Topic: |
Indigenous Aerospace Initiative (I.A.I.) Swan District W.A. |
Background: |
This is a unique concept for secondary school youth to be implemented at Swan View Senior High School, which is situated in a low socio-economic district. At the end of this exploratory year, the school aims to begin with the full Year 10 cohort in 2011.
The I.A.I. is founded in the profound action ‘educare’ (to lead forth) which is often perceived only as schooling and irrelevant curriculum. However, this strategy draws out content from the very critical life matters experienced by the community and their youth. These young people are disengaged from positive community life and education. The implications for this are the acknowledged issues relating to a cycle of disadvantage.
Aerospace is used as an exciting tool for change and high achievement.
It aims to promote academic rigor, aspirations, and an informed career pathway into a wide scope of professions (not just ‘a job’). The Project Coordinator, Anne DeSouza, has conducted many years of research into similar projects to identify and address the challenges of the past and incorporate what has been successful. The exploratory project work is done primarily in her personal time so as to maintain the integrity of the core principles. These are to promote sustained partnerships for change within the West Australian community, enable equity in the core business of education for all young people who do not have access to the best that is available, Indigenous ownership of projects, and actual personal involvement at the grassroots that enables authentic voice on this matter. In this manner all stakeholders achieve measurable sustained growth and successful outcomes for young people identified as ‘at risk’ and the broader community.
The long-term vision is to create a Gateway Schools scheme for the education providers of the Swan District in W.A. as was developed in Queensland.
The Project Coordinator is a mother and an experienced educator having developed education best practice based on the concepts of shared leadership, critical thinking, self-determination, inclusivisity and life long learning. She has accessed the professional development of prominent experts such as Edward DeBono, Lane Clarke and Stephen Covey. She has actively explored the concept of education during 25 years in the classroom and consultancy, in the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the justice system, resources industry and the private education sector in the metro area. Her work been acknowledged in a School Board nomination for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards, selection for research into Aboriginal literacy and curriculum design, and had her classroom used by university Training Teachers’ observation of best practice models. She comes from a strong family background in aviation, the resources and transport industries. Family members have each taken a different career pathway and continue to be highly successful people in their companies and community.
|
Comments: |
The Project Coordinator has made a conscious professional decision to focus her work to enhance the education of young people considered at risk.
|
