2021 Stories
Supporting families in challenging timesProviding confidence and stability to families
"I will always be grateful to Miss Murphy for caring for my child, for holding her hand when I couldn't be there and making sure she never lost out or fell behind.”
Elaine Murphy, Dripsey National School, Co Cork, is nominated by Mandy Gabriel
In 2018 Mandy Gabriel was diagnosed with breast cancer. The same year her oldest child Issy was due to start Junior Infants in Dripsey National School in County Cork.
“You can imagine the upheaval for her with Mom undergoing chemotherapy and starting school at the same time.”
Mandy said, “concentration was a problem and affected her ability to learn. In swept Ms. Murphy, the kindest, softest most caring resource teacher.”
She said that every day Elaine Murphy gave Issy “one-to-one attention” which helped her confidence and “ her ability to feel safe in school.”
“She supported my child, gave her confidence and stability at a time when home wasn't due to Chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiotherapy, lump node clearance.”
It is now 4 years later and “Issy has caught up with her class and I've recovered with a clean bill of health.”
I will always be grateful to Miss Murphy for caring for my child, for holding her hand when I couldn't be there and making sure she never lost out or fell behind.”
“She is an amazing teacher and so humble. To her, she's just doing her job but to my family, she's a star.”
Mandy said she has learnt “to trust you can let your community support you.”