Welcome to my corner of the internet! I’m thrilled to reintroduce myself to all of you. I’m Dan McFarland, but feel free to call me Mr. Mc! Over the years, I've gathered a unique set of experiences that I’m excited to share with you. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into my world!
A Bit About Me
I grew up in the beautiful seaside town of Ballycasltle in Northern Ireland! I always look back fondly on my childhood there, the many hours running across the beach, through the fields or just having fun with my family.
One of the benefits of being a teacher is that I get to go home quite a lot during the half term breaks, meaning
I am never more than a a few weeks away from family and seaside air!
Career
I went to Queen's University Belfast, where I studied Zoology. Although wearing a lab coat and looking at things
under an electon microscope was fun for a short while, I always wanted to be a primary school teacher! I found one of my old school books from when I was 8 and I had written "When I grow up I want to be a teacher"....
can I get a collective 'ahhhhhhhhh' (how very panto of me). Initially I had applied to the two main teaching universities in Northern Ireland, St Marys (that name will come back later) and Stranmillis.
Gosh I remember my interview for both of those places and I was extremely nervous, I didn't want to let my parents down and back then, 2003, the world was a different place. I remember my mammy driving us there and I spent the entire time thinking, "If I don't get this, what else am I going to do? My life is over"...
1) Dramatic teenager
2) How very Dawson's creek of me
3) Teenagers are put under so much pressure, especially back then
Anway, I didn't get accepted to either of those places and I was devastated. I went on to do Zoology and I thought, something will work out.... here I am typing this on my 15th year as highly experienced primary school teacher and senior leader. I have taught EYFS (F2), Year 1 and Year 2, I was EYFS Leader for 10 yesrs, led phonics, literacy, ICT, Forest Schools and had some experience leading maths. Oh I have also successfully ran my Mr Mc social media since 2016, spoke at education conferences all over the UK and even internationally.
Not bad for someone who got turned away when they were 18, right?!
More on that journey in another blog post!
A bit more about me...
I am extremly passionate about wellbeing, having brought myself back from burn out and depression.
When we went into the first lockdown, during the 2020 covid pandemic, I had hit rock bottom. At that point
in time I was 23 stone, my self esteem was extremely low and I had lost all confidence in my role as a teacher and
senior leader (even though I look back now and can see that I was doing a good job). One day during the lockdown
I saw an advert on Instagram from an online coach looking for 10 guys who wanted to loose weight and change their life, I thought, why not?! Fast forward and that coach, Keegan, has changed my life. I have lost over 55kg,
have a work life balance, my self worth has improved massively, confidence is bright, I believe in my self...
I am still on my journey with Keegan... we are working now on getting me some muscles haha oh and helping me
reach for the stars with my career dreams.... Keegan, you saved me!
Oh and I went from wearing one of those knee supports as my knees killed me every day at school and I used to get the lift in my building as the stairs hurt me some days and I was extremely out of breath.... to running the Leicester half marathon in 2022, Edinburgh full marathon 2023, the Lurig Mountain challenge run 2023 & 2024 and the MacTuff 10 mile mud run in 2024!!!! The 2020 version of me got a hug those days.
Since 2021 I have started to speak at teacher conferences, nursery training days, online webinars, wellbeing events as a key note speaker and in 2024 my friend Alexandra and I put on our on teacher / Nursery practitioner conference in Manchester for over 100 delegates. Named, Joyful Beginnings we looked at inspiring everyone
to provide the best for the children they teach, putting joy into early years!
As an Early Years teacher, one of my biggest passions is planning and setting out impactful classroom contineous provision!! Provision that is open ended, some slight enhancing here and there and inspires the chidlren to be curious!
What to Expect
Now that you have a glimpse into who I am, let’s discuss what you can expect from my blog. I will share content aligned with my passions, hobbies, and interests—after all, this is a space for exploration and discovery!
Teaching adventures - the packed and busy world of teaching.
Teaching ideas: sharing all my quirky and helpful ideas that I have used that will help you keep on track in the classroom and save you time.
Well being tips and my journey: sharing tips and habits that I have learnt and implemented that have helped me change my life.
.......and MUCH MORE!!!
Building a Community
I want this blog to be more than just my thoughts—it's a platform for building a community. I invite you to engage with me through comments, questions, and sharing your stories too! Together, we can create a supportive space where ideas flourish and knowledge is exchanged.
Your feedback is crucial to how this blog evolves. I’m eager to respond to your interests and queries, ensuring the content resonates with what you seek. This journey will be a dialogue, enriching all of us.
Why This Blog?
You might wonder, why start this blog now? The answer is simple: the world is full of connections waiting to be made. In a time when encouragement is often needed, sharing experiences can foster understanding and empathy.
Moreover, blogging provides an opportunity for me to refine my writing skills and evolve as a creator. I want the content you read here to be authentic and relatable, making it easier for you to engage with it.
Thanks for Stopping By!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey! I’m genuinely excited to share this space with you. Expect personal stories, tips, and reflections as we dive into life’s joys and challenges together.
Make sure to check back often and feel free to reach out with your thoughts, ideas, and stories. Your participation means the world to me! Here’s to the beginning of an incredible adventure together. Let’s explore!
Please feel free to share, comment, and let me know what you’re looking forward to in this space. Together, we’ll nurture a community filled with enthusiasm and inspiration. Cheers to new beginnings!
Mr MC
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