Five Aboriginal educators have today graduated with qualifications as part of the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education (RATE) Tertiary program.
The RATE program supports Aboriginal educators who aspire to become educators in our schools and early childhood services.
Four of the five participants who are all from Galiwinku will receive an Undergraduate Certificate in Remote Education and one educator will receive a Diploma in Educational Studies.
Department of Education Chief Executive, Karen Weston said the five remote Aboriginal educators were amazing at studying, working, parenting and contributing to country.
“The participants are supported through the RATE program, which aims to build capacity of Aboriginal educators in remote settings,” she said.
The RATE Tertiary Program is delivered in remote communities including Groote Eylandt, Galiwinku, Yipirirya and Wooliana.
Graduate Sheena Gumbula said graduating for her was a big part of her journey.
“I wanted to show other young people that anyone can do it, anyone can be whatever they want to be,” she said.
Matthew Atu who also graduated said it was important to become a teacher in remote community.
“It’s an opportunity for me to take on leadership and support my people,” he said.
Ms Weston said the program created a talent pipeline that drove growth and future sustainability of our Aboriginal educator workforce in our education settings.
“Increasing the number of local Aboriginal educators at the front of the classroom results in improved student’ engagement, learning and outcomes,” she said.
“It also strengthens culturally and contextually responsive pedagogy, learning in first language and both ways learning.”
Local Aboriginal teachers provide continuity for student learning through an ongoing commitment to their communities, helping to increase engagement and provide experiences for Aboriginal students that make learning more meaningful, relevant, accessible and culturally responsive.
