TEACHING the young people of the future is one of the things that motivates Ballinamallard Primary School Principal Christina McEldowney.
It is almost a year since the Dungannon born woman took up the position at the school, a job she relishes and one that leaves her with “a smile on my face every day.”
After completing her A Levels she continued her education at the University of Ulster in Coleraine. There she studied a four year BA Honours degree in primary education. 
Her first teaching post was in Cookstown Primary School before obtaining a permanent job at Dromore Road Primary School where she spent “many happy years.”
“Teaching was something I always wanted to do from a very young age, that and working with animals. Both my parents were teachers so I suppose as it was in the family that was the route in life I would take. My love for animals continues with owning pets, and our collection of cows and sheep on our small farm, so I can say I have the best of both worlds,” she said. 
After getting married, she moved to Trillick to live with her husband, before becoming the principal of Ballinamallard Primary School in January of this year, a role that she was “overjoyed” to get.
“It is a fantastic school sitting on a very large site with so many opportunities as a learning rich environment, a school with strong foundations already laid down. I was delighted at becoming part of such a great team of staff and governors. The children are wonderful and the parents so supportive. The local community pays a big role in our school as well.”
Working on a three year plan for the school, Mrs. McEldowney wants to ensure its “continued success” and will aim to “provide the best education for every pupil within our school ensuring each individual reaches their full potential in all areas of their development.”
“All pupils are encouraged to achieve the best of their potential and set themselves targets which we support them to reach. From the beginning of nursery to the end of year seven our children are taught to work together,” she said, adding that the school is now focused on developing further its participation in shared education.
ICT (information and communications technology, or technologies) plays an integral role in the teaching of all curriculum areas, she explained.
“It is a motivational teaching tool for our children and is an important skill for everyone to have, especially in the technology rich environment we all live in today. In Ballinamallard we strive to keep up to date with advances in technology and integrate it into our teaching whenever possible.”
And reading continues to be at the heart of the teaching at Ballinamallard, too. 
“The love of books and the desire to read is introduced at nursery and children are continually encouraged to embrace books throughout their time in primary school. We are always providing as much variety in reading materials as possible to our children to cater for all interests and needs.”
Mrs. McEldowney’s motivation for wanting to be a teacher is simple: “To do my best for every child in my care every day.”
“These children are the young people of the future,” she said.