Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw is an educator, academic, and accessibility advocate with extensive experience supporting Deaf and hard of hearing students across diverse educational settings from Kindergarten to Year 12. Her professional practice is grounded in inclusive education, communication access, Auslan-informed pedagogy, and collaborative approaches that support equitable participation for all learners.

Through years of working alongside students, families, teachers, allied health professionals, and school leadership teams, Fiona has developed expertise in curriculum access, differentiated teaching practice, reasonable adjustments, and the linguistic and social needs of Deaf learners, including students who use Auslan as a first language. This work has provided her with a broad understanding of inclusive teaching practices and the practical realities of supporting diverse learners across educational contexts.

Fiona holds a Master of Special Education (Hearing Support) from Macquarie University, a Diploma of Auslan from Deaf Connect, and a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Primary) with Honours from Southern Cross University. Her Honours research explored inquiry-based learning in primary science education, reflecting her ongoing interest in evidence-informed practice and student-centred learning.

As a casual academic and unit marker with Southern Cross University, Fiona brings strong practitioner knowledge into tertiary education. Her experience in inclusive education informs her approach to assessment, feedback, and teacher preparation, allowing her to connect educational theory with authentic classroom practice. She is particularly passionate about helping future educators develop inclusive mindsets, practical strategies, and a deeper understanding of accessibility within contemporary classrooms.

Her professional interests include inclusive pedagogy, Deaf education, accessibility, assistive technology, teacher development, and regional community engagement. Fiona is passionate about creating learning environments where all students feel valued, supported, and able to succeed.