Education Symposium for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pre-Service Teachers- held on 8 May

The Victorian Department of Education, the School of Education and the Institute of Koorie Education have been involved in a number of different projects and events aimed at supporting the attraction, recruitment, development and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pre-Service Teachers into Victorian Government schools.

One of the key events was our inaugural Education Symposium held on Wednesday the 8th of May. Funding provided by the Department enabled us to have 3 excellent IKE graduates present to the pre-service teachers.

Mark Corrie     (2007)                          Principal Tyrrell College, Sea Lake

Nikki Hood       (2014)                          Teacher- Bruthen Primary School

Jaime Humphrey (2015)                     Teacher- Langwarrin Primary School

Topics covered included:

  • Why teaching, the journey taken and the importance of relationships
  • Engaging students
  • Introducing a local language- Gunai Kurnai into a primary school
  • Supporting students and their families
  • Applying for jobs, registration and mentoring
  • Being empowered to succeed as a teacher

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and students quickly connected with the 3 presenters and were engaged and attentive throughout the day.