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The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
๐ผ๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ญ๐ฉ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ก?
๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐, ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ค๐๐๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช!
Through my recruitment work in the education and public sectors, I see trends emerging amongst the 1000s of candidates I've helped to date - from โก๏ธ career blindspots toโก๏ธ long, complicated interview questions andโก๏ธhow confidence holds so many teachers back.
Because I understand the system that teachers work in, the language they use, the challenges they face, and the frameworks that shape education, this podcast (and the way I work) means that teachers grow professionally as quickly as possible!
Combining mindset with strategy, I'll be sharing ways to sell yourself better and how to make the Looking at Our School Document work for you. I'll also share insider stories from experts in education and beyond.
๐ฅDon't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast for weekly career and leadership tips.
Owner: Orla Dempsey
The Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast
E50: Brien Kearns - From HR to School Principal: Authentic Leadership, Reflection, and Doing Better Interviews
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In this episode of the Growth in Educational Leadership Podcast, I interview Brien Kearns, administrative principal of Castletown National School in Navan, County Meath, about his career from an early HR role in the Department of Justice to nearly 20 years in teaching and becoming a principal in 2020 just before COVID.
Brien explains how HR experience shaped his approach to relationship-building, communication, professionalism, and handling grievances, and how principals spend much of their time on โmanaging the organisation.โ He discusses hiring for fit and strengths, supporting staff at different life stages, and the value of reflection through school self-evaluation and critical friends.
Brien shares lessons from failing principal interviews before succeeding on his third attempt, emphasising credible, evidence-based answers, preparation, feedback, and perseverance. He advises using AI carefully without losing authenticity, and stresses following policy, circulars, and frameworks for fairness, trust, and protection.
He closes with advice for new principals: be genuine, empower staff, seek help, show humility, and accept ongoing learning and imposter syndrome.
TIMESTAMPS
- 00:23 From Teacher to Principal
- 02:28 HR Roots in Justice
- 05:31 Relationships Drive Schools
- 08:17 Hiring and Staff Fit
- 11:02 Duty of Care for Staff
- 12:38 Learning From Interview Failure
- 17:13 Postgrad and Answer Structure
- 18:36 Advice After Rejection
- 21:02 Feedback for Middle Leaders
- 23:12 Self Awareness as a Leader
- 23:42 Growth Through Change
- 24:31 Learning From Failure
- 25:36 Reflection Habits
- 26:51 School Self Evaluation
- 28:12 Critical Friends Network
- 29:37 Job Applications Lessons
- 33:23 AI Without Losing Voice
- 35:54 Policies And Frameworks
- 42:26 New Principals Advice
- 44:42 Imposter Syndrome Reality
- 45:43 Final Encouragement