About
Meet Michelle
M.Ed (Student Wellbeing) • B.Ed (Primary) • GradDip Psychology • Dip. Creative Arts • Dip. Modern Languages (Mandarin)
How do you teach a five-year-old the difference between a radius, a diameter and a circumference? When I was in Grade 6 at Templestowe Heights Primary School and my brother was at Twin Hills Preschool, I was determined to show him that maths could be an adventure. Instead of simply studying circle geometry, we invented a kingdom. The circumference became the “circle-fence” protecting treasure in the middle, while the radius was the shortest path for a quick-witted, daring raid. Anyone foolishly trying to cross the entire circle risked being caught by the guards on the other side (“die, amateur!” became the diameter catchcry). With pi rounded to three and multiplication already familiar from the arrays we had built together, even the formulas for perimeter and area became stories he could understand, remember and proudly use to the amazement of all.
Looking back, those lesson games said more about my future than I realised. Long before I studied education, psychology or student wellbeing, I knew that children don’t always find understanding through textbook explanations. Sometimes it takes a picture, a story, a game, movement, practical materials or simply someone willing to slow down and find another way in. My role is to keep searching until we find the explanation that clicks and the student can experience the confidence of realising: I can do this.
Over the past twenty years, I have worked with children and teenagers in school classrooms (including Carey, Blackburn Primary and Kingswood College), family homes and one-to-one tutoring sessions, right from first steps in literacy and numeracy through to senior secondary subjects. These days, alongside my photography work, I am fortunate to work closely with a small number of families, usually once a week and sometimes twice. Some need help catching up, some are seeing me for enrichment and extension, and many do best with approaches suited to a neurodivergent learning profile. I cannot take on an unlimited number of students, but places do open as schedules shuffle from semester to semester and year to year. I am always happy to hear from new families, whether they are looking for focused short-term help or for a longer-term tutoring relationship.
My Approach
The best tutoring begins with understanding each child: their strengths, interests, unique personalities and learning profiles, as well as the areas in which they may need extra encouragement, enrichment and support. My sessions are then built around what helps that particular student learn in a way that is purposeful and personalised. For some children, that may mean explicit teaching and a clear routine. Often, it means working through diagrams, a series of books, varied learning games, movement, technology, hands-on materials and open conversations that help ideas finally make sense. I continuously adjust the pace, resources and level of challenge as we go, always aiming for the point where that student feels supported enough to succeed and stretched enough to grow.
Trust comes first. When students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, have a laugh and freely admit that something does not yet click, learning flows naturally. Once that safety is there, we can build true curiosity, persistence and independence rather than simply feeling like we are pushing through the next worksheet or assignment.
I work closely with parents and caregivers so that tutoring remains connected to each child’s wider needs and goals. I listen to what is happening at home or school, share useful observations with schools and other professionals involved as needed, and adjust our focus over time. This collaborative and flexible approach shapes my work with private students, homeschooling families and NDIS participants (including children funded under the Early Childhood Intervention Professional category).
Ultimately, the goal is to help each student become genuinely confident, more independent and better equipped to meet each new challenge. Many of the families I work with remain with me for several years, and it is a privilege to become a familiar and trusted part of their lives, celebrating everything from the smallest breakthroughs to the most significant milestones.
Experience, insight and creativity
What I bring to each session
Teaching & Learning- Wellbeing & Confidence
- Creativity & Connection
20+ YEARS
Supporting children and teenagers
ONE-TO-ONE
Lessons shaped around the individual
LOCAL & FLEXIBLE
Templestowe, in-home, libraries and online
A good place to begin
Tell me about your child
Share a little about what they enjoy, where they may benefit from attention and what you hope tutoring could help them achieve. I’ll be in touch to see whether my approach and availability may be a good fit.
