This week, I caught up with Alannah McGettigan, a passionate educator from Co. Donegal, Ireland, currently in her second year teaching at a primary school in Dublin. Alannah’s teaching journey began with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Patrick’s College Dublin, followed by earning her master’s degree from Hibernia College in 2021. Since then, she has gained three years of teaching experience and has already explored teaching opportunities abroad.
In January 2023, Alannah visited New York for the first time and fell in love with its vibrant energy. Inspired by a friend’s experiences teaching there, she seized the opportunity to embark on a new adventure, teaching in a private school in New Jersey. From navigating the hustle and bustle of living in New York City, to integrating into a new curriculum and culture in New Jersey, Alannah shares the highs, challenges, and invaluable lessons from her teaching journey in the Big Apple!
Firstly, can you introduce yourself and provide some background about your teaching experience?
My name is Alannah McGettigan, I’m from Co.Donegal and im currently teaching for my 2nd year in a Primary School in Dublin. I completed my masters with Hibernia College in 2021 after completing a bachelor of arts degree in St.Patrick’s College Dublin. I have 3 years total experience teaching.
What inspired you to teach in New York, and how did you come across this opportunity?
I traveled to New York on holiday for the first time in January 2023 and fell in love with the city instantly. A mutual friend was teaching over there at this time so I got in contact with her, I couldn't believe there was a possibility for Irish teachers to teach over there.
What steps did you take to secure a teaching position in New York?
I got in touch with Trisha Hogan who worked alongside ConnectUS, a company that facilitates visa exchange programs for international teachers. They helped me create a suitable CV for elementary school job applications, got in touch about openings in various schools and also helped me with my visa application and any other documents I needed to move to the states. I got an interview for a Private School in New Jersey teaching 5th grade.
What was the visa process like for you?
I got support from ConnectUS and Cultural Vista. They made the process so easy for me. You certainly have to be on the ball with the time frame of getting documents uploaded etc.
Can you describe your first impressions of New York when you arrived?
I fell in love with New York instantly. I love the energy you feel as soon as you land. The people, opportunities and lifestyle are all about being a go-getter and I loved it so much! The city itself puts everything into perspective and you realise how big the world is. It sounds cliché, but it also really does make you feel that you can achieve anything you want to achieve and be whoever you want to be!
What is the typical school day like for a teacher in New Jersey?
As it was a private school, the day differed slightly to an average teacher in Ireland. The hours were slightly longer starting at 8:30am and finishing at 3:30pm. There was also specialist teachers for subjects such as music, drama, coding, spanish, art and gym. This gave me free time to catch up on planning, prepare for my next lesson or do any paperwork.
How do the classroom sizes and resources in New Jersey compare to your experiences elsewhere?
My classroom size was quite small with only 9 boys. In my school in Dublin, I have a class of 16 students. The class was full of resources and the school provided many opportunities for the kids.
What kind of curriculum did your school in New Jersey follow, and how does it differ from Ireland?
The curriculum in the private school was separate from public schools. It had a particular focus on Math, writing and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math). The curriculum had a huge emphasis on integrating all of these subjects together under umbrella themes to make the learning more authentic.
What is the cost of living like in New York compared to Ireland?
The cost in New York is considerably higher than Ireland. However, the cost of living in Dublin has become very close to it, and so, I did not notice as much of a change as other people living in rural Ireland might have. I found the most expensive part being your weekly shops or trying to buy healthy whole foods. However, the quality of living in New York is more than worth its cost. It is so worth it!
Can you describe your housing situation and the types of accommodations typically available to teachers?
I found my apartment on one of the housing Facebook pages which were very helpful. I got an apartment in the Upper East Side living with two other Irish girls. Luckily, we became best friends from day one in New York which made my whole year! My commute was about 50 minutes to 1 hour every day on subways. It took some time to get used to but after a while you could do it with your eyes closed.
What can you do for leisure and entertainment day to day in New York?
I started to play Gaelic football again with one of New York's Gaelic teams, O’Donnavan Rossa. This took up a lot of my extra time with training twice a week and matches every weekend, and of course the social events with the girls on the team. I made all of my best friends from New York from the girls football team and it was so nice to have a bit of home away from home when living in New York.
In terms of entertainment, there was no shortage of activities to do in New York including nights out, Broadway shows, trying out different restaurants, running in central park and soaking up all the amazing tourist attractions that New York has to offer.
How does the salary and benefits package for teachers in New Jersey or New York compare to other places you’ve worked?
The salary is standard for living in New York and the visa offers deals to reduce the cost of health insurance.
Did you find opportunities to network with other expat teachers or local educators in New York?
Yes! I made a lot of friends with Irish teachers living in New York. It was great to meet people in the same boat as me and build friendships with other teachers. ConnectUS also hosts annual meet and greet nights for international teachers.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while living in New York?
I found my year in New York considerably easy going and didn't face as many challenges as I thought I might living in such a big city. The day to day life moves very fast in New York which for some people could be difficult. The cost of living was also a challenge that came with living in New York. Being away from family and friends is also hard but with the size of the Irish community there, you never feel too far from home.
What have been the most rewarding aspects of your teaching experience living in New York?
Getting to learn a brand new curriculum and educational culture was a priceless experience. I got to know children and teachers from all over the world.
What advice would you give to someone considering teaching in New York?
1000% do it. It is the best decision I have ever made!
What essential items should teachers bring with them when moving to New York?
In terms of teaching, you don't need much. You will be teaching a new curriculum so many of your resources from home will not be suitable for your lessons. I brought one 30kg case of clothes to keep me going until Christmas as I knew I'd be home then. I also kept in mind the amazing shopping in NYC when packing up my wardrobe.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience that we haven’t covered?
If you do decide to move to New York, go over with an open mind and say YES to every opportunity. I never regretted anything I said 'yes' to in New York and this was a big factor in making friends. Enjoy every moment, try new things and soak in all NYC has to offer.
Where can readers find out more information about teaching in New York that you would recommend?
Instagram: ConnectUS
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