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Nursing Studies & Healthcare Support

Claire teaches in the Nursing Studies and Health Care Support Programmes. She is a practicing Registered Nurse with a background in aged care, mental health, palliative care and community nursing. Claire has a Bachelor of Nursing Degree and post graduate certificates in dementia care, palliative care, immunisation and cardiovascular disease management. Claire believes that ongoing education is essential for anyone employed in the healthcare setting.

Claire Lakeman, Nursing Studies & Healthcare Support Lecturer

Ger has over 15 years experience in designing and delivering management and personal development programmes.  She spent 10 years working in the Finance Industry in the UK; she worked her way through the ranks to become the Human Resources Director of the UCB Group.  In recent years she specialised in the Health Care sector where she feels more at home!  Ger is a NIFASR and QUALTEC accredited Manual and People Handling Instructor.  She is also a FETAC tutor.  In addition, Ger works with various Nursing Homes developing programmes to enable them to continuously improve standards of care.  

Ger Cleary, Nursing Studies & Healthcare Course Coordinator & Lecturer

Montessori Teaching

Mary Anderson has over 25 years experience working as a Montessori teacher.  Mary started her Montessori teacher training in 1980 and after four years she qualified with a Diploma in Montessori Teaching (children aged 2 1/2 years – 12 years) from St. Nicholas Montessori Society. She has also completed a First-Aid course with the St. John Ambulance Brigade Society.  She did further training at St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College where she obtained a Certificate from the ‘Association for Children & Adults with Learning Disabilities (incorporating the Dyslexic Association, Ireland)’.  Mary has also completed a ‘Special Needs Assistant Course’, a ‘Train the Trainer’ course and ‘An Advanced Supervision in Childcare course (Level 6 Major Award)Mary brings a wealth of practical experience to her teaching practice.  She lectures in the Montessori Method of Education.

Mary Anderson, Montessori Tutor

Childcare Studies

Shawna Murray completed her Degree specialising in Early Childhood followed by her Masters in Adult Education and Training at the start of her career over 10 years ago. She has since had a variety of positions caring for and teaching babies, children, adolescents and adults. Shawna has been fortunate to work in a child care setting at all levels up to management, as a primary school teacher and a lecturer both in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has worked with students of various abilities and very much enjoys working with those who have a genuine interest in working with young children. Shawna believes that the future for child care practitioners is optimistic and she looks forward to sharing her experiences and innovative teaching with future students at Dorset College.

Shawna Murray, Childcare Lecturer

Sinead commenced her Childcare career in 2002 having studied Montessori Teaching & Childcare. Sinead has a vast amount of experience in the Childcare and Early Education sector. She has worked as a Childcare Worker with 0-6 year olds, as an After-School Worker, and a Montessori teacher. Sinead also gained a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology in 2008. Sinead combines her experience and theoretical knowledge for her classes at Dorset College. Sinead is currently employed by one of Irelands leading charities that offer Child & Family Services. She is based in one of their Early Childhood Development Centres.

Sinead Hickey, Childcare Lecturer

Laura is an knowledgeable Montessori and Childcare professional with over eight years experience working with pre-school children, she holds qualifications in Montessori, Childcare, Childcare Management, Afterschool Care and Training Adult Learners.  Laura owns and runs a very successful Montessori school in Clontarf bringing her wealth of experience and practical knowledge to the students.

Laura Murphy, Childcare Lecturer

Child Protection Awareness Training

Emma Donnelly holds a Higher Diploma in Psychology from University College Dublin and an MSc in Forensic Psychology from the University of Portsmouth, UK.  She has experience in facilitating offending behaviour programmes with an extensive mix of convicted sexual and violent adult male offenders helping them identify and reduce their dynamic risks to re-offending and mapping their progress during and after their incarceration.  Emma also has experience of working with young people in both secure and open residential centres, adults with acquired brain injury, and victims of sexual abuse.  She has experience working within academic and research environments.  She is a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society and is affiliated with the International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology.  Emma’s research interests lie in Sexual Offending, Juvenile Offending, Personality Disorders & Offending, Decision Making and Problem Solving among Offenders, False Confessions in Police Interviews, Intimate Partner Homicide and Jury Decision Making.

Emma Donnelly, Child Protection Tutor