Developing strong relationships with Aboriginal students, families, and communities

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the importance of building relationships with Aboriginal students, their family, and wider community. Being able to effectively communicate and interact with Aboriginal students, their family, and community requires the development of strong and sustainable relationships that are built on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. Student success and engagement in education is supported by the combination of quality teachers and the relationships that they have formed with their students. The level of diversity of Aboriginal culture across Australia also reinforces the importance of establishing such relationships, as the experience and cultural understandings that will present will differ from one community to the next. This chapter provides insights and personal experiences of how they have developed successful and effective relationships with Aboriginal students in both classroom and community settings. This discussion also includes the incorporation of Aboriginal learning styles and content in teaching and curriculum development with the aim of improving educational outcomes and learning experiences. The process also involves knowing and understanding the student and the issues that they may face, from time to time.