Episode 23: Quality AE Support in Classrooms

Evelyn Carter

Hello and welcome back to Leading for Impact in Anangu Lands Schools! I'm Evelyn Carter, here with Liam Warragul and Dan Harrison. We've been on quite a journey through the year, talking about co-leadership, community voice, and building strong bilingual practices—and today we're zooming right in on something that's absolutely at the centre: high-quality Aboriginal educator support in classrooms.

Liam Warragul

Yeah, thanks Evelyn. I reckon this topic's long overdue. We've chatted before about co-leadership, but the everyday ways Aboriginal educators support classrooms—honestly, it can't be overstated, hey? They’re the bridge, really, between cultural knowledge and all the bits that go on at school. When that role’s strong and supported, everything else just works better.

Dan Harrison

Absolutely. And, look, I know from being in the classroom—I mean, sometimes it’s the little things. Like, when an Aboriginal educator translates a concept into Pitjantjatjara, or helps a student feel proud by recognising their cultural knowledge, suddenly that lesson just lands. It’s a spark you can’t replicate if you’re not from here.

Evelyn Carter

Exactly. Something I’ve noticed in schools across the APY Lands is that when students see their own culture and language truly valued in the classroom, they just light up, don't they? And it's more than engagement, really—it’s identity, belonging, that sense of “I see myself here.”

Liam Warragul

And on the flip side, if that support’s not there, you feel the difference straight away. Classrooms are less grounded, it’s harder for everyone—Piranpa staff especially—to get traction. So it’s not just a “nice to have,” it’s critical for real inclusion and learning. We covered this a bit when we talked about student voice and embedding language, but the Aboriginal educator role really makes those things possible.

Liam Warragul

It's so true... Anangu Schools cannot function without quality collaboration between Anangu and Piranpa educators. They are both critical to our schools' success.

Dan Harrison

Yeah, and I’ll put my hand up—I wouldn’t have made it through my first year out here without the support of the A.E.s on my team. They helped me avoid blunders, sure, but it’s more than that. They gave me ways in to connect with families, understand what was happening for each student, and, well, I guess just how things worked in the community. You can’t do that from a handbook.

Evelyn Carter

So let’s talk about that a bit—how AEs act as cultural mediators in classrooms. Liam, you’ve seen this bridging role in action, right?

Liam Warragul

Yeah, heaps of times. It’s not just language translation, either—it’s all the unwritten stuff. Like, who’s having a tough day at home, or which family’s got Sorry Business going on, or even just which topics are better handled gently this week. Aboriginal educators pick up on all that and help the Piranpa team respond with respect. Sometimes they’ll have a quiet word after class, sometimes it's mid-lesson, and the whole learning environment just gets smoother and warmer.

Dan Harrison

And it goes both ways, too. Students see that their world and their stories matter at school. Suddenly the curriculum isn’t some outside thing—it’s got a foot in both worlds. That’s what gets them to lean in, ask questions, have a go at stuff.

Evelyn Carter

There's such a ripple effect, isn't there? Students engage more deeply, but Piranpa teachers develop professionally, too. You start really learning how to build culturally responsive approaches, beyond just what you hear at PDs. It's lived, daily practice—if you let it be.

Liam Warragul

And that’s where school leaders come in. If you’ve got strong leadership support—principals teaming with Anangu Coordinators—to make sure Aboriginal educators have the right resources and are really included, that’s when the magic happens. It can’t just be “you help out in the class,” it’s got to be true partnership.

Liam Warragul

Yes, and the role of the coordinator is critical here. Anangu Coordinators really do have a tough job. They have to live and work in their community, and they have to help set and uphold high expectations of the Anangu Educators.

Dan Harrison

I wanna say something here about recognition, actually. Sometimes, the work Aboriginal educators do is just assumed—like it’s invisible, or “it’s just how things are.” But formal recognition, a seat at decision-making tables, acknowledgment in staff meetings—that changes how people view the work, and honestly, it lifts morale. If you want people to stay and grow, you’ve gotta value them as integral professionals, not just helpers.

Evelyn Carter

So true, Dan. And when we think professional growth, it’s about pathways, too. Access to training, leadership opportunities—whatever helps Aboriginal educators keep building skills and taking on new roles. That’s sustainable, and it recognises all the experience that’s already there in the room. Liam, have you seen really effective ways schools can intentionally support those pathways?

Liam Warragul

Team teaching is a big one. When Aboriginal educators and Piranpa teachers plan lessons together, you get such strong learning—on both sides! You pick up new strategies, new ways to explain things, and students get the best of both worlds. It’s no good if it’s just token—both should be genuinely leading parts of the lesson, not just standing at the back or translating.

Dan Harrison

Yeah, and having proper professional learning pathways makes a huge difference. If there’s regular training, chances for career development, and even mentoring for new staff—Aboriginal and Piranpa—it all feeds back in. When that happens, Aboriginal educators feel respected, and students see that their teachers and leaders value community knowledge as real expertise.

Evelyn Carter

Another piece, I think, is making the most of community connections. Aboriginal educators are often the link to families, Elders, and the broader community. If you resource that—give them time, pay, and the chance to build those bridges—school engagement really grows. It’s trust in action, not just talk.

Liam Warragul

You need leadership on the same page. The principal, the Anangu Coordinator, everyone—it’s a shared job to make sure Aboriginal educators are part of the school improvement plan, not just tacked on. That takes some intention, and a bit of rethinking sometimes.

Dan Harrison

Definitely. I’d say, if a school is looking for “quick wins,” there aren’t many—but this is an area where even small changes in recognition and support have a big impact fast. I’ve seen teams lift in confidence and commitment when it’s clear that their expertise is really welcome in the decision-making process.

Evelyn Carter

All right, before we wrap, let’s throw out a few reflection questions for leadership teams listening in. Because as we’ve seen in past episodes, improvement starts with the right questions. How are Aboriginal educators currently supported and recognised in your school? What systems exist for developing and supporting them? And, maybe most importantly, how can leadership ensure Aboriginal educators are fully included in decisions about teaching and learning?

Evelyn Carter

Yes... what is the plan for building the skills of the Anangu educators in the site?

Liam Warragul

Yeah—and what new opportunities or pathways could you create to really strengthen their professional growth? If you’re not sure, ask your team! They’ll have ideas.

Dan Harrison

And keep that ongoing dialogue—don’t just review this stuff once a year. Make sure it’s part of how you do things every term. That’s how Aboriginal educator support becomes a real strength, not just a tick-box.

Evelyn Carter

All right, that’s all for today on Leading for Impact in Anangu Lands Schools. Thanks, everyone, for listening—and Dan, Liam, thanks for your reflections. We’ll catch you in the next episode, so keep the conversations going in your teams and communities. Bye for now!

Liam Warragul

Good on ya, Ev. Thanks Dan. See you all next time!

Dan Harrison

Yeah, thanks both—see you in the next one. And folks, keep making that impact!