SNA Community of Practice
Limerick ESC would like to set up a Community of Practice to support SNAs in their work.
Magdalena Landziak will be the facilitator. Magda has provided many popular evening webinars for Limerick ESC and she would now like to set up a regular professional space for SNAs to meet, share experiences, reflect on their work and learn from colleagues. Rather than focusing solely on formal training, the sessions will allow participants to bring real situations from their schools, explore challenges together and identify practical approaches that can support both students and staff.
The emphasis will be on connection, professional reflection, shared learning and sustainable practice.
We are not coming together because somebody has all the answers. We are coming together because collectively we have experience, questions, ideas and knowledge worth sharing.
In order to plan this CoP, please fill in this link: SNA Community of Practice Survey
Proposed Themes:
|
Month |
Theme |
Focus |
|
October |
Relationships Before Strategies |
Building trust with students, working alongside teachers, communication within the school team and understanding behaviour through relationships. |
|
November |
When Behaviour Communicates a Need |
Looking beyond behaviour, identifying patterns, triggers, unmet needs, regulation and discussing situations that participants are currently experiencing. |
|
December |
What Is Working? |
Reflecting on the first term, recognising progress, sharing successful strategies and identifying approaches that may need to change. |
|
January |
Reset, Reconnect and Reorganise |
Returning after the Christmas break, resetting routines, supporting transitions and deciding what to continue, stop or change. |
|
February |
Helping Without Creating Dependence |
Promoting independence, knowing when to step forward and when to step back, prompting hierarchies and avoiding over-support. |
|
March |
When Strategies Don't Work |
Exploring why strategies sometimes fail, timing, consistency, environment, distress levels and adapting support rather than simply trying more strategies. |
|
April |
The SNA as Part of a Team |
SNA–teacher partnerships, difficult conversations, communication, professional boundaries and shared responsibility for inclusion. |
|
May |
Looking After the Person Behind the Role |
Emotional fatigue, stress, regulation, reflection, recognising what is and is not yours to carry and protecting professional wellbeing. |
|
June |
Looking Back, Looking Forward |
Celebrating progress, reflecting on the year, transitions, endings, lessons learned and identifying priorities for the following school year. |
Facilitator: Magdalena Landziak
Magdalena is an advocate for special and inclusive education and an experienced SNA, with over 10 years of experience supporting children with additional needs in primary school setting. She works as a tutor delivering QQI Level 6 SNA courses and provides CPD training for various Education Centres across Ireland. Recognising the need for ongoing, tailored support for SNAs, Magdalena founded SNA Academy to deliver practical, research-informed training and resources.
She is also the Editor of AMYGDALA - the First National Magazine for SNAs, sharing insights, strategies, and inspiration to enhance inclusive practice in schools.
Recently, she launched her own podcast, From the Bottom of My Heart, creating a space for meaningful conversations, inspiring stories and diverse perspectives on education, inclusion, wellbeing and life experiences.
Magdalena holds a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education and SEN, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate (level 9) in 21st Century Teaching and Learning from Trinity College Dublin. She is passionate about supporting children with additional needs and equally dedicated to sharing her knowledge, experience and practical strategies with SNAs and educators to promote meaningful inclusion and strengthen everyday practice. Through her social media platform, @sna_zone, she shares practical strategies, educational resources, professional insights and inspiration to support SNAs and educators in their everyday practice.