Mary Meade: A lifetime in education in Waterford
Mary Meade, Mercy Secondary. Photo Joe Evans
Mary Meade has spent a lifetime in education.
From her days growing up in Passage East National School, to boarding in the Sacred Heart of Mary Secondary School in Ferrybank, Mary knew from a young age that teaching was her passion.
She completed a science degree in UCD, obtained a PHD in chemistry, and worked with the Medical Council, before taking up her first teaching jobs.
Mary spent a year in Mercy Beaumont and 15 years in Portmarnock Community School, before returning to Waterford to become deputy principal and principal of Tramore CBS.
After four years in Tramore, Mary moved to the Mercy Secondary School in Waterford City in 2012.
She has remained there ever since and has now decided to close the door on her teaching career and enter her next chapter - retirement!
“Teaching was always my first love,” Mary said when asked how her passion for teaching was borne.
“I always loved my subjects, and I love imparting that knowledge to pupils. I really love it when you can see a piece of information click with a student, seeing them suddenly understand something.
“Education is an adventure, a journey, and seeing the light dawning in their eyes during that process, that’s what I really enjoyed.”
During our conversation, Mary reflected on her first day at the Mercy in 2012 and the excitement she felt at walking through the school’s doors for the first time.
“The Mercy has a hugely proud tradition here in Waterford. It is a well-known school for academic results, as well as for providing holistic education to all its students.
“So on my first day, I said to the staff that I would like to continue that tradition, and that I would like to learn more about it.”
You don’t spend a life in education without encountering significant changes and challenges along the way.
Over the decades, the way children are taught has changed drastically, Mary said.
From the old Group Cert system to the newer Junior Cert and Junior Cycle, the school system in Ireland is very different to what it used to be.
“When I was in school students were seen, but they weren't really heard. We were so used to sitting and being quiet, you wouldn't really speak up for yourself as much.
“So that is a big change I've noticed over the years, the students now are much more confident, much more capable and willing to stand up and speak. We've worked an awful lot on that in recent years.
“Nowadays we are trying to equip the students with knowledge, skills and competencies so that they can navigate the real world, but a real world that's changing very, very quickly.
“It really is lifelong learning now. And that's the big change.”
Mary said the role of a teacher or principal is much more than teaching in the classroom.
“Part of a school's role now is to help students to understand themselves, their mental health, physical health and their emotional and social relationships.
“Sometimes you know when someone walks in the door, something is wrong, they're having a bad day, something is going on. You have to try and figure out what's going wrong and you have to do that diplomatically.
“We try to prepare students for the real world as best we can. I think you have to make room for people to make mistakes, learn, grow and blossom into a more rounded person.”
Over the years, technology has also drastically changed not only how students learn, but how they interact and engage with the world as a whole.
Principals and teachers have had to adapt, and quickly.
“Computers, information technology, social media, AI; it’s all happening very quickly, and you have to try and keep up with these changes.
“One of the first things I did when I started here was I brought in computer classes for all students and I think that our students here should be very well set up for managing AI.
“The genie is out of the bottle, so we need to try and teach the kids how to use AI ethically and how to use it effectively for themselves in their lives.”
When asked what she will miss most about the job, Mary said simply: The people.
“I’ll miss the energy of the students, that keeps you young and alive.
“I'll miss the collaboration and support from colleagues. People in teaching are very, very hardworking and are really genuinely committed to helping students to achieve their potential as best they can.
She added: “I am so proud of the hardworking students and their teachers who guided and mentored them to achieve gold medals for the best results in their leaving cert business, geography and history examinations and those who received scholarships to third-level colleges over my 14 years in the Mercy."
It's exciting times ahead for Mary, and a well-deserved break is on the cards after a lifetime of hard work.
She says that travelling will be one of her main goals for retirement.
She plans to experience the modern seven wonders of the world and visit family in Australia.
“I love travelling. When I was a teacher in the classroom I often went abroad and I could be gone for three months during the summer.
“I'm sure I'll probably dip my toe and education as well,” she said.
“I've always been interested in computers, and I wouldn't mind learning a little bit more about social media and AI.
“Most of all I'm looking forward to being able to spend time with people, my family and friends.”
Mary added: “I'd like to thank everybody for all their support over the years”.
“I found it very enjoyable to work with everybody here in the school, from the staff to the parents, the board and the Trust.
“I would hope going forward that the school would maintain its culture and its tradition of trying to develop students academically and to reach their full potential, but also helping them to become more well-rounded people who will become active citizens in this country.”
Incoming principal, Tania O'Sullivan, has a rich history at the Mercy.
From her own school days, to teaching in the school, she knows the Mercy inside and out.
“She has great engagement with the students and the parents, so I think she'll be a great fit to the role of principal,” Mary said.
“I think she is very enthusiastic, forward-thinking and passionate about the school and its students, and I think she'll bring new life to and a new perspective to the role that will bring the school forward and help it thrive.”
