SNA Courses

Thursday 2nd October 4pm: Getting back into the Garden - How to get started with school growing and how to find your way through the summer overgrowth. 

Thursday 6th November 4pm: Autumn Planting - It’s time to sow: Onions and Garlic. Preparing your garden for overwintering.

Thursday 5th March 4pm: Preparing for Spring - Checking in on Onions and Garlic. It’s time to sow: Peas, Broad Beans and Potatoes.

Thursday 9th April 4pm: Spring Sowings - It’s time to sow: Salad Leaves, Parsnip and Radish.

Thursday 7th May 4pm: Sharing Stories - Celebrating harvests simply at school. It's time to sow: Carrots, Beetroot, Chard and Pumpkins. It's time to Harvest: Salad Leaves and radish.

Thursday 4th June 4pm: Preparing for Summer - It’s time to sow: Swede (Parsnips). It’s time to transplant: Pumpkins. It’s time to harvest: Potatoes, Peas and Beans.

In a busy term, SNAs often forget their own needs. This session encourages nourishment from the inside out—exploring rest, boundaries, hydration, movement, and emotional care.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn strategies to support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
• Reflect on personal boundaries and their importance in professional settings.

•          Develop a self-care plan tailored to the school term.

• Identify strategies to build a hopeful and positive classroom culture.

Facilitator: Magdalena Landziak

Magdalena has over 8 years of experience working as a Special Needs Assistant in a primary school in Co. Limerick, supporting children with additional needs. She is the Editor and Publisher of AMYGDALA – the First National Magazine for SNAs. Magdalena graduated from UCD after completing the National Training Programme for SNAs and earning a Certificate in Inclusive School Support. With a teaching background from Poland, she expanded her expertise by graduating in May 2024 from Trinity College Dublin with a Postgraduate Level 9 qualification in 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Recently, she completed her Master's in Inclusive Education and SEN and is awaiting the results. Magdalena is running an Instagram page called @sna_zone where she provides valuable resources for SNAs and educators. Magdalena is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow SNAs. She is deeply passionate about advocating for children's rights every day and embraces everything about inclusive education.

For Primary and Post Primary Teachers and SNAs.

What will I learn?

• What is assistive technology (AT).
• Advice on students using the computer well to make best use of Assistive Technology.
• To use literacy support software for students with language difficulties
• About thesaurus, vocabulary lists, picture dictionaries and other tools to enhance vocabulary.
• About using mindmaps for more visual student to: 

• plan their written work – essays, projects etc.
• make their notes, study and revise.
• teach these students with more visual materials

• About features in iPads and on Windows to support need of students who are deaf/hard of hearing
• About students using assisted listening systems in the classroom and tips for teachers/SNAs on same.
• About DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) and HEAR (Higher Education Access Route)

A link to access the course will be emailed to you prior to the course.

Wellbeing is multidimensional. This session introduces the 12 Pillars of Wellbeing framework—supporting participants to explore and strengthen key areas of life that impact both personal fulfilment and professional performance.

This session will cover:

• The 5 primary and 7 secondary pillars of wellbeing
• Recognising imbalance and energy drains
• Building a more energised and meaningful life
• Learning Outcomes:
  The programme will help participants:
• Gain insight into their current wellbeing profile across 12 key areas
• Identify areas of strength and opportunity to thrive inside and outside the classroom
• Apply practical strategies to boost energy, fulfilment, and classroom effectiveness

What will I learn?

• What is assistive technology (AT).
• Advice on students using the computer well to make best use of Assistive Technology.
• About touch-typing resources for different hand functions and alternative keyboard and mouse control.
• About free adjustments that can be made to iPad and Windows to suit different physical abilities
• About Dragon Naturally Speaking – you speak and it types what you say.
• About free reading features/programs on the iPad and for Windows
• How to get access to electronic learning materials and texts to lighten the school bag and to improve access to the texts.
• About a variety of alternative text input options.
• About DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) and HEAR (Higher Education Access Route).

A link to access the course will be emailed to you prior to the course.

Assertiveness is a life skill that helps children express themselves with clarity and respect without becoming aggressive or staying silent.

When children learn to be assertive, they are more likely to:

Communicate clearly and respectfully.

Stand up to unkind behaviour without escalating conflict.

Make healthy friendships based on mutual respect.

Resist peer pressure and stay true to their values.

Develop stronger self-esteem and emotional resilience

The festive season can bring exhaustion. Learn how to remain calm and grounded through mindfulness, breathwork, and stress-reduction techniques during this demanding time.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how stress affects the nervous system.
• Practise calming strategies like deep breathing and grounding.
• Create a mini “calm plan” for managing end-of-term stress.

Facilitator: Magdalena Landziak

Magdalena has over 8 years of experience working as a Special Needs Assistant in a primary school in Co. Limerick, supporting children with additional needs. She is the Editor and Publisher of AMYGDALA – the First National Magazine for SNAs. Magdalena graduated from UCD after completing the National Training Programme for SNAs and earning a Certificate in Inclusive School Support. With a teaching background from Poland, she expanded her expertise by graduating in May 2024 from Trinity College Dublin with a Postgraduate Level 9 qualification in 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Recently, she completed her Master's in Inclusive Education and SEN and is awaiting the results. Magdalena is running an Instagram page called @sna_zone where she provides valuable resources for SNAs and educators. Magdalena is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow SNAs. She is deeply passionate about advocating for children's rights every day and embraces everything about inclusive education.

This restorative session offers a much-needed pause before the busy festive season. Through guided practices and reflection, participants will reconnect with themselves and cultivate a sense of peace.

This session will cover:

• Reflection on the year’s wins and challenges
• Grounding and breathing exercises
• Letting go of stress before the break

Learning Outcomes:

• Reconnect with their inner calm and values before the holiday season
• Create space for self-renewal amid school and seasonal pressures
• Leave with practices to bring greater ease to themselves and their students