In this episode, I sit down with Kerri Douglas, a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Bangerang descendant. Since 2014, Kerri has been employed with the Department of Education and Training Victoria as a Koori Engagement Support Officer, otherwise known as KESO.

In this episode we will discuss:

• What is a KESO (Koori Educator Support Officer)?
• What role does a KESO play in schools and community?
• How are schools assigned a KESO?
• How to find a KESO (ie, department of education and training)
• The region Kerri currently covers
• The importance of providing professional development in regional areas
• Do KESO's work with other organisations and how this happens
• LAECG - what this is and why it is important
• The challenges Aboriginal families in Kerri's allocated area are currently facing
• What support does Keri provide as part of her role
• How educators can start
• Kerri's process of implementing a 'culture audit' at the centre's she supports
• The importance of celebrating how far we have come in early childhood.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Koori Curriculum: https://kooricurriculum.com/