Elaine recognised for kindness

Dripsey National School was delighted to hear that teacher Elaine Murphy was nominated for the Teachers Inspire Ireland award, making the final shortlist. Mandy Gabriel in her nomination said, “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.” 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. “You can imagine the upheaval for her with Mom undergoing chemotherapy and starting school at the same time,” Mandy said, “cConcentration 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.” Now 4 years later and, “Issy has caught up with her class and I’ve recovered with a clean bill of health.”

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