Leona is a primary school teacher, a parent of four young children, and a current student on the Master of Arts(MA) in Inclusive & Special Education (MAISE), delivered jointly by ICEP Europe and Hibernia College. In a recent webinar, Leona shared her honest experience of balancing study, work, and family life — and how the programme has supported her both professionally and personally. If you are interested in watching Leona’s full webinar session, you can access the recording here.
Balancing Study, Teaching and Family Life
I completed the postgraduate stage of the programme last year and I am now in Term One of the Master’s, currently studying Research Methods. Reflecting on my experience so far, I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed last year and gained so much knowledge through the programme.
As a busy primary school teacher and a mother of four — including one child with special and additional needs — flexibility was essential for me. This has been one of the greatest strengths of the programme.
The online and flexible structure makes it possible to combine study with work and family life. That said, I do think you need to be very disciplined and assign dedicated hours each week to your studies in order to stay on track.
High-Quality Teaching and Ongoing Support
One of the standout aspects of my experience has been the quality of teaching and support. The weekly webinars, along with the alternate-week live drop-in sessions, are absolutely fantastic.
The lecturers have been phenomenal. Last year, the teaching was excellent, and this year I continue to feel very well supported, particularly through my assigned supervisor for Research Methods. She gets back to me very efficiently, is always there if I have questions, and provides ongoing support. Even though I am very much in the thick of it at the moment, I am still thoroughly enjoying the programme and continuing to gain knowledge all the time. There is always so much to learn.
Learning Together in an Online Community
Although the MAISE programme is fully online, it has never felt isolating. Through the live drop-in sessions and engagement with the cohort on the Hibernia platform, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with peers.
We engage with one another regularly, learn from each other’s experiences, and work together in breakout rooms during webinars. We also share our worries and stresses, particularly around assignments, which creates a very supportive learning environment.
While many of us are educators, we all come from different settings, experiences and walks of life. Everyone brings something different to the table, and learning from one another has been a really valuable part of the experience.
Professional Growth and Personal Impact
From a professional point of view, I want to complete the Master’s in order to open further doors for leadership opportunities within education.
From a personal perspective, the impact has been just as significant. As a parent of a child with additional needs, the programme has been phenomenal for me. I am constantly learning, and what I gain from the course benefits both my family and my career. It really feels like a double benefit, and that has been incredibly meaningful for me.
Research with a Focus on Inclusion
I am currently at the ethics approval stage of my research project. My proposed topic focuses on supporting social inclusion and peer relationships for autistic individuals in a mainstream school setting.
The research looks specifically at autism classes within mainstream schools and explores ways to support social inclusion during both structured and unstructured times, such as break times and play. With so many autism classes now located within mainstream schools, this is an area that feels particularly relevant. I am still working on developing the project, but I am confident and hopeful that it will progress in the coming months.
A Positive and Rewarding Experience
Reflecting on my journey so far, I have found the MAISE programme to be deeply rewarding. I feel constantly supported, challenged, and developing — both as an educator and as a parent.
Overall, my experience highlights what the programme offers: flexibility for busy lives, strong academic and supervisory support, meaningful peer engagement, and learning that makes a real difference in both professional and personal contexts.
If you are interested in flexible, supportive postgraduate study in inclusive and special education, you can find out more about the MA in Inclusive & Special Education from ICEP Europe and Hibernia College. Applications are now open for January 2026, and you can register for an upcoming webinar to learn more.