It was a bittersweet day for the Deele College community in Raphoe on Friday afternoon last, as they said farewell to well-known and hugely popular maths teacher, Mr Paddy Flood.
A true Dubliner, Paddy has been an integral member of the teaching staff in Deele College for 34 years and he has left quite an impression during his tenure in the school.
A renowned mathematics teacher, Paddy was always on hand to help students in any way he could.
During his retirement function, it was noted how he was always the first to arrive in the school and always the last to leave.
He taught Applied Maths before school started and he often stayed behind to help his Leaving Cert classes with Higher Level exams. He did all of this in a voluntary capacity and will be remembered by all his students for his willingness to help them achieve their potential.
Mr Flood began his career in his native Dublin but the love of a Donegal woman was enough to take him north to Donegal, where he became such a valued member of not only Deele College, but the St Eunan’s GAA Club and indeed Donegal Hurling.
Staff members were keen to express their thanks to Paddy for all his help as a TUI Union Rep, where he helped young teachers beginning their teaching careers and to anyone who needed his expert knowledge over the the years.
Principal, Mr Joe Boyle paid tribute to Mr Flood, telling the assembled gathering that there were many evenings when he locked the door after six and the alarm would go off, which meant that it could only be Mr Flood still explaining an equation to his 6th years.
He said that his dedication and diligence would never be forgotten by the many cohorts he had taken through to Leaving Cert.
Deputy Principal, Ms Carmel Mulligan said that Mr Flood’s reputation as a Maths teacher was second to none.
He was known throughout the county and indeed nationally for his work in the subject. She also noted that Paddy was not fond of paper work, plans or schemes of work but that he could enter any classroom and deliver an exceptional lesson.
She said that when she thought of Paddy, she always thought of the old saying, “a truly great teacher is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget.” She added that it was a line that was simply made for Paddy.
The staff at Deele College would like to wish him all the best in his retirement.
And while the staff won’t miss the smell of burnt toast in the afternoon, his presence will be missed throughout the school!
