S4 EP11: Community, Culture, and Classroom: Building Connections That Educate
Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch
Release Date: 05/21/2024
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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 compelling final episode of season four of "Educator Yarns," co-hosts Jessica Staines and Belinda Huntriss, renowned for their work with Indigenous perspectives, thoroughly explore the implementation and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early childhood education.
The episode explores Outcome Five of the EYLF, storytelling as a tool for education and cultural continuity, the importance of authentic resource selection, and the need for genuine community engagement.
Jessica and Belinda discuss practical approaches to incorporate these rich cultural histories and perspectives into everyday educational frameworks, ensuring they are not confined to occasions like NAIDOC Week but are celebrated and acknowledged consistently throughout the year.
Key Takeaways:
· Cultural Storytelling: Storytelling remains a vital cultural practice that offers an engaging method for teaching and preserving Aboriginal traditions.
· Consistent Integration: It's crucial for educators to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across all curriculums and not just during cultural observances.
· Resource Selection: Choosing appropriate, culturally sensitive books and materials helps deepen students' understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultures.
· Community Engagement: Establishing and maintaining relationships with local Aboriginal communities enriches educators' approach and authenticity.
· NAIDOC Week Education: NAIDOC Week serves as a prime time for focused cultural education but should also act as a catalyst for ongoing cultural engagement.
· Resource Auditing: Regularly assessing teaching materials for appropriate cultural representation ensures educational content respects and accurately reflects Indigenous cultures.
· Contemporary Representations: Educators are encouraged to highlight both traditional and contemporary depictions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives.
· Professional Growth: Ongoing professional development is necessary for educators to adequately critique and employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
· Annual Reflections: Leveraging events like NAIDOC Week should renew and invigorate commitments to integrating Indigenous perspectives in education continuously.
This episode offers invaluable insights for educators aiming to weave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives respectfully and accurately into their teaching practices. Jessica and Belinda bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, providing listeners with practical advice and thoughtful reflections on enhancing cultural competency within early learning environments.
By absorbing the lessons shared in this episode, educators can take actionable steps towards fostering more inclusive and culturally aware classrooms. The discussion underscores the importance of routine reflection on educational practices and continuous engagement with both historical and current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Resources & full episode show notes: https://kooricurriculum.com/blogs/news/educator-yarns-season-4-episode-11-community-culture-and-classroom-building-connections-that-educate