Elisabeth Hartley

I was born and raised in Rockingham Western Australia.  As I grew up, I attended Cooloongup Primary School and Living Waters Lutheran College. I graduated year 12 at Canning College and started at Edith Cowan University the following year.

At the age of eight I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. Because of this diagnosis, I have had a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge since a young age. I have a passion for children with special needs. I wish to help all children with Specific Learning Disabilities achieve their full potential and develop the same love for learning as I have. 

I growing up and throughout my teens I was an enthusiastic sports woman. I enjoy field hockey and fencing. At Woodbridge Fencing Club I assisted in training the new students under the age of twelve. In the past, I have learnt ballroom dancing and completed medals with honours. Also, I was in my younger years a keen equestrienne rider and soccer player.

Furthermore, I am a Christian and have a deep respect for people of all Faiths and nationalities. I was involved in my faith’s youth program for four years, which involves youth aged twelve to eighteen. These youths come from a range of backgrounds. I worked primarily with children from New Zealand and the Cook Islands. I had the opportunity to learn more about their culture and even learn some Islander dancing. I have always been interested in people from different countries and cultures. I have travelled parts of Europe, New Zealand, America and seen a large part of Australia. I am sensitive to the cultural requirements of many cultures, especially those of Australian Aboriginality and Torres Strait Islanders. I intend to become sensitive to every culture needs and travel more to understand their cultural backgrounds.

I am a keen thespian with a burning desire for the theatre. I studied with Helen O’Gradie School of Drama from seven until I graduated at fifteen years of age. After that time, I studied drama as part of my formal education and most recently as part of my teaching qualification. I love singing and believe music is important in the classroom. I have sung in choirs since my earliest memories and have conducted congregational singing and directed junior choirs (ages 3-11 and ages 12-18) in a church setting.

I have a deep passion for storytelling and creativity, which is reflected in my love for Disney, musicals, and literature. As a lifelong Disney enthusiast and a fan of musicals, I am drawn to the magic of narratives brought to life through art and performance. I am also an avid reader with a particular fondness for the Harry Potter series, and I take pride in being part of that vibrant community of fans. My appreciation for the arts extends across many forms, and I thrive in environments that celebrate creativity and imaginative expression. These interests not only fuel my personal joy but also enhance my ability to bring passion, enthusiasm, and creative problem-solving into my work.

I have always been a hands-on, creative individual who thrives on building and designing. My passion for LEGO has led me to assemble an impressive collection of models, which allow me to express my creativity in a tangible way. I love to make sew costumes for events such as Bookweek and Medieval carnivals. In my spare time, I also enjoy watching YouTube videos of people restoring, building, and refinishing furniture, as it inspires me and aligns with my commitment to living by the motto ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ This philosophy informs both my personal and professional life, as I seek to make sustainable, thoughtful choices in everything I do. Additionally, I love playing The Sims 4, which serves as another outlet for my creativity, allowing me to design and build virtual worlds that satisfy my need to create.

I chose to become a teacher, so I could help all students, including those who struggle and fly, feel they are gaining benefit from education. I aim to assist all undiagnosed learning disability students that come across my path receive help and be diagnosed, so they can receive educational assistance and be taught in a way best for their disability. I believe all children can be taught to their full potential when a teacher knows how that child learns. Finally, I want to inspire children to enjoy learning and strive to reach their full potential.