Leanne
Connolly
Primary Department
School of Inclusive & Special Education
Role
Academic Staff
Phone number:
01 700
9058
Email Address
leanne.connolly@dcu.ie
Campus
St Patrick's Campus
Room Number
F310
Academic biography
Leanne is a qualified Primary School teacher and for many years worked in a Special School, primarily with students on the Autism Spectrum with a Mild Intellectual Disability. Having supported students from age 4-19 years of age, with a range of co-morbidities, Leanne gained significant experience in using a range of autism specific teaching approaches and behavioural interventions. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Autism with St. Angela’s College Sligo in 2012 and completed her Masters in Special Educational Needs in Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2016. Through the Masters research, Leanne examined the impact of exercise on reducing off task behaviours which showed very positive results.
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.
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.
Leanne has also lectured on the Cert/Diploma in Autism Studies with ACE in UCC, specifically in areas of Autism and Daily Living, Sensory Needs, Employment, Education and Person Centred Planning/ Positive Behaviour Supports. Leanne is interested in pursuing research in the area of Autism and Employment. Leanne lectures on the GCEAS, GDILS and MEdA programmes in DCU and coordinates the Education of pupils on the Autism Spectrum Elective on the GDILS.
Leanne is currently studying for her PhD with DCU IOE School of Human Development. Her area of study relates to transition preparation and transition planning for students in Special Schools in Ireland and the role of class teachers in this regard.
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.