Brian Rock – Ms McDermott

My Irish language in secondary school, Ms McDermott, has had the most influence on me. I was a quiet and withdrawn teenager who lacked confidence. Ms McDermott encouraged me to join our school’s Public Speaking club. She built up my confidence and self-esteem to speak in front of others. This resulted in me winning a Dublin Public Speaking competition when I was 17. Great teachers change lives, and without her influence I would not have pursed a career in teaching myself.