Kellie

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATOR & INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TEACHER

Kellie graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Education and Special Education, and a Bachelor of Disability Studies. She is a registered Developmental Educator (DE) and Teacher, with over 10 years of professional experience working with children, teenagers and adults with disabilities.

Kellie has seven years’ experience as the lead teacher of special classes within mainstream primary and high school settings. Her work centred on creating safe, supportive learning environments and providing accessible, individualised education aligned with students’ needs and future goals, including independent living, emotional regulation, social, driving, and employment pathways. This experience continues to inform her collaborative, capacity-building approach with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams.

Since transitioning to a Developmental Educator in 2022, Kellie has valued the opportunity to fully individualise support and work flexibly across home, school, community, and workplace environments. She prioritises relationship building, collaboration, and a neuro-affirming approach, and is committed to ongoing professional development to ensure her practice remains current and evidence-based.

Kellie is a mum of two young children and works part time. In 2025, she relocated from McLaren Vale to Mildura and thoroughly enjoys supporting individuals, families, and professionals in the Sunraysia area.

Member Number: 3324791

Kellie's Approach

Kellie prioritises relationship building and creating a safe, supportive space where individuals and families feel understood, respected, and empowered. She works collaboratively with individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure support is cohesive, consistent, and meaningful across all environments.

While sessions are thoughtfully planned and reflective of evidence-based practice, Kellie remains flexible and responsive to the person’s needs on the day. This may include co-regulating, supporting someone through a current challenge, or using in-the-moment experiences to build skills and understanding in real time.

Alongside individual sessions, Kellie places a strong emphasis on working collaboratively with parents, carers, key adults and siblings. She values making time to connect, truly understand and problem-solve together—supporting families to implement practical and realistic strategies. This collaborative approach helps create consistency and carryover beyond session time alone, often leading to more sustainable outcomes.

Kellie’s practice is neuro-affirming and strengths-based, with a strong focus on supporting individuals to develop a positive identity, build self-advocacy skills, and navigate social, academic, and environmental barriers with greater confidence.

Professional Training and Courses

Bachelor of Education (Special Education) - Flinders University 2014
Bachelor of Disability Studies - Flinders University 2014
Certificate 2 in Community Services Work
Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (advanced course) - Dr Ross Greene
Fundamentals of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice - Sonny Jane Wise
Sensory Diet Course: Master - Harkla
Bringing the Energy: And All the Autism Level UP! Tools to Support It! - Autism Level UP!
Zones of Regulation
Social Thinking curriculum
Supporting Student's Development of Regulation - Department for Education Occupational Therapists
Savvy ways to understand and work with tricky student behaviour; through positive behaviour support lenses - Mark Messurier
MAPA (Management of Actual or Potential Aggression) programme
Creating Calmer Classrooms for Vulnerable Students - Leigh Burrows
Neuroscience and the Student Brain - Dr Donna Nitschke
Relationships and Sexual Health Education - Shine SA
Sexual Health in Students with Disability - Special Options Teachers' Network
Supporting Gender Diverse, Intersex and Sexually Diverse Children and Young People
Cultural Competency - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Best Practice in Disability Advocacy – Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
Talking Hands 1 and 2 (AUSLAN) - Deaf Can:Do
Social Inclusion and Wellbeing for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
IM ALERT Food Safety Training
Free to Be - Body Esteem - Butterfly Foundation
Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect (RRHAN - EC)