Laura Tokell

I currently teach on the Masters in Education, Masters in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion and ITT courses in the Faculty of Education and Society. I love nothing more than to see the progress of students, feel the privilege of sharing in their wonderful ideas around education and, ultimately, see their success throughout their studies and teaching experiences.

My passion for education began at an early age with my love of learning and development. I entered the teaching profession as an adult tutor where I developed and taught vocational and functional skills courses, with the aim of creating equality of opportunity in work and education, for disadvantaged and unemployed people.

It was in this role that my awareness of the impact poor accessibility to quality education can cause, and my desire to support children in reaching their full potential grew. Consequently, I decided to pursue my degree in BA (Hons) Primary Education at University of Sunderland.

This further fueled my passion for true equality and inclusion in education and after graduating I realised I was not ready to stop learning – and never will be – so went on to study for my Masters Degree in Education at the University.

My study centered around EDI in education, with a particular interest in Gender and Diversity, which influenced my thesis research choice and ultimately led me into my position as an academic tutor. I have developed and taught modules as well as supervising thesis students and enjoy being involved in staff and student CPD, mainly in EDI.

In my previous career I worked as an overseas representative, in Europe, which afforded me the opportunity to be immersed in different cultures, ways of working and living and gave me life and cultural experiences I never expected. I believe this is were my interest in EDI started, as I strove to understand my place in a welcoming, but, foreign community and embraced the opportunities and challenges this presented.

Additionally, I am involved in the University staff networks. All Identities Included (AII), for LGBTQI+ staff and allies. I also chair the Enabled Body and Mind Network, for staff and allies who have conditions themselves or want to support and understand those with disabilities (visible and invisible), conditions and mental health differences which can affect their day to day living and working. The networks also present a wide variety of opportunities to collaborate with students, staff and internal and external partners and colleagues, creating greater scope for awareness raising, support for staff and students and knowledge and skill sharing.