Letter to the editor: Teaching from the heart


Letter to the editor: Teaching from the heart

Play all audios:


AdCommentOpinionCommentOpinionNews HomeHome PageNewsSportNoticeboardTributes & FuneralsClassifiedsExplore TravelLifestyleRecommendedQuick LinksToday’s PaperAccess The Canberra


TimesNewslettersViewJobsNetworkVideoView real estateMy RegionPress Releases from AAPContact usHelp CentrePrivacy PolicyAbout usThe Canberra TimesBay Post-Moruya ExaminerMagnetMerimbula News


WeeklyNarooma News Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited content, as well as The Canberra Times app.


View Subscription OffersBega District News' complete view of propertyHome/Comment/OpinionLetter to the editor: Teaching from the heartUpdated July 3 2019 - 4:56pm, first published July 2


2019 - 8:00amUpdated July 3 2019 - 4:56pm, first published July 2 2019 - 8:00amFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyBOOK LOVERS: Rotary's Winter Book Fair will be held from July 5-7 at the Bega


Showground pavilion, opening at 9am each day and closing up at 1pm on the Sunday.Teaching from the heart Teachers in remote schools are the unsung, unappreciated heroes of education. They do


it tough everyday which is why they have a high burnout rate and why remote schools are so hard to staff. Decent housing and food are at a premium. All the services us city people enjoy are


just a dream. So why do they do it? To make sure that underprivileged kids in these areas get a chance to achieve their dreams through education. This is teaching in its purest form because


all these wonderful people teach from the heart. Remote schools are unique and they vary according to the cultural differences and living conditions in isolated areas. These schools need to


be treated differently if they are to enjoy success. This is not to suggest standards and expectations should be lowered because on the contrary remote schools require the highest quality


school leadership and teaching.


Subscribe now for unlimited access. Login or signup to continue reading


50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperAll other regional websites in your areaContinue A few years back I visited a remote school and that visit


has changed me as a person forever. I had a very disadvantaged traumatic upbringing and my peer group were in Underbelly, but nothing prepared me for what I experienced.


This town is 400km in either direction from anywhere. It has a single small service station that sells junk food. The nearest doctor is the flying doctor. Role models have visited there


about once in the last 10 years.


As a father of three and grandfather of 11 the first thing that hit me was there was no sparkle in the eyes of many of the children, just a look of sadness and resignation. The adults I


encountered had the same look.


I don't have all the answers. No-one does or it wouldn't still be happening in one of the richest countries in the world. But what I do know is all the Indigenous Australian people,


especially the children of these schools and communities, need to know they are valued for who they are and that people care. I am one of those people whose is unable to just walk away when


I see people in pain or trouble. I had no idea what my life would be after retirement but I think I know now.


I did a keynote speech at a golf day that raises money to send books to disadvantaged Aboriginal Australian communities. All night long people kept coming up to me with more resources. There


was also a charity auction at which a gentleman bid $600 for a telescope and then gave it to me for the children because I had mentioned they had an interest in space.


In writing this article I didn't seek the opinions of theorists, academics, researchers or bureaucrats, but those who live it every day - the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian staff


of remote schools.


The majority of teachers who end up in these schools are teachers in their very early years of teaching. They have great intentions and are educationally well-equipped. However they are


vastly underequipped for the realities of teaching in a remote school.


There needs to be a specific course or a large section of teacher's course devoted to teaching in remote schools. It needs to not be just about the educational components, but giving


prospective teachers a survival kit for working in remote schools. For example, these courses or parts of courses need to have Aboriginal Australian people from these communities talk about


what things must be observed. They also need experienced teachers from these areas to talk about their experiences and what they have learned. At the end of it, a two-week work experience


stint in a remote school like how teachers do a practicum now.


One of the biggest issues for the children and the communities is the short tenure of teachers. The optimum result would be for very experienced teachers coming towards the end of their


careers to spend a minimum of three years in one of these schools. This would entail large incentives, for example higher wages, housing, bonuses and regular paid trips back to their other


homes.


We can never go back and make a brand new start, but we can start today and make a brand new end.


Frank Pearce, Bega


ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyMore from OpinionTrump sees the republic smell a lot like bananaI grew up idolising truckies. Now it's my turn to give them a liftNo commentsThe key to


ending racism? It's right here in these PMs' speechesNo commentsI've seen devastation wrought by alcohol firsthand. Putting more ads on TV will not helpNo commentsThe burning question about


renewable energyNo commentsIt's not weak to speak: Mark's message to brave first responders everywhereNo commentsNewsletters & AlertsView all Daily


Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team.


Loading... Weekly


Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.


Loading... Weekly


Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.


Loading... Weekdays


The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.


Loading... Weekly


Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am!


Loading... Weekly


Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.


Loading... Twice weekly


The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.


Loading... Twice weekly


Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.


Loading... As it happens


Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks.


Loading... Advertisement


Ad Advertisement


AdAustralian Community MediaACM WebsiteConditions of UsePrivacyTerms and Conditions - Digital SubscriptionTerms and Conditions - Newspaper SubscriptionBega District NewsContactAbout


UsWorking With UsToday's PaperHelp CentreOur SitesViewView InsuranceBeevoBusinessPlace an AdClassifiedsCarsTributes & FuneralsCelebrationsPromo CodesAgTraderMeHelpFarmer's FinanceGarage


SalesSubmitSend a Letter to the EditorSend us your news