Educator Yarns with Jessica Staines & Bec Burch

In episode four of Educator Yarns, Jessica Staines from Koori Curriculum and Belinda Huntriss from Freshwater Education delve into the crucial topic of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in educational settings. With a focus on the practical application of Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) actions and the enrichment of early learning environments, Jessica and Belinda offer...

Welcome to Episode 3 of "Educator Yarns," where hosts Jessica Staines and Belinda share their expertise on bolstering Early Education environments through Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) initiatives. In this episode we delve into practical ways educators can visibly demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, care for country, and support Indigenous businesses. Here's...

Welcome to another enriching episode of "Educator Yarns," where we delve into the essence of integrating Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) actions into early learning settings. Hosted by Jessica Staines, and joined by esteemed co-host Belinda Huntriss, an advocate for Aboriginal education, we embark on a journey to uncover practical strategies, shared experiences, and insightful discussions aimed a...

Dive into a Educator Yarns Season 4 Episode One with Jessica Staines, the visionary behind Koori Curriculum, and her deadly co-host Belinda Huntriss, a trailblazer in Aboriginal education. This episode marks the beginning of an innovative season for "Educator Yarns," setting the stage for a series of compelling discussions on integrating Aboriginal perspectives in early learning environments. Disc...

In this episode of Educator yarns, Jess shares the plans for what's coming in 2023 for Koori Curriculum. Jess advises that Yarning Circles are back for 2023 in a new virtual format, that will be available for out-of-school care and early learning. Koori Curriculum will also be continuing our Programming & Planning Seminars into 2023. This will cover: How to get your team on the same page Goal Sett...

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jess talks with Victoria Edmond from Rainbow Bridge FDC and Big Hearted Education.  Jess and Victoria yarn about some of the barriers that FDC face with embedding Aboriginal perspectives in Family Day Care services in an authentic way. They discuss where educators can find resources that are budget friendly and how they can make connections in Community. Victoria...

In this episode of Educator Yarns Jess shares her tips for setting and achieving goals. Jess always maintained a consistent view since starting the Koori Curriculum, which is that most educators want to include an Aboriginal perspective in their program and develop culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities but don't know what to do and how to d...

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jess speaks with Micelle King, a proud descendant of the Worimi Nation and early childhood educator. Michelle shares reflections on her family's past and the generational trauma that is a direct result of Australia's White Australia Policy which prevented her Grandmother from attending her local school - the one in which Michelle later attended as well as her own...

In this mini episode of Educator Yarns Jess shares the many ways that educators can get support from Koori Curriculum.  No matter your budget Koori Curriculum has resources and support that can help you on your journey to embed an Aboriginal perspective in your centre.

In this episode of Educator Yarns Jess chats with Sandra Dos Reis & Kathryn Albany from Deborah Little Early Learning Centre. Sandra and Kathryn share with Jess their journey in moving from 'we don't know how' towards confidence, the power of mentoring, how they built connections with community, the way they work with children on Country and how their embedding perspectives and approaches are not...

In this mini episode of Educator Yarns Jess reflects on inauthentic Aboriginal art. It's important for us as educators to review our procurement processes to ensure that we are being ethical by showing reciprocity and remunerating artists for their work.     There are many inexpensive and ethical ways that educators can procure art such as purchasing Aboriginal art calendars, poster prints and pos...

In this episode of Educator Yarns Jess chats with Brodie Vallence, co-owner of West Coast Family Day Care Service. Jess and Brodie discuss how Educators use cultural items and practices that are appropriate for only boys or girls within their practice, the role of educators and parents in developing a RAP, how Educators can avoid being tokenistic and how you can approach and build relationships wi...

In this mini episode of Educator Yarns Jess shares her top tips for Family Day Care services on how to embed Aboriginal perspectives in their curriculum. Jess provides clear and easily actionable tips to start on your journey from finding your 'why' to confronting your own fears and hesitations and the best way to just start.

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jess is joined by Shelby from Homegrown Learning Studio. Shelby shares some ideas about embedding First Nations perspectives into early learning, some of the struggles of embedding First Nations perspectives within the family daycare environment and the historical failure of education services in recognising First Nations culture and cultural history and the impa...

Getting momentum with Aboriginal programs can be easier said than done. However, being intentional with your program, planning and practice does help in getting traction. In this mini-episode, Jessica Staines shares some suggestions to help you get started and overcome some common obstacles.

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica discussed with Casey Goodman the importance of getting management on board with your Aboriginal programs. Casey shares how having full organisational advocacy is a key metric to the success of embedding Aboriginal perspectives successfully in your centre's curriculum. Casey Goodman is an Early Childhood Teacher at Gowrie Victoria Broadmeadows Valley, Earl...

At the Koori Curriculum, we encourage the embedding of Aboriginal perspectives using children's interests as a way of contextualising culture instead of teaching about Aboriginal culture as if it is a topic, theme or interest. In this mini episode of Educator Yarns shares how you can scaffold children's interests around Dinosaurs including an Aboriginal perspective.

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jess chats with Angie Camilleri about how she has embedded an Aboriginal perspective into the Explore and Develop Penrith South curriculum. Angie shares with Jess how they built their cultural capabilities, their journey, how they relearnt history and how their curriculum choices have bought them to where they are today. Angie Camilleri is an Early Childhood Teac...

At Koori Curriculum we are often asked what the best books to share with 0-1 year-olds that can assist in embedding an Aboriginal perspective. In this mini episode join Jessica Staines as she highlights her top reads for infants. 

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica Staines is joined by Rhi Sugars to discuss embedding Aboriginal perspectives with infants. Rhi Sugars is a passionate disability advocate and someone who identifies as having a disability. She has been an early childhood educator for fifteen years, spending much of that time working with children with disabilities and those who have experienced childhood...

Are you wanting advice on how you can connect and work respectfully with your local Aboriginal community? If this sounds like you then listen in to our mini episode with Jess Staines as she shares advice and strategies on how you can work in respectful partnerships with Aboriginal families and communities.

Join Jessica Staines as she dives into critically reflecting on what the 26th of January means and how your team can respond. Jessica shares reflections and provocations to help aid pedagogical debate and discussion with your colleagues and ignite change for January 26th.

In this episode of Educator Yarns, Jessica Speaks with Rebecca Burch, educator and leader at Pottsville Community Preschool located on the Bundjalung Nation, Tweed Shire, Northern NSW. Rebecca discusses her Nature Explorers program which provides nature-based learning to not only the children of her service but to the broader community as well. She talks passionately about using nature as her cata...

On The Educator Yarns today, Jessica speaks with New Zealand educator Nicky and her experiences as a linguist and sign language interpreter within the Australian education system and Aboriginal communities Nicky speaks in detail about Two-Way Learning and the process' by which children and educators are considered both teachers and students on equal footing. She also discusses the importance and e...

Today's Guest on The Educator Yarns is Primary School Teacher and Author Cathy Hope to talk about her work and study into string figures and string games. Drawing upon her wealth of knowledge and research, Cathy talks about the universal use of string figures in many first nations communities around the world but specifically how the use and similarities of the string figure designs are found and...