Resource People in the Classroom

Extract

Some members of the Central Queensland Aboriginal Corporation for Cultural Activities recently attended an in-service seminar. The focus of the seminar was on the teaching of Aboriginal students. The group identified a number of concerns relating to the participation of resource people in the classroom. These matters are given wider circulation in the interests of making more effective use of the valuable expertise which is available in the Aboriginal community.

Perhaps the key concept amongst the list of concerns is that of empathy with the Aboriginal visitors to the classroom. A clear understanding of the skills, life experience and the guest speakers preferred means of relating to children will help to ensure a productive and satisfying outcome both for the speaker and the students.