Weel duin tae Danielle McNulty wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Teacher o the Year sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority in the Scots Language Awards. Vote now!
The Scots Language Awards are in the Cumnock Toon Ha, Cumnock in pairtnership wi East Ayrshire Cooncil on 14th September at 7pm. Tickets fir the ceremony are available tae buy here: https://eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/.
We askit Danielle McNulty o Danielle McNulty thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Hello! Ah'm Danielle. Ah'm the Principal Teacher at New Cumnock Primary School, whaur Ah've been for 13 year noo. A big part o' mah role is developin' an' sustainin' community partnerships, somethin' ah tak' great pride in. Oor school has strong links wi' local an' regional Burns clubs, an' these are a braw support tae us as we celebrate an' develop our wark on Scots Language in schuil. Ah absolutely love ma job an' the positive impact Ah can mak' in the lives o' the wee ones Ah work wi.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
Ah wis inspired by adults that helped me as a wean tae grow ma 'mither tongue'. Ah tak pride in teachin' this knowledge tae the bairns I look after. Ah've worked wi' kids at a' stages o' Primary School, an' even those that’ve left us an' moved on tae Secondary School, helpin' them grow their skills in Scots Language through recitin', singin', an' playin' instruments wi’ mony o’ them winnin’ awards an’ competin’ nationally.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
A reckon it’s important tae ken an tak pride in whaur ye come frae an no tae let that culture dee. Workin in a wee, rural, minin village, oor efforts wi Scots Language haes gien oor young uns a braw lot o opportunities an gien them the confidence they’ll carry wi them, no only through their education but intae the workin world efter their schulin.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
'Whits fur ye, willnae go by yi!'
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Aye, as cheesy as ah ken this is gaun tae sound, but the Scots speakers ah'm most inspired by are the young folk ah get tae work wi'. Ah wis wishin’ ah had the confidence n’ charisma they’ve got, some o’ them as wee as 5 year auld, when ah wis their age!
An’ by the way, ah’m a huuuge fan o' Karen Dunbar! Growin' up watchin' 'Chewin' The Fat', ah couldnae get enough o' her comic timing an' facial expressions!
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Aye, for sure! Comin’ fae a wee minin’ village like New Cumnock, Scots is aye spoken by bairns and auld folk alike.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Getting a nomination for this award is one o’ them!
On top o’ that, the last school session, BBC Scotland reached oot tae us, and invited us tae work on a Burns Project that was shown in January 2024. A’ the P7s were right proud, performin’, recordin’, and creatin' stop motion animation for 'To a Mouse'. It’s a experience they’ll no forget, and neither will I! The whole town o’ New Cumnock was glued tae the telly that night, keen tae see the bairns' faces and artwork on the big screen, alongside weel-kent Scots like James Cosmo, Dougray Scott an' Tony Curran!
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
As the summer holiday's nearin' the end, ah'm soakin' up ivvery chance tae spend time wi' ma ain two wee stoaters, Frankie an' Max.
As the new schule session’s aboot tae begin, ah'm lookin' forward tae workin' wi' the talented weans o' New Cumnock again in Scots verse speakin' and singin'. Last year, oor Burns Family nicht wis sic a huge success, bringin' in loads o' community involvement, it felt like we were at a concert! We cannae wait tae host anither wan next year tae celebrate Scots leid in aw its glory!
Read more about Danielle McNulty
http://https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/newcumnockprimaryschoolea/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/MrsDaniMcNulty
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The Scots Language Awards are in the Cumnock Toon Ha, Cumnock on 14th September at 7pm. Tickets are available to buy here: https://eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/ There wull be some grand entertainmint oan the nicht tae, includin a recital fae Billy Kay, Susie Briggs, alang wi musical performances fae Claire Hastings an Sèan Gray.
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