The SENCO Forum aims to continue to bring together online a network of teachers working in inclusive/special education in Kerry Primary schools. The network aims to provide professional learning, support and networking opportunities for teachers. Margaret Egan will facilitate the network and will support its development over time. If you are a Principal, Special Education Teacher, Special Class Teacher or SEN Co-Ordinator in a primary school in Kerry and would like to engage in the network, please join us.

The fourth meeting of the SENCO CoP will focus on Bridge Back to School for All with a focus on Children with ASD

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. Margaret is currently supervising a number of Master and PhD students in these fields. Two of her doctoral students, in Educational Psychology (DEPsych), graduated in October 2019.

Maria Dervan (B.Ed M.Ed) has experience working as a mainstream teacher, SET and special class teacher. She has worked as both an Advisor and an Associate with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) since 2014. She completed a Master’s in Special Education in MIC in 2015 and has worked with Department of Educational Psychology, Inclusive and Special Education since then. She is currently undertaking a PhD within the department under the supervision of Dr. Margaret Egan and Professor Emer Ring. She has won many awards for her research to date including a bursary from the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) to pursue the research. She has presented and had her research published nationally.  She has a keen interest in language development, Autism Spectrum Difference (ASD), Inclusion and Special Education and using evidence-based practices in teaching which has been the focus of her research to date.

Bridge Back to School

Bridge Back to School is the result of a team collaboration between Mary Immaculate College and AsIAm autism charity. Maria Dervan, as Editor, will take the CoP through the book, which is designed as a learning resource toolkit to support autistic students in their return to school.  From the outset, the resource introduces a gender-neutral character, Alex who students may self-identify with throughout. The toolkit is underpinned by evidence-based research. It provides advice, support and activities, which are focused on the identified needs of autistic students. It also shares top tips with professionals who are supporting student transition back to school and indeed, engaging their strengths to address needs, throughout the year. It has sample activity worksheets and QR codes that can be scanned to bring the reader to additional supports and references available on the AsIAm website. The booklet is sponsored by SuperValu and is free in stores throughout the country.

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