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. Together, they bring extensive expertise in continuing professional development, with a particular focus on special education, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Our Department of Education approved courses are grounded in real classroom practice and are developed in collaboration with experienced educators and specialists, including Principal Fiona Wickham, Jannah Walshe, Ciara Lynch and AI expert Patrick Hickey.
Anokha Learning has 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 Breslin has 14 years of teaching experience across a wide range of settings, from small rural multi-grade schools to urban DEIS schools. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education, with her thesis focusing on inclusion in mainstream education, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management.
Aoife has worked as both a mainstream class teacher and a Special Education Teacher, including in special classes for pupils with autism. Her passion is inclusion-making sure every child has a real place in their school community.
She led her school's involvement in the NCSE Inclusive Education Framework Initiative and brings that hands-on, practical experience directly into her courses at Anokha Learning.
Aoife is the lead tutor on the Equal Education for All course and co-owns Anokha Learning alongside Michael Coughlan.
Michael Coughlan — Co-Owner & Course Facilitator
Michael Coughlan has 16 years of primary teaching experience across a wide range of settings, including mainstream, special education, DEIS schools, and SEN roles. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management.
Michael currently works as a special class teacher and has extensive experience supporting pupils with diverse needs including those in special classes for children with autism. His passion is inclusive education - making sure every teacher feels equipped and confident to support all the learners in their classroom.
Michael co-owns Anokha Learning alongside Aoife Breslin and leads course facilitation across the platform.
Fiona Wickham
Course Creator
Fiona Wickham is an experienced school leader, coach, and mentor with over 25 years in education, including 18 years in school leadership. She is passionate about supporting teachers and school leaders to grow in confidence, step into leadership, and navigate their careers with clarity and purpose.
Fiona has supported hundreds of educators at key stages of their professional journey. Her approach combines practical, real-world leadership experience with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within schools.
She is particularly known for helping educators recognise and articulate their strengths, develop their own authentic leadership style, and approach new opportunities with confidence.
At Anokha Learning, Fiona leads the Introduction to Leadership and Management course, bringing her experience, warmth, and practical wisdom to support teachers at all stages of their careers.
Patrick Hickey
Course Creator
Patrick Hickey is an experienced teacher and Assistant Principal, widely recognised as one of Ireland's leading voices in artificial intelligence in education. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Patrick brings a deep understanding of classroom practice alongside a genuine passion for innovation and technology.
Patrick has delivered AI training to thousands of teachers across Ireland through workshops, seminars, and school-based CPD, helping educators at all levels confidently integrate AI into their daily practice. He has been featured in national media including RTÉ and Newstalk and is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach that makes AI accessible and relevant for real classrooms.
At Anokha Learning, Patrick leads the AI Unlocked course, giving teachers real, actionable strategies they can implement straight away - whether they are brand new to AI or looking to take their practice further.
Jenna Fitzgerald
Course Creator
Jenna Fitzgerald is a primary school teacher with over 20 years of experience working in a DEIS school in Wexford. Throughout her career she has taught in mainstream classrooms and special classes, and has also served as a Home School Community Liaison teacher.
Jenna holds a primary degree in International Commerce and French and spent a year studying in France, where she explored additional languages including Russian, Italian and Spanish. With a lifelong passion for languages, she has always embraced opportunities to bring language learning to life in the primary classroom.
At Anokha Learning, Jenna leads the Modern Foreign Language course, drawing on her extensive experience and love of languages to give teachers practical, engaging approaches they can use straight away.