{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Leading for Impact with IPPN","title":"Leadership, Balance & Children First: Deirdre Kelly","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1815,"description":"Welcome to IPPN’s Leading for Impact podcast.\nIn our first ever show, Brian O’Doherty sits down with Deirdre Kelly, newly elected president of IPPN and principal of St. Michael’s National School in rural Sligo.\nDeirdre shares her personal journey from a childhood steeped in education to a career spanning special schools, disadvantaged settings, and nearly two decades as a teaching principal.\nShe reflects on the steep learning curve of leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the constant challenge of balancing classroom teaching with the demands of school leadership.\nDeirdre also discusses her path into IPPN governance, her priorities for her presidency, and why authenticity and keeping children at the heart of every decision will guide her tenure. This is an honest, engaging conversation about leadership, advocacy, and creating safe, thriving school communities.\nTHINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT\nHow a family tradition in teaching shaped Deirdre’s career in education.\nThe unique rewards and challenges of being a teaching principal in a small rural school.\nThe value of mentorship and collegiality for new school leaders.\nManaging the “perfect principal” myth — and learning to say “this is enough.”\nArticulating teaching principals’ views at national level through IPPN.\nWhy authenticity and a child-centred focus will define Deirdre’s presidency.\n\nGUEST DETAILS\nDeirdre Kelly is the principal of St. Michael’s National School, a five-teacher rural school in County Sligo, and the newly elected president of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN). \nWith a teaching career that spans special schools, disadvantaged settings, and large urban schools, she brings a wealth of experience to her leadership role. A graduate of Froebel College and Trinity College Dublin, Deirdre has served on IPPN’s National Council and Board of Directors, advocating strongly for teaching principals. \nKnown for her authenticity, passion for member engagement, and commitment to keeping children at the...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/aJi42R4jdQBofPBLmW-b33-JKAUvRVBOY-VGg9-Wf_8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jZGUw/NjJmNjExYWFlODZm/OWNiYjQ0MzQyYjZi/OTE1ZC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}