Mikel Selby has always been surrounded by supportive communities of people who have helped shape her life in various ways.
Now, as a first-year Bachelor of Education (Primary) student at the University of Tasmania, she’s starting to shape the future of others – without leaving her own cherished community of Launceston.
A former Scotch Oakburn student, Mikel has lived in Launceston her whole life, with a network of friends and family that extends well beyond her school community.
“I’ve done dancing for a very long time and netball too, and I’ve really grown a community through that,” she said. “Sport especially has been a big part of my life and where I’ve built friendships.”
These connections, and a desire to pay that support forward, drew Mikel to studying education.
“I had a teacher I really looked up to. He supported me no matter how well I did, and he always lifted my confidence when I was proud of something.
“I definitely want to be that kind of teacher – supportive and there for my students.”
Even before going to university, Mikel was feeling that responsibility to pass on her knowledge and help others to learn.
“I helped with some of the younger kids during my dance classes at school, which I really enjoyed,” she said. “Seeing them improve, and knowing I had a part in their progress, it’s a really rewarding feeling.”
Mikel isn’t the first in her family to pursue this path. Her older sister also studied primary education at the University of Tasmania and now works as a relief teacher in the local area.
“She’s just finished and has been a big help if I ever need support with assignments or understanding something,” Mikel said.
“I think we both just have this drive to support others. Our parents were always supportive of us, and I guess we want to carry that forward, to give others that same feeling, especially those who might not get it at home.”
Mikel is already gaining hands-on experience. A recent placement in an early learning classroom helped her connect her passion for teaching with the real-world needs of younger learners.
“We’ve been learning about how to handle different classroom situations and how to write learning plans that cater to all students,” she said.
“It’s made me more aware of different learning needs and the importance of adapting teaching strategies to support everyone.”
Staying in Launceston for university has given Mikel the chance to continue developing within her community, while embracing the independence that comes with university study.
“I always thought I’d stay here,” she said. “Maybe because I haven’t had the experience of living somewhere else, but I’ve grown a lot since starting uni. It’s a new environment and a new community, and I’ve started to really understand how it all works.”
She’s also found support among her classmates, some of whom she also danced with in high school.
“Friendships really help you get through uni,” she said. “Having someone to study with or talk to makes such a difference. The staff told us during orientation that finding your community would be important – and they were right.”
While Mikel is open to wherever her career might take her, she sees herself staying in Tasmania and teaching younger primary-aged students.
“Young children don’t hide their emotions,” she said. “So, when they understand something, their faces just light up. It makes you feel good to know you had an impact.”
And that impact, Mikel believes, goes beyond individual lessons.
“You’re building the basics,” she said. “If students don’t learn them, they’ll struggle later on.
“So, you’re really shaping their whole future, and that’s something I want to be a part of.”
Study with us. Find out more about studying Education.