19 July 2024
Two Aboriginal educators passionate about making a difference at regional public schools have been awarded a life-changing teaching scholarship.
Jessika Coenen and Jasper John are the recipients of the Bob Hawke Aboriginal Teacher Scholarship for 2024. The scholarship will support them to complete their teaching qualifications.
Jessika Coenen is the AIEO at Dalyellup College and Maidens Park Primary School.
The aspiring secondary teachers are currently working in the public education system, with Ms Coenen an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer at Dalyellup College and Maidens Park Primary School, and Mr John at Broome Senior High School as part of the Teach for Australia program.
Ms Coenen, a proud Aboriginal woman born and raised on the spectacular Wardandi country with ties to Koreng and Wilman country, was awarded the undergraduate scholarship.
She is currently completing her teaching course at Charles Darwin University.
Ms Coenen said she was honoured and grateful to be the recipient of the scholarship.
“My current role as an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact to student lives. As a teacher I will incorporate my passion for Aboriginal culture everywhere I go to create a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander students. I hope to ignite the curiosity of all students to learn and acknowledge the land they live, learn, and play on,” she said.
“I hope to be an inspiring teacher to all students. I hope to make a positive impact on their lives and educational journey. As a proud Aboriginal woman, I hope to evoke students to have pride and passion for Aboriginal culture.
Jasper John is a teacher at Broome Senior High School and is part of the Teach for Australia program.
“Education is important to me as it is the first stepping stone to becoming the best you can be. Education is so important as you never stop learning in life and the world is full of so many amazing things to discover.”
Mr John, the postgraduate recipient, is undertaking his teaching course at the Australian Catholic University.
He is a proud Aboriginal man who grew up on Yawuru country in Broome and has ties to Nyikina country in the Western Kimberley.
Mr John said he hoped to teach two-way science and share his passion for the subject with students in Broome.
“I feel very humbled to receive this scholarship, which has helped me immensely through the financial pressures of studying whilst having a young family,” he said.
“I have been able to get much needed study resources, materials, and attend professional development in Perth.
“Education is hugely important to me; it is vastly important to surviving and thriving in today's world. Knowledge is how we, as Indigenous people, are able to keep our culture alive and look after country.”
The annual scholarship is named in honour of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s lifelong support of Indigenous rights and aims to increase the number of Aboriginal secondary teachers in Western Australia.