Dhanushki Thilini de Tissera Anthony
Dhanushki Thilini de Tissera Anthony
International Master of Teaching English - Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Dhanushki was born and raised in the beautiful island of Sri Lanka and has since had the privilege of living in five different countries, an experience that profoundly shaped her worldview and inspired her passion for language, cultural diversity, and the power of communication.
As there could be no better place than Canada to fulfill Dhanushki’s calling to work with diverse communities, she moved to Halifax two years ago to pursue the International Master of Teaching English (IMTE) at Saint Mary’s University.
During these two years, she had the opportunity to volunteer with ISANS and United for Literacy, working with immigrants from diverse backgrounds and providing them with language support to help them integrate into Canadian society.
Balancing full-time graduate studies while working part-time, volunteering, and raising two children has been one of the most demanding yet rewarding chapters of her life. Juggling these responsibilities required resilience, discipline and sacrifice, but it also strengthened her determination and deepened her appreciation for perseverance.
Dhanushki’s teaching journey has extended both nationally and internationally, across literacy to academic English. She is currently working as an EAL Instructor with ISANS, and with United for Literacy, and as an on-call instructor with Dalhousie University, where she has the privilege of supporting newcomers and multilingual learners through equitable and learner-centred education. Grounded in a deep commitment to inclusive practices and plurilingual pedagogy, Dhanushki strives to create learning environments where every learner feels seen, valued, and empowered.
Dhanushki will graduate on Tuesday, May 26, from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Watch the graduation livestream and find the convocation program on our website.
Q&A with Dhanushki
What is your educational background?
I have a Master of Arts in Psychology, an MBA in Human Resources, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and CELTA Certification (Pass A), TESL Canada, OCELT, and TEFL (Level 5).
Why did you choose Saint Mary’s University?
I was first and foremost attracted to the IMTE syllabus and the pictures of SMU looked inviting. As I read more about Saint Mary’s University, I loved its inclusivity and diversity and wanted to be a part of it.
What was your favourite class?
My favourite classes were Curriculum Design and the teaching practicum.
Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?
All instructors at IMTE had a profound impact on my learning and growth. I greatly admired the teaching approach of Julian L’Enfant, as it reflected the kind of educator I aspire to become
Did you or do you currently volunteer with any organizations?
Yes, I volunteered at ISANS as an EAL tutor, I taught a literacy group class for seniors and 1-1 tutoring, and I volunteered at United for Literacy as an ESL tutor.
Do you have a favourite space on campus?
Tim Hortons!
IMTE class
Looking back, what was your favourite SMU memory?
Having breakfast as a class on Tuesdays in the Students Centre and our first outing (a picnic) as a class in Point Pleasant Park.
What will you miss about Saint Mary’s?
My classmates. We came from different countries, different backgrounds and different ages, but we were able to build a community and support each other through this program.
What are your goals for the future?
To provide language support to immigrants and International Students to help them integrate into the Canadian society and fulfil their dreams.
What advice would you give to current students?
One piece of advice would be to complete your assignments on time. Don’t procrastinate too much, as your work will quickly pile up and overwhelm you. Connect with your peers, as they are going to be your support system throughout the program!