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 pageGoal SettingRevisiting and getting the most out of your RAPAccountability and how to share responsibilitiesProgramming and planning processes to successfully embed Aboriginal perspectives in your curriculum Koori Curriculum will also be developing specific content and programs for out-of-school care and Family daycare educators.

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 also shares her journey in her own service and why she believes it is important to share with children. The last 15 years of Victoria’s life have been spent doing what she loves – working in early childhood education. She has worked across multiple disciplines in before and after school care, long day care, and finally settling into family day care which led her to the path of starting Rainbow Bridge Family Day Care Service in 2013. Working with her educators, she was faced with their everyday challenges. From this point, her passion grew to help educators release their frustrations around programming and assist them to get the many thoughts out of their heads and onto paper – that’s why she created the Big Hearted Education Planner! Finally, a book that has everything educators need to help them to be completely prepared and express their flair and creativity. We’ve also created a range of courses, such as The Essential Elements, The Profitable FDC and the Kickstarter Course, to support educators in their journey to empower them in being the best educator they can be. When she is not focused on serving her community of educators, you can find her singing and spending time with her hubby and children.

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 do it. They are fearful of doing the wrong thing, offending someone or being stereotypical and tokenistic. Jess outlines a common sense approach to these issues to help get Educators out of their analysis paralysis and into action.

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 children and grandchildren.  Michelle King is a proud descendant of the Worimi Nation and was raised on Karuah Aboriginal Community on her traditional Country. Michelle has worked in early childhood for 25 years in the roles of Director, Teacher and Educational Leader and taught in adult education for 15 years at a University and TAFE level and delivered on the Deadly Teacher Strong Jarjums project funded by NSW Government. In her professional and personal life Michelle has strived to build awareness, understanding and capacity for her mob through every opportunity that comes her way.

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 a tokenistic pedagogy. Sandra is a director, teacher and passionate advocate for inclusion. After working in early childhood, she completed her degree in 2016 and has been teaching ever since. Her work at Inner West Council now involves leading a large centre with many educators, driving positive changes along the way as she engages with children, families and the community. Kathryn has been teaching since 2019, after realising the impact that early childhood educators had on her own children. She has led projects on diversity and nature pedagogy with children and colleagues. Kathryn is enthusiastic about sharing her pedagogy and practice with colleagues.

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 post cards.

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 with community and Elders in a respectful and appropriate way that respects their time and knowledge, yet works within a small budget. Prior to embarking on a career in Early Childhood Education and Care, Brodie had a long career within junior development and professional sport, and high level management and officiating. Brodie was WA’s first Female surfing head judge. For the past 6 years Brodie has immersed herself into the Early Childhood Education and Care sector making her experience instrumental in the operations of the West Coast FDCS. Brodie is passionate and determined that Indigenous perspectives are embedded within early childhood education, and this is reflected within West Coast and the way she raises her own children. Her knowledge of the National Regulations, Family Assistance Law and the NQS drives the governance that West Coast FDCS delivers to the Educators. This knowledge supports all aspects of practice for both the business and our Educators. She loves working with people and places great value on the relationships within the business, between the Service, Educators, children and families alike.

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 impacts that can have. Shelby is an Early Childhood Educator who lives in Perth, Western Australia. She has worked in early childhood education for 10 years, in traditional commercial early learning services. In the last year Shelby has started her own family daycare service called Homegrown Learning Studio. You can connect to Shelby and Homegrown Learning Studio via Instagram www.instagram.com/homegrownlearningstudio.

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, Early Childhood Australia National Reconciliation Advisory Board member and Early Childhood Australia Victorian General Committee member. Casey has previously featured on Season 2 of the Educator Yarns podcast and has shared her experiences and perspectives in the Educator Yarns: A Collection Curated by Jessica Staines. Casey has had extensive experience leading Reconciliation work and working at all levels of the sector to create meaningful and lasting positive change and outcomes. Having previously held a dedicated role in an early childhood organisation, focussed on achieving and maintaining positive Reconciliation outcomes, Casey has been able to support and mentor staff, lead the creation and publishing of a RAP and embed a culture of learning, acknowledgment and celebration. Currently, as an Early Childhood Teacher and non-Indigenous ally to First Nations peoples, Casey embeds Aboriginal pedagogy into the everyday learning environment and her daily teaching practices. Casey carries dedication, passion and commitment to building sector wide changes to providing culturally safe and supportive early learning and care environments and curriculums for all children. In 2021 Casey was awarded the ECA Barbara Creaser Young Advocate Award recognising her leadership, advocacy and vast contributions to the Reconciliation space at all levels of the early childhood sector.

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 Teacher. Angie is currently the Educational Leader at Explore and Develop Penrith South and works at supporting and building the knowledge of the educators. She has been working in Early Childhood for around 13 years, as well as having a Bachelor's in Early Childhood, she is currently studying to receive her Master's in Primary Teaching degree with a specialisation in History and Geography. 5 years ago Explore and Develop Penrith South began their journey of embedding Aboriginal perspectives into their learning spaces and curriculum with extension support from The Koori Curriculum. Over time, they were privileged enough to be awarded the first Narragunnawali Excellence in Reconciliation award in 2017. Angie also went on to present, alongside her co-worker, at the Aboriginal Early Childhood Conference in 2019.

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 trauma. Since the birth of her son, a proud Wiradjuri young person with multiple disabilities, Rhi has focused her advocacy work on promoting the importance of cultural identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with disabilities and the benefits of including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in inclusive learning curricula and physical environments.

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 catalyst for learning as well as the educational value found in nature enquiry and of course the power of Dadirri, a deeper more spiritual connection to Country.

Today on The Educator Yarns, Jessica speaks with Cecelia Wright, Kaurareg woman, of Thursday Island, owner of Cultural Inclusion, about her work sharing and educating others about the lives and customs of the Torres Strait Islands and their people. Cecelia’s love and deep connection to her country is on display as she discusses the importance of spirituality, community and connection to one’s village as foundations of the Torres Strait Island people and their day to day. Cecelia yarns about how these ideals can be shared and recognised within your own community, through song, festival, and family.