Shelby (she/her)

I’m currently completing my Bachelor of Education (Honours) – Primary and Special Education at Australian Catholic University and will graduate in mid-2026. After that, I plan to continue into a Master of Education (Diversity and Inclusion) to further my commitment to inclusive practice. School was not always an easy experience for me.

Living with disabilities, I often felt misunderstood. I was fortunate, however, to have some teachers who recognised that I was trying my best and helped me believe in myself. Their care and persistence inspired my path into teaching.

I’m guided by the belief that literacy is freedom, and that education is one of the most powerful ways to create equity and belonging. My long-term goal is to help shape teacher education so that future educators are equipped to provide inclusive, affirming classrooms — particularly for students who are queer, disabled, or otherwise marginalised. I aim to contribute to systemic change by promoting evidence-based, compassionate approaches to teaching, knowing that affirming positive LGBTQIA+ education is strongly associated with life-saving outcomes.

I applied for The Pinnacle Foundation scholarship to join a community that shares my values and to learn from mentors, alumni, and peers who are leading change. I’m grateful to the generous donors from the 2025 Commonwealth Bank Unity Gala, whose support allows me to keep proving that the limits others placed on me were never mine to carry, now knowing that with the right support, anything is possible.