student academic and athletic success. It is even more impressive because of the school's lack of resources and materials. All of the teachers possess positive attitudes and really utilize the most of what they have. In science laboratories, teachers use many demonstrations to emphasize the material since there is not enough equipment for the students to use. The students, however, are still able and eager to master the concepts. The Clonaslee Girls' Basketball team has two basketballs for 25-30 girls, and they still maintain championship tradition. These are just two examples of the incredible committment and drive for excellence displayed by the staff and students alike. Working at Clonaslee Vocational School has truly been an enlightening and learning experience for me. I will have such great insight to bring back with me to the schools in America.