Mary Connell N.T. H/Dip Education  
Literacy Teacher at Sensational Kids

Degree in Primary Education, Victoria University, Manchester 1969
Certification in Primary Education (National Teacher), Department of  Education, Dublin 1973
Diploma Montessori Education, St Nicholas Teaching College, Dun Laoghaire 1982

Professional Qualifications

Other Certificate Courses and Professional Development
Diploma in Learning Support, COI Teacher Training College, Rathmines, 1995
Certificate in Dyslexia Support, Dyslexic Ass. of Ireland, 1996
Handwriting without Tears, Advanced Teachers Level, 2010
The Traffic Jam in my Brain – a sensory processing approach to challenges associated with autism, ADHD and behavioural problems, presented by Gen Jereb OT 2010
Kids Express Train, training kids to express themselves presented by Rachel Arntsen, Speech & language Therapist 2009

Profile
Originally from Athenry, Co Galway, Mary qualified as a primary teacher at Manchester University in 1969. After which, she worked for a number of years at a primary school in Salford in Lancashire. Following Irish certification with the Irish Department of Education, Mary worked as a National School Teacher in a rural national school in Co.Laois. Mary also qualified in the Montessori method of Education in 1982.

In 1993, Mary was appointed as a full time learning support teacher for four National Schools in the Laois area. During this time, Mary undertook a number of additional qualifications in dyslexia and learning support.

In 2002, Mary set up in private practice establishing a literacy school in Portlaoise. Mary’s school, the Bright Sparks Learning Centre, has grown from strength to strength and currently employs six part time teachers and has over 60 students.

Mary has been working as a literacy teacher with Sensational Kids since 2009.

Mary has also developed and written a series of books to assist in early reading which will be published shortly and will form part of her new reading workshops for parents and educators.