About Anokha Learning
'Anokha' means unique. We provide high-quality, accredited online professional development for primary school teachers that is practical, engaging and designed to make a lasting impact.
Based in Ballina, County Mayo, Anokha Learning delivers eLearning programmes to educators across Ireland and internationally. Originally established in 2016 by Cyril Crowe and Fiona Quinn, the organisation was relaunched in 2025 under the leadership of Aoife Breslin and Michael Coughlan, both experienced primary teachers, who bring extensive expertise in CPD with a particular focus on special education, inclusion and wellbeing.
Our Department of Education approved courses are grounded in real classroom practice and developed in collaboration with experienced educators and specialists, including Fiona Wickham, Jannah Walshe, Ciara Lynch, Jenna Fitzgerald and AI expert Patrick Hickey. We have also contributed to national discussions on youth mental health, including the National Task Force for Youth Mental Health and the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on Children's Mental Health Services.
We are committed to supporting teachers through high-quality professional learning that is relevant, practical and impactful.
Meet the team
Aoife Breslin
Course Director & Co-Owner
Aoife has 14 years of teaching experience from small rural multi-grade schools to urban DEIS settings. She holds a Master's in Special Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management.
She has worked as both a mainstream class teacher and a Special Education Teacher, including in special classes for pupils with autism, and led her school's involvement in the NCSE Inclusive Education Framework Initiative. Aoife is lead tutor on the Equal Education for All course and co-owns Anokha Learning.
Michael Coughlan
Co-Owner & Course Facilitator
Michael has 16 years of primary teaching experience across mainstream, special education, DEIS schools and SEN roles. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management.
He currently works as a special class teacher with extensive experience supporting pupils with diverse needs, including in special classes for children with autism. Michael co-owns Anokha Learning and leads course facilitation across the platform.
Fiona Wickham
Course Creator
Fiona is an experienced school leader, coach and mentor with over 25 years in education, including 18 years in school leadership. She has supported hundreds of educators at key stages of their professional journey.
She is known for helping educators recognise their strengths, develop an authentic leadership style and approach new opportunities with confidence. At Anokha Learning, Fiona leads the Introduction to Leadership and Management course.
Patrick Hickey
Course Creator
Patrick is an experienced teacher and Assistant Principal, widely recognised as one of Ireland's leading voices on artificial intelligence in education, with over 20 years of teaching experience.
He has delivered AI training to thousands of teachers across Ireland and featured in national media including RTE and Newstalk. At Anokha Learning, Patrick leads the AI Unlocked course with real, actionable strategies teachers can use straight away.
Jenna Fitzgerald
Course Creator
Jenna is a primary school teacher with over 20 years of experience in a DEIS school in Wexford. She has taught in mainstream classrooms and special classes and served as a Home School Community Liaison teacher.
She holds a degree in International Commerce and French and spent a year studying in France, exploring Russian, Italian and Spanish. At Anokha Learning, Jenna leads the Modern Foreign Language course.
Jannah Walshe
Course Creator
Jannah is a fully trained and qualified psychotherapist. Her primary degree is in psychology from Middlesex University, and she completed a postgraduate course in psychotherapy at The Tivoli Institute.
She is an accredited member of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and a practicing psychotherapist for adults and children. At Anokha Learning, Jannah leads the Emotional & Mental Health Fitness course.