What is the Teachers of STEM Initiative? It is estimated that seventy-five percent of the fastest growing occupations now require Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills and knowledge (as reported by the Office of the Chief Scientist 2014). As noted in the report, students engaging with STEM education will develop in-demand skills that are relevant and highly valuable to … Read More

Results of the recent Stronger Smarter Institute Census show that Stronger Smarter alumni have an outstanding level of ongoing commitment to transforming Indigenous educational outcomes.    Stronger Smarter Institute, CEO, Dr John Davis said, “The results from alumni this year show the Stronger Smarter way of doing things becomes embedded into classroom practice.  The teachers who attend our programs show a … Read More

As the year draws to a close, we want to take the time to celebrate the wonderful work of our alumni. The results of our recent Stronger Smarter Alumni Census highlight that, despite the challenges all educators have faced this year, there continues to be an outstanding level of ongoing engagement and commitment towards transformation for Indigenous education. Our Census … Read More

Four school leaders in northern NSW describe how they have used strategies from the Stronger Smarter Specialists Program to deepen their understandings and skills to work with staff to build a culture of high expectations across their schools. Stronger Smarter facilitator Damian Bisogni has been talking to some of his colleagues in Ballina about how they are using the Stronger … Read More

The Stronger Smarter Approach Framework  There has been so much written about what needs to happen for transformative change in Indigenous education, but very little about ‘how’ we can achieve this.  The Stronger Smarter Approach provides a framework to lead educators through the ‘how.’  With this framework, we believe we can rewrite the narrative of our schools to one of engagement, … Read More

Our History   Since 2005, schools across the country have been implementing the Stronger Smarter Approach.  This began after the Institute’s founder, Dr Chris Sarra became the first Aboriginal principal of Cherbourg State School in the late 1990s.  Dr Sarra conceptualised the ‘strong and smart’ philosophy which challenged the whole school community to hold higher expectations for their children’s schooling and … Read More

Jardibirrijba group and facilitators at Redcliffe QLD First Nations Women have long been the strong backbone that provide support and structure to Indigenous communities across Australia. The Stronger Smarter Institute’s acknowledges this strength through a new initiative known as the Teachers of STEM Initiative (ToSI).     ToSI ‘s primary focus is to provide various supports and mentoring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to assist them in their journey to becoming qualified teachers specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Institute … Read More

Delta Kay Nation: Arakwal Bundjalung Currently working as an Aboriginal Education Officer with NPWS in her traditional homelands in Byron Bay. Delta’s stories have been handed down from her mother and her aunties. Her passion is sharing her Arakwal Bundjalung culture through story, dance and sensory experiences aimed at all age groups from early childhood to adults. Come, walk with … Read More

Sam Saunders Teacher School of Special Educational Needs ‘Most of the schools up here are Stronger Smarter schools so we all come from a common place and we all endorse those practices and high expectation leadership.’ Sam Saunders, Teacher Engagement Sam Saunders is a consultant teacher for the School of Special Educational Needs: Behaviour and Engagement based in Broome and works with schools across the Kimberley region.  Sam … Read More

Renee Matheson Principal St Augustine’s Parish Primary School ‘Stronger Smarter – it’s really about common language. It affirmed a lot of my feelings about teaching and education and it’s really about our students. If you’ve always got the students in your forefront, then nothing can go wrong for those kids’ Renee Matheson Renee Matheson has been the Principal of St Augustine’s … Read More