Leanne worked as an Associate with Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) on the Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LP) team for a number of years having been one of the early schools to adopt the L2LP. In 2016, Leanne was seconded to the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Ireland's largest single support service offering professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Leanne first joined the PDST Health & Wellbeing Team as an Advisor and was subsequently appointed Team Leader in June 2017. Leanne has since led a team of Advisors and Associates across Primary and Post-Primary in the area of SPHE, Wellbeing, Child Protection, Anti-Bullying as well as the new Leaving Certificate and Senior Cycle PE programmes. Leanne sat on various interagency committees and national steering groups for Wellbeing and Physical Education.
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Connolly, Leanne (2023) 'Key Policies and Legislation Underpinning Post-School Transition Practices for People with Disabilities in the Republic of Ireland'. International Journal of Educational and Life Transitions, 2 (1). [Link] https://doi.org/10.5334/ijelt.42 | |
| 2023 | Rice, C., Kenny, N., Connolly, L. (2023) 'Exploring the Attitudes of School Staff towards the Role of Autism Classes in Inclusive Education for Autistic Students: A Qualitative Study in Irish Primary Schools'. Education Sciences, 13 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13090889 |
Education
Research Interests
Leanne's research interests are currently focused on the topic of her ongoing PhD studies; Transition from special schools for students with intellectual disabilities in Ireland. Leanne is engaging in a mixed method multi-phase study which aims to raise the post school aspirations of students and their key stakeholders.
Leanne's other research interests are the implementation of RSE in special schools in Ireland, particularly to those with moderate, severe/profound intellectual disabilities.
Teaching Interests
Leanne's teaching interests include autism, special education and inclusion, relationship and sexuality education & SPHE, Child Protection.
Leanne supports teachers on the Graduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education (GDISE) in a range of areas including Moderate General Learning Disabilities, Teaching Practice, Relationship & Sexuality Education.
Leanne contributes to the two Autism programmes in DCU, the Graduate Certificate in Education of Pupils on the Autism Spectrum (GCEAS) and the Masters in Education in Autism (MEdA). The particular focus on Leanne's input is teaching and learning approaches, evidence based practices, profiling and planning.
The Induction Course for Teachers of Learners with Severe/Profound General Learning Disabilities is a unique course in that DCU is the only national provider of this fully funded DES course. Leanne contributes to this course in working with SNA's, Autism, Child Protection and RSE, Inclusive Curriculum.