John Carr, general secretary, INTO

Where did you go to school?

My local school, Derryhassen NS in Downings, Co Donegal, and then to Coláiste Einde in Galway. It was a preparatory college for primary teachers back then, but we were the first of the "non-preps" and had to face open competition to get into St Pat's. All of our gang made it though.

Were you cool or were you one of the nerdy kids?

Cool in primary school. Along with Paddy Bradley we organised bazaars, plays, concerts, dances. You name it, we'd try it. I was much quieter in second level school, but later on, in college, got back to being an organiser.

Give us an extract of a school report

Didn't have them in primary school and didn't pay any attention to them in second level. Those were the days.

Who was your favourite teacher in primary school? Why?

Micheal McGee - I was both a pupil and later a student teacher in his class. He was very fair, gave us enough rope . . . and yes we frequently did.

How about secondary school? Anyone who you liked/inspired you? Why?

Mr O'Shea - affectionately known as Keg, who taught science. Unlike most other teachers at the time, he treated us as young adults, and was not afraid to give out about the other teachers either!

Did you have a nickname?

Not that I can remember. (honestly!)

What was the first music album you bought?

Probably Aftermath by The Rolling Stones. In my earlier days I doubled as a DJ and so had a reason to build up a good stock of albums, many by performers who took to the stage at Woodstock in 1969. I sort of remember being there which is probably the best anyone who was really there can say!

What's on your iPod now?

Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen and Eric "Slowhand" Clapton. No prizes for guessing who will be at their summer gigs this year in Dublin.

Who would play you in a movie of your younger days?

Robin Williams would make me look good, I'm sure. He played a teacher in Dead Poets Society and a DJ in Good Morning Vietnam. I did both jobs as well but never earned the money he did.

What posters did you have on your bedroom wall?

The one picture that stands out is of the Manchester United team around the time of the Busby Babes. To call it a poster would be to gild the lily a bit!

Who was your first crush?

Fellow pupil in Irish dancing lessons in primary school - she knows who she is!

What did you study in college?

Primary Education in St Patrick's College in Drumcondra in the 1960s and again in the 1980s. I have very fond memories of the place and the people.

Regrets? Have you had a few?

Too few to mention or that I care to remember at this stage!

• John Carr is General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation