The MATSITI Aboriginal School Leadership Project aims to increase Aboriginal representation in school leadership positions. It was started due to a lack of Aboriginal principals, assistant/deputy principals, and teachers applying for leadership roles, despite Aboriginal students making up 3.6% of the student population. The project provides workshops, mentoring, and support for Aboriginal teachers to develop leadership skills. So far, 10 of 15 invited participants have completed the program. Outcomes include participants commencing master's degrees, applying for and obtaining leadership roles such as head of department, coordinator positions, and leadership programs. The project helps address barriers like a lack of role models while capitalizing on enablers like dedicated funding, encouragement, and an Aboriginal

1. MATSITI Aboriginal School Leadership Project
Kazue Akune & Norman Brahim, CEWA | #OurMobTeach

3. CEWA Situation
• 2700 ATSI students out of 77000 (3.6%)
• 31 Aboriginal Teachers in CEWA
out of 6016 (0.5%)
• 0 Principals
• 0 Assistant or Deputy Principals

4. Why the project started . . . .
No Aboriginal people in school leadership
positions
No Aboriginal teachers applying to
leadership development programs
A sense of “something wrong here” but no
reaction
MATSITI seeding funding provided a trigger

5. How the project started . . . .
Formulated a concept plan to develop
leadership in Aboriginal teachers
Applied for a seeding grant from MATSITI
Appointed a project manager
Developed the program
Invited participants

6. The project goals in a nutshell is about……
More Aboriginal Teachers………..
Assuming leadership responsibilities
Accessing leadership programs
Applying for leadership positions

7. Project Program Elements
Knowledge & Skills Development Workshops
Accreditation – encouraged and supported
Mentoring
Study – Master’s Degree
Problem Based Learning Project

8. Project Outcomes for Participants
1 Understanding of Emotional Intelligence (EI)
and its application in our lives
2 Greater understanding of what leadership is
and consider our role as a leader, an
Aboriginal leader within CEWA
3 Knowledge, skills and understandings to
apply in transition from classroom teacher to
leading teacher.

9. Project Outcomes for Participants
4 Connection with a mentor and with each
other to establish collegial networks. . .
5 Complete a PBL Project to apply our
learning.
6 Develop an understanding of the purpose
and requirements of accreditation and map a
plan to achieve.
7 Develop a personal career plan, which may
include commencement of study toward a
post graduate degree.

10. Barriers
Logistical issues for remote and regional
participants
Perceptions of Aboriginal teachers as leaders
Contented ; no considerations to take on a
leadership roles – focussed on teaching
Schools are the employers not CEWA

11. Enablers I
Funding –MATSITI and top up from CEWA
Intent from CEWA
Being invited to participate…Encouragement
and support from principals and colleagues
Having a dedicated project manager
Aboriginal managed

12. Enablers II
Program specifically designed by and for
Aboriginal teachers
Support of other Aboriginal teachers and
speakers sharing their experiences-modelling
Emotional Intelligence focus in program
Coaching/mentoring
Opportunity for developing career plans

13. Outcomes So far
10* of 15 invitees participated in the project
8 of 10 participants have commenced their
Masters of Education
One participant applied for Year Coordinator –
result pending
One participant successfully applied for a Head
of Department role. She then successfully
applied for Beginning Leaders Program (video)

14. Outcomes So far
One participant successfully applied for the
Emerging Leaders Program
One participant successfully applied for
Coordinator of Early Childhood Education
One participant researched and considered
applying for a principal role in a rural school
The Aboriginal School leadership Project is a
now integral to the CEWA Leadership Programs

15. Who am I?