Date: 9 April 2025

Time: 7pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Suitable for Primary and Post-Primary Teachers

Listeners & Learners – Addressing Agency

Research has built a strong case for the development and facilitation of learner agency in the daily life of the classroom. Benefits include significant increases in confidence, self-esteem and academic performance. Learner Agency is referenced in curriculum and policy documents and has been framed as necessary for heightened engagement and consequently learning (N.C.C.A., 2023). Yet although the term is indeed a familiar one to us, our understanding of the concept of learner agency and the way it is facilitated in our practice merits further exploration.

Changing from traditional styles of teaching and learning to hear and facilitate the voice of the learner, demands a change in pedagogy (Bushati, 2018). This webinar series will offer a reflective space to develop an understanding of learner agency and provide practical strategies to facilitate it in within the learning environment.

Webinar 3 – Amplifying Agency

• Mindsets & Milestones
• A guest panel will discuss how to encourage a mindset shift towards agency in the classroom and the wider school community

Facilitator: Michelle Furlong (B.A., H.Dip., M.Ed)

Shelly Furlong is an experienced primary school teacher with a strong background in leading professional development and educational learning initiatives. Her research focuses on learner agency, where she explores and develops practical strategies to enhance classroom practice with a particular emphasis on empowering students and fostering their independent learning. Her commitment to advance teaching practices and improve educational outcomes continues to shape her approach to teaching and professional development.

Guest Speakers: 

Catherine Sheridan

Catherine Sheridan is a multifaceted arts professional, serving as a facilitator, director, playwright, actor, drama lecturer, producer, project manager, arts consultant, and mentor. With a diverse background in drama, theatre, and arts education, she is recognized for creating and implementing innovative programmes that inspire young minds and foster artistic growth for nearly three decades. Catherine plays a pivotal role in various Creative Ireland Creative Youth initiatives, including TAP, BLAST, and I Am Creative. Catherine is also the founder and Artistic Director of Roscommon County Youth Theatre and serves as a mentor for Youth Theatre Ireland’s Drama Facilitation programme. She has directed an impressive 46 productions. Throughout her career, Catherine has collaborated with numerous esteemed organisations and educational institutions, including Mary Immaculate College, UL, NUI Galway, The Arts Council, the Department of Education and Skills, Youth Theatre Ireland, various Local Authorities, the ESCI Network, Drama League of Ireland, Calipo Picture & Film Company, The Abbey Theatre, Branar, Blue Teapot, Galway Community Circus, and Baboró International Arts Festival. Catherine has trained in the USA with Anne Bogart and the SITI Theatre Company in Viewpoints and Suzuki techniques, in Russia with the Theatre Union of the Russian Federation in Moscow, as well as participating in numerous masterclasses with theatre professionals across England, Ireland, and Scotland. She holds a Master's degree in Drama and Performance from University College Dublin and a Diploma in Drama, Arts, and Theatre Studies from Maynooth University.

Dr. Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald

Mother of four, Dr. Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald has been working in the field of education for 32 years. She has taught in Japan, Switzerland, France, Saudi Arabi and most recently, served as Teaching Principal of DCU Changemaker School, Eglish Primary School in Galway, Ireland. Passionate about helping all young people develop their communication and public speaking skills, Author of the book ‘Listen. How Child and Student Voice can Change the World’, Siobhán is also the Creator of the ‘LET’s Stand’ Oral Language, Public Speaking Programme for young people (aged 5-18). Siobhán completed her Doctoral Thesis in 2022 with the University of Lincoln, UK, on the topic of ‘Public Speaking in Primary Schools’. Through enabling students to find and use their own voice, Siobhán’s vision is to empower students from all backgrounds to share their stories, become ‘Changemakers’ and the best version of themselves. Siobhán is the recipient of the 2017 IPPN Leadership award.

Please Note: A zoom registration link will be issued to your email address on the morning of the course. Please check your email and spam folder as you must register on zoom to attend.