Synergy Lifelong Learning is a special education training company directed by Mairéad McHale. Mairead and team have now opened their classes to learners in the midlands offering QQI level 5 and QQI Level 6 SNA training in Athlone.
“One course can change your life and lead you on a wonderful and fulfilling journey!”
The Synergy Lifelong Learning team are passionate about adult education. “Adult education extends beyond employment and labour market outcomes” says Mairéad. She goes on to say that “while the majority of our past course participants have successfully gained employment as SNAs, the social impact of adult education has been enormously beneficial to them. Our learners gain so much confidence from the rich and supporting learning environment and from participating and collaborating as part of a group”.
Synergy Lifelong Learning courses are learner-centred and classes are based on active participation and open discussion. The Synergy SNA courses go far beyond the remit of the QQI learning outcomes. Mairéad explains that “adult education can be hugely transformative. As facilitators, we collaborate with the learners to interrogate issues of inequality in society. We help learners to develop a deep critical awareness of disability discrimination and educational inequality. We believe that collaborative, critical adult education has the power to transform individuals and change society for the better. This is extremely important when working with pupils with physical, emotional, social, sensory and learning differences”.
Many of the learners that partake in Synergy’s SNA training courses are returning to learning after many years out of education. Mairéad explains that “there is an enormous amount of fear. Most are women who have worked in the home for several years or want to change career path. The majority arrive on the first day fearing they will not have the ability to complete the assessment requirements. This fear often stems from disempowering experience from their school days”.
“Adult education is different, everyone collaborates and learns from each other and, as adults, bring a wealth of experience to each class. We work through the fears and students are supported right throughout the course with their assignment work. Everyone makes it through. The sense of achievement and success is the best part. In addition, many catch the ‘learning bug’ and go on to further their education enrolling on other further education and university courses”.
“I would say to any adult thinking about returning to education to go ahead and do it” says Mairéad. Mairéad herself returned to education in 2006 completing a SNA level 5 course after 18 years away from formal education. She then continued her learning journey gaining a BA, teaching qualification, various postgraduate courses and a masters in education. As Mairéad put it, “One course can change your life and lead you on a wonderful and fulfilling journey!”
Synergy Lifelong Learning SNA courses commence at The Creggan Court Hotel Athlone on 08 September and will be facilitated by Louise Mooney who is a highly experienced adult educator with a wealth of knowledge in the area of autism, emotional and sensory difficulties. The course takes place one morning per week for 14 weeks. The SNA level 5 (Tuesday mornings ) is open to all adults. To partake in the level 6 course (Thursday mornings ), participants must have completed a QQI level 5 or higher course (in any field of study ).
For more information on the Synergy Lifelong Learning SNA courses, visit the website: www.synergylifelonglearning.ie or email [email protected]
