SENCO Support Forum

The SENCO Forum Primary Community of Practice (CoP) aims to bring together a network of Principals, D. Principals, SEN Co-ordinators and Special Education teachers working in Limerick Primary schools. The network is well established in Clare and Kerry and now Margaret Egan aims to provide professional learning, support and networking opportunities for teachers in Limerick. Margaret Egan will facilitate the Limerick Network and will support its development over time. If you are a Principal, D. Principal, SEN Co-ordinator, Special Education Teacher, Special Class Teacher in a primary or special school in Limerick City/County and would like to engage in the network, please join us on Wednesday 25^th November.

Dr. Margaret Egan is a Lecturer in the Dept. of Educational Psychology, Inclusive and Special Education at Mary Immaculate College.  She was a Deputy Principal and SEN Co-ordinator for many years before joining the Faculty of Education at MIC.  Margaret is Course Leader of the Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education, which is a cross-sectoral, Level 9 programme for qualified teachers in practice.  She teaches at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Margaret is actively engaged in Communities of Practice with a number of schools.  Her interests are in Inclusion Policy and Practice; Language and Literacy for students with additional needs; Social and Emotional Learning, for all students, including those with Autistic Spectrum Difference (ASD) and Positive Behaviour Support for students with attention and behaviour needs.

The First session on Wednesday Nov.25^th includes a presentation from Maria Geaney who is a SENCO and Deputy Principal in Scoil Seanáin Naofa, Clonlara, Co. Clare. Maria is an active member of the Clare SENCO Forum Primary CoP for the past year.  She is a Special Education Teacher and completed the Graduate Diploma in Special Education in Mary Immaculate College in 2018. 

This presentation outlines the complex role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator at primary level. It offers some clarity on what a whole school systematic approach to meeting the needs of children with SEN entails and explores the challenges that SENCOs face in these unprecedented times. Those who attend will also gain useful tips, tricks and resources to help with the administration side of the role of SENCO.

Chairperson of the SENCO Community of Practice is Barry Morrissey

Biography

Barry Morrissey is Principal Teacher of the Limerick School Project. Formerly an Advisor with the Professional Development Service for Teachers, Barry has a strong interest in inclusive and special education. He has published research on behaviour management, leadership for inclusion and SEN policy & practice in a number of peer-reviewed national and international journals. He has a strong interest in the social side of learning and promoting restorative approaches to dealing with challenging behaviour.