Advice for new teachers

Before the project was implemented, community meetings were held in Warmun, Kununurra, Yaruman, Balgo and Red Hill to develop advice for new teachers. The following is a list of the major points raised at these meetings.

• New teachers need to visit the parents and the community.

• New teachers need to be aware of the different culture of the students and be open to learning about that culture.

• Teachers should seek advice from community members about the places they can go in the community.

• If there are disciplinary problems the teachers should seek advice from the Aboriginal teaching assistant.

• New teachers should participate in the school bus run so that they can see first hand where the students come from.

• New teachers will need to be made aware of the names and words that are not used in the community so that they won't unwittingly cause offence.

• Teachers should not be reserved about speaking with and getting to know community members. If possible they should go out together on weekends.

• Community members should be involved in the classroom.

• The teachers must teach English well as the students want to be able to get a job when they leave school.