S4 EP05: Foundations for the Future: Curriculum Planning and Reconciliation
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Release Date: 04/09/2024
S5 EP13: Creating Cultural Safety: How 50 Educators United on a Reconciliation Journey
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lisa Mavin, the nominated supervisor of Tilly's Play Development Centre in Rutherford, who shares her remarkable 18-year journey in early childhood education and her transformative approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives in mainstream services. As a non-Aboriginal educator married into an Aboriginal family, Lisa offers a unique perspective on creating culturally safe environments and building genuine relationships with First Nations communities. In this episode, Lisa reveals how she completely restructured her centre's approach to Aboriginal...
info_outline
S5 EY12: Dogs, Snakes and Safety: Honest Conversations About Bush Kindy Challenges
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this honest and practical episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica Staines and Bec Burch tackle the concerns many early childhood educators face when taking children out of the gate and onto Country. Rather than sugar-coating the challenges, they share real experiences from the field - from unexpected encounters with dogs and community members to navigating snake safety and supporting children with additional needs. Drawing from years of experience in bush kindy programs across Australia, they demonstrate how careful planning, community partnerships, and cultural awareness can transform perceived...
info_outline
S5 EP11: Country, Connection & Kindergarten: An Educator's Journey in Aboriginal Education
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this deeply insightful episode of Educator Yarns, we journey with Kat Fulford, a passionate early childhood educator from Ararat, Victoria, who shares her transformative approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives in kindergarten education. From her unique background transitioning from agricultural industry to early childhood education, Kat brings a profound connection to Country that permeates every aspect of her teaching practice. She candidly discusses the challenges of finding Aboriginal education resources in regional Victoria, the powerful moments that shaped her commitment to this...
info_outline
S5 EP10: From Intention to Connection: A Guide to Engaging with Local Aboriginal Communities
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Educator Yarns Season 5 Episode 10: From Intention to Connection: A Guide to Engaging with Local Aboriginal Communities In this episode of Educator Yarns, hosts Jessica Staines and Bec Burch tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in early childhood education: how to appropriately and respectfully connect with local Aboriginal communities. Prompted by a heartfelt voicemail from Kate at Little Saints at Tallebudgera, who runs a Bush Kindy program seeking guidance on community engagement, the hosts dive deep into the nuanced process of building authentic relationships with Aboriginal...
info_outline
S5 EP09: How One Kindergarten Transformed Their Approach to Aboriginal Education
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we chat with Taylar Malouf, an inspiring early childhood educator from Hopscotch Kindergarten. Over the past two years, Taylar has embarked on a transformative journey to embed First Nations perspectives into her teaching practices, creating meaningful learning experiences for children under her care. From her initial "Caring for Country" project that began with children's concern about rubbish in their local park, to developing a Bush Tucker Garden and exploring Indigenous seasons, Taylar shares how these initiatives have become central to her pedagogy. Her...
info_outline
S5 EP08: The Heart of Reconciliation: An Educator's Journey Building a Living Reconciliation Action Plan
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, we speak with Stephanie Watson, an inspiring early childhood educator and nominee for the Koori Curriculum Early Childhood Educator of the Year awards. Based at Happy Hearts Academy Early Learning Centre in Helensburgh, Stephanie has transformed her service's approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives through developing a meaningful Reconciliation Action Plan from scratch. With over ten years of experience in early childhood education, Stephanie shares her journey from wanting to work with the Starlight Foundation to becoming an educational leader...
info_outline
S5 EP07: Beyond the Fence: Transforming Early Learning Through on Country Experiences
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, host Jessica Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, is joined by Bec Burch, founder of Bush Kindy’s Australia, to explore the transformative power of "On Country" program for early childhood education. This thoughtful dialogue delves into how venturing beyond the confines of traditional learning environments enriches children's development through meaningful connection to place. The conversation weaves together Aboriginal perspectives, particularly the concept of "land links" where learning connects back to country, with the principles of nature pedagogy....
info_outline
S5 EP06: Connecting Children to Country: Urban Nature Play with Aboriginal Perspectives
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jess Staines speaks with Linda Wilson, a dedicated early childhood teacher at Sentia Early Learning in Melbourne CBD. Originally from Sweden, Linda shares how her childhood experiences exploring Swedish forests shaped her deep appreciation for nature as a teacher and guide. Now living and working on Wurundjeri Country, Linda beautifully intertwines her background in Nordic Forest pedagogy with Aboriginal perspectives in her teaching practice. Despite being based in Melbourne's urban centre, Linda has led her kindergarten children on more than 30 excursions to...
info_outline
S5 EP05: Cultivating Country: Why Bush Tucker Gardens Matter in Early Learning Environments
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this illuminating episode of Educator Yarns, we welcome back Bec from Bush Kindy’s Australia for an in-depth conversation about Bush Tucker Gardens in early learning environments. Together, Jessica & Bec explore the profound educational value these spaces offer and address a common challenge observed across many services: the tendency for Bush Tucker plants to be underutilised, neglected, or misunderstood. Bec shares her wealth of knowledge about why these gardens matter, how they connect children to Country, and practical approaches to establishing and maintaining meaningful native...
info_outline
S5 EP05: Cultivating Country: Why Bush Tucker Gardens Matter in Early Learning Environments
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
In this illuminating episode of Educator Yarns, we welcome back Bec from Bush Kindy’s Australia for an in-depth conversation about Bush Tucker Gardens in early learning environments. Together, Jessica & Bec explore the profound educational value these spaces offer and address a common challenge observed across many services: the tendency for Bush Tucker plants to be underutilised, neglected, or misunderstood. Bec shares her wealth of knowledge about why these gardens matter, how they connect children to Country, and practical approaches to establishing and maintaining meaningful native...
info_outlineIn this deeply engaging episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica Staines and co-host Belinda Huntriss explore the intricacies of curriculum planning within the framework of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs).
As both delve into the significance of incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures across all educational levels, listeners are treated to a wealth of knowledge, experience, and practical advice.
This episode, centred on curriculum planning and its role in the reconciliation journey, promises to shed light on making meaningful and impactful changes in educational environments.
Key Takeaways:
· The Essential Role of Curriculum Planning: Understanding its significance in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across all learning areas.
· Requirements and Expectations: Highlighting the importance of teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories as a required component of the curriculum.
· Moving Beyond Fear: Encouraging educators to step beyond apprehension towards implementing cultural studies into their curriculum planning.
· Conducting a Curriculum Audit: The benefits of auditing curriculum documents to identify inclusion opportunities and areas needing enhancement.
· Resource Creation and Auditing Practices: Insights into creating and auditing educational resources to ensure authenticity and cultural appropriateness.
· Utilizing Australian Curriculum Guides: How curriculum guides and elaborations can offer concrete suggestions for incorporating Indigenous perspectives.
· Innovative Lesson Examples: Sharing creative approaches to integrating Aboriginal perspectives into various subjects, including science and sustainability.
· Resource Gaps and Recommendations: Discussing the importance of a balanced representation of Aboriginal people and culture in educational materials.
· Engagement with Community and Cultural Protocols: The value of community consultation and co-design in developing culturally responsive curriculum.
· Reflection and Professional Growth: The importance of ongoing reflective practice and seeking expertise to enrich curriculum content with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
By focusing on a single, significant area of reconciliation action - curriculum planning - Jessica and Belinda uncover the challenges, successes, and transformative power of integrating Indigenous knowledges into everyday learning.
Educators, curriculum planners, and anyone involved in shaping the educational landscapes are encouraged to listen, reflect, and incorporate the insights from this episode into their practice for a more inclusive and reconciliatory educational journey.
Resources & full episode show notes: https://kooricurriculum.com/blogs/news/educator-yarns-season-4-episode-5-foundations-for-the-future-curriculum-planning-and-reconciliation