Overcoming the Fear of Getting it Wrong When Teaching Aboriginal Education
Many teachers experience fear when teaching Aboriginal content and perspectives. They worry about using the wrong terminology, making mistakes, or unintentionally offending someone. This fear can be so overwhelming that it leads teachers to avoid including Aboriginal perspectives or delivering content superficially.
Like all subjects, teachers have a responsibility to be informed and confident. You can conquer this fear and use it as motivation to learn, grow, and engage with Aboriginal content in meaningful ways.
Why Do Teachers Feel Afraid?
Teachers are already under a lot of pressure which can be unmanageable. This includes juggling a detailed syllabus, differentiating lessons, finding resources, and keeping up with policy changes... and that’s before mentioning student wellbeing or report writing! With so many competing demands, delivering Aboriginal content can often seen as an "add on" rather than an integral part of teaching.
When the voices of Aboriginal students are left out of the learning experiences it can have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing.
Barriers which contribute to this uncertainty teachers feel are:
A lack of knowledge from their own schooling - Many teachers never received a strong foundation in Aboriginal histories, cultures, and perspectives at school or university.
Misinformation, racism, and stereotypes against Aboriginal people- Negative portrayals in media impact both teachers' understanding and Aboriginal students' self-esteem.
Fear of causing offence - Teachers worry about unintentionally misrepresenting Aboriginal knowledge or offending students, colleagues, or community members.
Limited support - Some schools lack strong policies and leadership on Aboriginal education, leaving teachers unsure how to proceed.
Time and budget constraints - Many teachers want to do more but feel limited by funding, resources, and professional development opportunities.
As a result of these barriers, teachers may avoid the topic altogether or deliver Aboriginal content in a disconnected way, further silencing Aboriginal knowledge in schools.
Building Confidence: Action Above Fear
Rather than letting fear hold you back, use it as motivation to learn, engage, and teach with confidence.
Here are some strategies to help:
Commit to learning - Take responsibility for seeking out reputable sources, whether that is government agencies, universities, the Human Rights Commission, and Aboriginal-led organisations (some examples are provided at the end of this blog post). Read, listen, and reflect through stories, books, articles, podcasts, and professional development opportunities.
Build relationships with your local Aboriginal community - Engaging with the local Aboriginal communities ensures that content is culturally appropriate and relevant. Reach out to Elders, Aboriginal educators, and community leaders following protocols and procedures at your school.
Embed Aboriginal content from the start - Instead of treating Aboriginal perspectives as an "add-on," integrate them across all subjects from the initial planning stage in an authentic way – they are just as important as Western perspectives.
Take a strength-based approach - Avoid focusing solely on disadvantage or hardship (known as a “deficit approach”). Instead, highlight Aboriginal strength, resilience, innovation, and contributions. This shifts perceptions and helps students to feel proud of their culture.
Call out racism and be an advocate - Schools must have clear policies to address racism. As educators, we must create safe, inclusive classrooms where Aboriginal knowledge are valued and celebrated. This means calling out bias, stereotyping, and exclusion and ensuring that Aboriginal content is taught with respect.
You Can Rise Above: Do It for the Future
Fear should never be an excuse to leave out Aboriginal education. Instead, rise above this fear for your students, your school, and future generations. Commit to learning, connect with local communities, and teach with confidence.
Aboriginal education is for all students, in all subjects, at all times. By teaching Aboriginal content with respect and authenticity, we create a more inclusive, informed, and reconciled future for everyone.
You don’t need to be an expert overnight. Start small, reflect, and gradually build confidence. Small steps lead to big changes in embedding Aboriginal perspectives effectively.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The Excellence in Aboriginal Education Community is a supportive network of educators committed to embedding Aboriginal perspectives meaningfully in schools. It offers practical support, quality resources, and a safe space to ask questions, share ideas, and build confidence in teaching Aboriginal content.
By joining, you’ll connect with like-minded teachers and leaders working towards truth-telling, equity, and reconciliation in education. Whether you’re just starting or already leading change, this community will empower you to take action with confidence.
Let’s rise above fear, support each other, and create lasting change in Aboriginal education. Click here to find out more
Reputable Resource Examples:
Australian Journal of Indigenous Education https://ajie.atsis.uq.edu.au/
Australian Human Rights Commission https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice
Narragunnawali https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/curriculum-resources
Ngarrngga https://www.ngarrngga.org/curriculum
Reconciliation Australia https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
Further Reading:
Be That Teacher Who Makes a Difference and Lead Aboriginal Education for All Students by Kylie Captain and Dr Cathie Burgess (2022) https://www.kyliecaptain.com.au/store/p/h3ze6zci7wgqr39u11is6ppb16t7ju
Dream Big & Imagine the What If (2021)
https://www.kyliecaptain.com.au/store/p/dream-big-and-imagine-the-what-if-paperback
University of Melbourne (2022) - Professor Melitta Hogarth, 2024
ABC Education (2024) Liz Kupsch