Meet your Student Council: Bel Cunningham

Bel Cunningham
Bachelor of Special Inclusive Education
UNE Student Council Accessibility Representative

What are you studying?

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education online, after completing a Diploma of Educational Studies in 2023. I am in my 3rd year of study and hoping to apply for my conditional approval at the end of 2025, so i can start teaching in 2026.

What is the UNE Student Council and what does your role entail?

UNE Student Council is a group of elected student representatives that are the voice for all students. I am the Accessibility Representative so am the person to come to if you are a UNE student with enquiries relating to accessibility and inclusion. As part of my role I will also attend information sessions and meetings to gather information and share with the student body.

Would you recommend students be involved with the UNE Council? If so, why?

I would recommend being part of the Student Council as a representative if you can commit to it, as it helps build skills that you can take into your next role in your field of study. If you cannot commit to being a representative, I would encourage you to join the Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with student news and what services are available for you to engage in and access.

What is your background and what brought you to study at UNE?

I have a background in early childhood and swim teaching and have always been interested in working with children with additional needs. I have two children at home with a range of additional needs including autism, ADHD and epilepsy. Through their struggles in mainstream schooling and discovering that the access to teachers who have additional needs training is limited, my career goal became becoming a special and inclusive education teacher to help other children achieve their goals. I have homeschooled my children for the last seven years and currently work as an education assistant at a local Catholic High School and as lead teacher for Rainbow Club, a not-for-profit organisation that offers swimming lessons for children with additional needs.

What would you like to do after your studies?

I would like to become a special and inclusive education teacher, whether that be in mainstream education, or a support unit of a school. I will endeavour to help as many children reach their goals as possible and I look forward to continuing to build my skills and knowledge as I progress through my career.

What have been your biggest achievements and challenges in your study journey so far? Who/what has helped you along the way?

My biggest achievement during my study so far is receiving credits and distinctions for all subjects since starting my degree. This year I have found that studying part-time whilst working two jobs and homeschooling my son is a challenge, but also rewarding in knowing that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. Having the support of my family throughout this process and also great work colleagues who are happy to help me if there are concepts I have been unable to grasp right away, has helped me immensely throughout my study. The support of UNE staff and support services have made the journey through my degree much smoother then I could ever imagine.

What has been your favourite unit so far?

My favourite units so far would have to be EDSP100 and EDSP102. They are both additional needs units within my degree and I really enjoyed learning more about what to expect from students with learning difficulties and twice exceptional students and completing case studies to develop learning plans for the children to be successful in their schooling.

What have you learnt about yourself through university?

I have learnt that I need to have more confidence and belief in my capabilities, as I am much more capable than I feel. I also have found that my strengths are definitely units that incorporate additional needs and, surprisingly, mathematics which I always felt wasn't a strong KLA for me.

Do you study around other interests and commitments?

I study part-time (two units a trimester) around two jobs and homeschooling my 15-year-old son. I do most of my studying on Sundays as I work Wednesday to Friday as an education assistant in Gunnedah, Saturdays as a swim teacher in Tamworth and Gunnedah, and my son's homeschooling (mostly Monday and Tuesday) and medical appointments. I use the mornings when I get to work early to do readings for my units and make a start on my assignments to stay on top of my study.

Is there any advice you might give to other uni students, or your younger self?

The advice I would like to give to other students is to not leave assignments until last minute. Make a start on them at the end of your first week, as completing parts of the assignment as you learn the content makes the assignment less overwhelming, and you will have the content fresh in your mind when you start writing about it. Also always have someone proofread your assignments before submitting them, as they can pick up on small errors that you may miss as the writer of the task.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Make the most of your time at uni to build friendships and connections in your field of study. The friendships you make will be lifelong and building connections will open up many opportunities for you and allow you to gain the best experience possible before starting your career in your chosen field.

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• UNE Social Media Team
• +61 2 6773 5114
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