Janine Corcoran
Kiltimagh,Ireland
Summary
Dedicated Special Needs Assistant with QQI Level 6 in Special Needs Assisting and Level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education. Experienced supporting Junior Infants to 18 years across Special Schools, Special Classes, and Mainstream settings, including complex needs. Skilled in managing behaviours that challenge using de-escalation, visual supports (PECS), AAC devices, ABC analysis, sensory strategies, and teamwork, and applying the P.I.L.E.S framework to tailor support for holistic development. Experienced in personal care and toileting at all levels. Supported extracurricular activities such as the Special Olympics, including external visits and bus outings. Flexible and adaptable, regularly covering multiple classes and adjusting to new environments and student needs with ease. Committed to fostering inclusive, empowering environments that promote student confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
6064
6064
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Special Needs Assistant
St Michael's Special School
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
04.2025 - 07.2025
- Supported students with complex and multiple disabilities, providing one-to-one and group assistance tailored to individual needs.
- Assisted with personal care routines, including toileting, toilet training, feeding, mobility support, and hygiene, ensuring dignity and respect at all times.
- Supported students through their learning activities by sitting with them, guiding and encouraging task completion.
- Implemented sensory regulation strategies and assisted with the use of assistive technologies, including AAC devices and PECS, to facilitate communication and learning.
- Worked closely with teachers to support IEP goals and behavioural support plans, and implemented prescribed Occupational Therapy activities.
- Supported students' social and emotional development through structured activities and positive behaviour management techniques.
- Prepared classroom schedules, visual timetables, and organised classroom materials to provide structure and predictability for students.
- Kept accurate daily records such as behaviour logs, toilet training notes, and incident reports to track progress and support planning.
- Supervised students during classroom activities, recreational breaks, and outdoor play to ensure safety and inclusion.
- Assisted students with transitions within the school environment, including moving between classes and community outings.
- Https://www.stmcr.ie/
Special Needs Assistant
Scoil Iosa Ballyhaunis National School
Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Assist in classroom preparation and organisation to ensure a structured learning environment.
- Support children with special needs in both special class and mainstream classrooms through individual and group activities aligned with their IEP's.
- Apply behavioural techniques (e.g. ABC approach) and PECS to enhance learning.
- Provide assistance with clothing, mobility, toileting, feeding, hygiene, and personal care as needed.
- Help children transition between activities, classrooms, and break times smoothly.
- Supervise and support students during bus boarding, lunch and recreational activities.
- Work collaboratively with teachers and Special Education Teachers (SET) to create an inclusive environment.
- Provide general support to class teachers with non-teaching duties.
Holistic Life Coach & Entrepreneur (Owner)
Gentle Warrior
Kiltimagh, Co Mayo
01.2016 - 12.2024
- Successfully transitioned from a corporate career to establish and grow a coaching practice, while studying early childhood education to deepen knowledge of child development and well-being.
- I coached and mentored clients to develop personal growth and emotional resilience, guided parents in mindfulness techniques to support their children's emotional health, and provided strategies to help clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Vendor and Project Manager
Electronic Arts
03.2011 - 12.2015
- Managed vendor partnerships, improved operational efficiency, and led strategic initiatives.
Global Project Manager
Regus
02.2009 - 04.2011
- Led IT and business transformation projects, developed training materials, and managed global teams.
Talent & Development Junior Project Manager
Colt Telecoms
05.2002 - 01.2009
- Coordinated corporate training programs, managed event planning and authored communication articles.
Project Coordinator
Blick S.A.
10.1993 - 04.2002
- Provided technical support, conducted pre-installation visits and delivered customer training.
Education
Special Needs Assisting Level 6 -
GRETB
IrelandQQI Level 5 Early Childhood and Care Education -
GRETB
IrelandCreative Mindfulness Kids Practitioner -
Creative Mindfulness
IrelandLeaving Certification - undefined
Edgemead High School
Skills
Behaviour management and de-escalation (ABC analysis, positive strategies)
Assistive communication using PECS, AAC devices, and assistive technologies
Sensory regulation and trauma-informed support techniques
Implementation of IEPs and Occupational Therapy activities
Personal care and toileting support delivered with professionalism and dignity
Classroom preparation, organisation, and use of visual schedules
Accurate record-keeping (behaviour logs, toileting notes, incident reports)
Supporting emotional regulation and social interaction through structured activities
Flexible and adaptable; experienced in covering multiple classes and responding to varied needs
Strong communication, empathy, and trust-building with students and staff
Collaborative teamwork with teachers, SNAs, and therapists
Coaching and mentoring to promote resilience and confidence
Organisational and planning skills from previous project management experience
Certification
- Tusla Children First E-Learning Program Feb 2025
- Neurodiversity, Autism and Communication May 2025
- Embodied Processing (Trauma & Nervous System Regulation) Ongoing
- NLP Master Practitioner May 2009
- Prince 2 Practitioner (Project Management) Oct 2007
References
- Bernadette Finnerty (St Michael's Special National School) +353 (094) 962 0523, stmichaelsroscommon@gmail.com
- Kenneth Dennedy & Miriam Judge (Scoil Iosa Ballyhaunis National School) +353 (094) 963 0310(Principal Dennedy) or +353 (0) 861662099 (Miriam) iosaballyhaunis@gmail.com or mjudge@iosaballyhaunis.com
Timeline
Special Needs Assistant
St Michael's Special School
04.2025 - 07.2025
Special Needs Assistant
Scoil Iosa Ballyhaunis National School
10.2024 - 03.2025
Holistic Life Coach & Entrepreneur (Owner)
Gentle Warrior
01.2016 - 12.2024
Vendor and Project Manager
Electronic Arts
03.2011 - 12.2015
Global Project Manager
Regus
02.2009 - 04.2011
Talent & Development Junior Project Manager
Colt Telecoms
05.2002 - 01.2009
Project Coordinator
Blick S.A.
10.1993 - 04.2002
Leaving Certification - undefined
Edgemead High School
Special Needs Assisting Level 6 -
GRETB
QQI Level 5 Early Childhood and Care Education -
GRETB
Creative Mindfulness Kids Practitioner -
Creative Mindfulness
Similar Profiles
Eleanor JohnstonEleanor Johnston
Special Education Case Manager/7th Grade ELA Teacher at Bricolage Middle SchoolSpecial Education Case Manager/7th Grade ELA Teacher at Bricolage Middle School
Nicole Little MustacheNicole Little Mustache
Grade 1/2 Teacher at Holy Spirit School Division -St. Michael's SchoolGrade 1/2 Teacher at Holy Spirit School Division -St. Michael's School
Abdullah Bin MuhammadAbdullah Bin Muhammad
Accounting Teacher at St. Michael's Convent SchoolAccounting Teacher at St. Michael's Convent School
Sylvia SchloesserSylvia Schloesser
Home carer at privateHome carer at private
Jahan ZaibJahan Zaib
IT systems administrator at INN & GO Kuwait Plaza HotelIT systems administrator at INN & GO Kuwait Plaza Hotel