Aoife Lambert was struggling to find a permanent role at home in Ireland and was longing for stability in a career that she loved.
“I originally moved to Edinburgh in December 2014 after accepting a six-month temporary post in St David’s Primary School,” she explains. “I had every intention of returning to Ireland as soon as my contract was complete. Fortunately, my contract was extended and in December 2015, my post became permanent.”
It was a short visit to two friends in Edinburgh that set Aoife’s sights on the Scottish capital – and it didn’t take long for her to fall for the city.
“Edinburgh is such a beautiful city with incredibly friendly people and stunning medieval architecture. I have always felt there is an air of magic to it,” she says.
With a population a 16th the size of London, Edinburgh proved to be the right balance of city life with a welcome amount of breathing space.
“There is an abundance of things to do all year round,” she says. “I look forward to the Fringe Festival each summer and enjoy the traditional Christmas markets in winter.”
And, if you want a break from the city, the rest of Scotland is on your doorstep.
“Although it is the capital, it is quite small, so you don’t need to drive for more than 30 minutes to reach gorgeous beaches or stunning mountains and hills.
“When the weather gets warmer, I love going camping. There are hundreds of campsites dotted all around the country so it’s so easy to hop into the car on a Friday and swap the classroom for the great outdoors.”
When Aoife was looking for work, the thing she valued most, she says, was stability. And in Scotland, she has progressed in ways she says she never expected.
“In June 2018, I applied for the new role of development officer and began working in the promoted post at the beginning of this academic year. [The post] was awarded through the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) to try to raise attainment and close the gap in our school.”
And there are opportunities in Scotland that just weren’t available to her in Ireland, she continues.
“You are fully supported as a teacher in Scotland. All teaching councils offer unlimited continuing professional development and training opportunities, most of which are free. There are also more opportunities for advancing in your career – my role, in particular, is unique to Scotland, as are many others.”
Aoife says it was important that she was valued as a teacher and put in an environment where she could plant her roots and grow.
“St David’s allowed me to find my feet at the early stages of my career and develop it in many ways. They have become my Scottish family,” she says.
“I am endlessly grateful for the opportunities I have been given here; my life has truly changed. What was a six-month-long work experience has become an incredible life-changing journey.”