Anagi Gunasekera
Hi, I’m Anagi Gunasekera, a 20-year-old multipotentialite from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka. I’m a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar at Deakin University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in Visual Communication Design. My journey began at Ladies’ College, Colombo, where I first discovered the joy of leading, learning, and creating.
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I thrive at the intersection of disciplines. My curiosity draws me to fields as diverse as neuroscience, educational psychology, business, mathematics, digital art, and editing. For me, learning is not about silos—it’s about weaving ideas together into new perspectives and designing creative solutions that matter.
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As an aspiring education and learning design specialist, I am committed to promoting progressive, inclusive, and accessible education models. Through my teaching, tutoring, and peer mentoring, I aim to create learning spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired. My public capstone project, the Goodville Program, reflects this vision by fostering kindness and empathy in young children as a foundation for more compassionate communities.
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Creativity lies at the heart of who I am. I love creating, designing, and editing—whether through visual storytelling, digital projects, or experimental media. Beyond design, service is the thread that runs through everything I do: from leading music ensembles and mentoring peers to teaching students and uplifting others through small acts of encouragement.
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The arts are my deepest form of self-expression. I sing and play the piano, violin, and ukulele, and dance fuels my energy—especially contemporary hip-hop and, more recently, Bolly-pop. On a lighter note, I have a quirky love for wordplay, so yes—you could call me a proud punner!
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In every space I step into, my purpose is simple: to learn across disciplines, create with passion, and empower others to flourish.
A Glimpse into My Current Endeavours
Expanding Horizons at Deakin
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Becoming a Deakin International Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar has been one of the most defining experiences of my life so far. University has been more than just lectures and deadlines — it has been a journey of discovering my passions, connecting across cultures, and stepping into new spaces that have challenged and inspired me.
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Through my education units and assignments, I’ve uncovered just how much I love learning design. Writing about progressive education models, and reflecting on critical pedagogy has given me the language to articulate what I’ve always believed — that education should empower, include, and inspire. My projects in design thinking and visual communication design, from working in Adobe to experimenting with web design, have allowed me to bring creativity into education, blending artistic expression with practical learning solutions.
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Beyond academics, my work as an Arts and Education Peer Mentor has been a powerful reminder that education is about people first. Hosting online mentoring sessions and participating in workshops and networking events gave me the chance to support my peers in both academic and personal ways, while also learning from their journeys. It has been deeply rewarding to build these connections and see students open up, laugh, and find confidence together.
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Music has continued to be a central part of my growth at Deakin. I created music ensembles that bring together students from diverse cultures, and even co-formed a band with international students, where music became our shared language. Playing as a violinist in the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra has connected me to the wider Melbourne community, while my music teaching roles at Dynamic Music Studios and Musical Avenue and work as a secondary school maths tutor have allowed me to apply what I’m studying in education directly to my teaching practice — adapting strategies from my education major to meet the unique needs of each student.
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At Deakin, I’ve learned that my passion sits at the intersection of education, creativity, and service. Every experience — whether in the classroom, on stage, in a design studio, or with a student — has been part of shaping my vision of education as something holistic, inclusive, and transformative.
A Glimpse into My 2024 Endeavours
Goodville Program: A Growing Impact
The Goodville Program has been a major focus of mine, and it’s been truly rewarding to see it flourish. From creating engaging social-emotional learning (SEL) related cartoon graphics and emotional management techniques and other learning tools, I’ve been hands-on in every aspect of the project. These tools are not just theoretical—they’ve been tested and refined through my work over the past couple of months. I’ve also had the privilege of conducting parent sessions, where I’ve received invaluable feedback from parents who’ve found these techniques practical and transformative. The parents' support and children's enthusiasm have been a driving force, pushing me to innovate further and ensure that Goodville remains a relevant and impactful resource.
Teaching Music and Music Therapy
This year, I also had the privilege of teaching music at ABC Preschool and ABC School of Early Learning. I’ve gone beyond just teaching songs- I’ve introduced the children to body percussion, rhythm, ear training, and singing in tune. It’s been a joy to see them engage with music on a deeper level. Additionally, I started offering music therapy for children with special needs. This experience has been both challenging and rewarding, as I’ve learned to tailor my teaching to each child’s unique needs, observing how music can have a therapeutic effect. The positive feedback from parents and the head of the inclusive unit has been incredibly heart-warming, especially when they tell me how much their children enjoy coming to my sessions.
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Tutoring: Tailored Learning for Every Student
Alongside Goodville, I’ve continued to enhance my tutoring practice, where I bring a personalized, practical approach to subjects like business, math, and science.Teaching has always been something I love. Whether it was helping friends with last-minute exam prep during my school days or working with my current students, I’ve always found joy in making learning fun and enriching. I’ve had the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds, including those with learning challenges like ADHD. I tailor my methods to each student’s needs, ensuring that they not only grasp the material but also develop a positive mindset towards learning, especially in subjects that can be challenging.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Research and Learning: Expanding My Horizons
To complement my practical work, I’ve been engaged in research and learning, particularly in areas like educational neuroscience, cognitive load theory, and AI-powered learning models. My recent involvement with the 'Learning Designers Community' has been a significant part of this journey, exposing me to a wide range of educational theories and practices. I’ve attended conferences, roundtable discussions, and youth events, all of which have broadened my perspective and inspired new ideas for my work. It’s been fascinating to learn about how the mind processes information and how we can apply these insights to create more effective and inclusive learning environments.
A Holistic Approach to Education
Bringing together my work with Goodville, my tutoring practice, and my ongoing research, I’m constantly striving to create a holistic, innovative approach to education. I believe that true learning happens when we connect with students on multiple levels—emotionally, intellectually, and practically. This holistic approach has been at the core of everything I do, whether I’m designing a new activity for Goodville, helping a student solve a math problem, or diving into the latest educational research.
As I continue this journey, I’m more excited than ever about the possibilities that lie ahead. Education is not just my passion—it’s my purpose. And I’m committed to making a positive, lasting impact in this field, one step at a time :)
Parent Testimonial
"Your ability to articulate complex and difficult concepts by breaking them down and explaining them with clarity, and your intuition for “knowing” when she had a question forming in her mind were the key things she would often re-iterate, whenever I have asked her how the classes were. She has no hesitation in her mind when she states “well, she is the best teacher I have”! The improvement in her marks (>90 in the last term exam) alongside your guidance is testimony to your coaching.
Your spirited personality and positive outlook were also key reasons as to why I decided to send her to you for coaching. You have inspired her to pursue both her studies as well as her music and crafting interests with more enthusiasm and determination. She has a drive to succeed in her other subjects too, which I am truly grateful for, particularly as she will be sitting the O’levels exam next year."