Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect, perfectly imperfect conversation with Dr Deirdre McGilliCuddy (aka Dr Dee) , an author and a former primary school teacher with over 25 years’ experience working in education. She has worked as a researcher and as an academic, preparing students to become teachers at early childhood, primary and post-primary level. She is passionate about educational equality, stemming from her time working in a DEIS school in Dublin.

Her book Educaring from the Heart. How to Nurture Your Wellbeing and Re-discover Your Purpose in Education just spoke to me. The language Deirdre uses resonated so deeply with me.

We talked more specificially about:

- Her journey in Education

- Educaring from the Heart

- The importance of Educator Wellbeing

- the Educator Backpack concept

- Value clash in Education

- Navigating personal and professional values

- The ripple effect of educator values

- The Dandelion exercise and control in education

- Understanding your 'why' in education

- Collective wellbeing in educational ecosystems.

- The importance of slowing down

- Building connections and community in education

And so much more, including 'why you and what you do in education matter.'

Thank you SO MUCH Deirdre. I totatlly enJOYed our dialogue. I am such a huge fan of your work and research.

I have no doubt that you will too, particularly if like me you are passionate about Teacher and Student Wellbeing in Education.