Laois Preschool loses a legend as well-loved teacher retires after 24 years
Ann O’Brien has retired from her role in Ar nOige Playschool in Portarlington
A well-loved member of the community, Ann O’Brien has retired from her role in Ar nOige Playschool on Patrick Street, Portarlington.
After 24 years working in the school, Ann said: “It was just my time.”
On why she enjoyed her time in the school, Ann said: “My favourite thing about working in the school was seeing the progress of the children over the years. I have always loved working with kids and I find them down through the years very honest and open and I always have a good bond with children.”
One thing that stands out to Ann is that progress with the children, she said: “It is something you will always remember. One story in particular that stands out to me is progress with an additional need I had. When he started with us he was nonverbal and he had a lot of temper tantrums and in the two years we had him he came on in leaps and bounds as we put a strict routine in place with him and he has now gone through mainstream school. Those achievements mean a lot when you see you are making a purpose in someone's life”.
Ann built many relationships with the families of the children and she remarks it is just as important to cultivate those relationships as well as relationships with the children.
“I am still in contact with that particular child’s parents and he is doing excellent. I have been living in the town for the last 40 years and I would have good connections with families even afterwards.”
On what life looks like for Ann now after she is retired, she said: “I will be volunteering and I have four grandchildren. They are 14, 11, three and eleven months. I have my hands full and I want to spend a lot more time with my grandchildren and to be standing at the side of a football pitch cheering when they are playing.”
On the volunteer organisations Ann is involved in, she said: “I have been involved in Laois Hospice for 28 years and I look after the fundraising in our area. I am also involved in Laois Tidy Towns for 25 years as the treasurer.”
Looking back on her last day in the school, Ann said: “I had a party in the school for all the families that are with me this year. I am on the Offaly side of town also so I invited Offaly County Childcare Committee and the staff over to celebrate and they all came which was great. We sat outside and we had tea and coffee and finger food and we cut a cake to mark the 24 years.”
On the emotions she felt during her last day, Ann said: “I wasn’t emotional because I knew when I made the decision to retire last September it was the right one, it was a time for me to stand back and once you know yourself. The majority of children were moving onto national school. I only had six children looking for places in September and I met with the parents to inform them and they all got places. I was glad when I left that everyone was sorted.”