In this episode, I sit down with Kerri Douglas, a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Bangerang descendant. Since 2014, Kerri has been employed with the Department of Education and Training Victoria as a Koori Engagement Support Officer, otherwise known as KESO.
In this episode we will discuss:
- What is a KESO (Koori Educator Support Officer)?
- What role does a KESO play in schools and community?
- How are schools assigned a KESO?
- How to find a KESO (ie, department of education and training)
- The region Kerri currently covers
- The importance of providing professional development in regional areas
- Do KESO's work with other organisations and how this happens
- LAECG - what this is and why it is important
- The challenges Aboriginal families in Kerri's allocated area are currently facing
- What support does Keri provide as part of her role
- How educators can start
- Kerri's process of implementing a 'culture audit' at the centre's she supports
- The importance of celebrating how far we have come in early childhood.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Koori Curriculum: https://kooricurriculum.com/
