Dr Jessa Rogers

Biography

Dr Jessa Rogers is a Wiradjuri researcher and Indigenous educator with over fifteen years of teaching experience in schools and tertiary education. Jessa’s research focuses on Indigenous research methods and methodologies, and Indigenous peoples’ experiences of education. She was the founding principal of Australia’s first boarding school for Indigenous young mothers and babies in Far North Queensland. She has been a Fulbright Scholar (Harvard University), a Churchill Fellow, and was awarded a National NAIDOC Award for her contributions to Indigenous girls’ education. Jessa’s research draws attention to the voices of Indigenous students, with a specific focus on Indigenous boarding school experiences in Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and mainland USA.

Jessa is the Managing Director of Baayi Consulting. She serves on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the Centre for Policy Development Board, and the Pearson First Nations Advisory Board.  Jessa is a member of the ACCAN Indigenous Advisory Group, and serves on the Aboriginal Australian Studies Journal Editorial Board, among other boards and committees.

Jessa has extensive experience in pre-service teacher education. She has contributed nationally to Indigenous education programs including the 3Rs Framework, MATSITI and Narragunnawali (Reconciliation Australia). She is the co-author and co-editor of best-selling education texts including “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education: An Introduction to the Teaching Profession” (3rd Ed) (Cambridge University Press), and “Teaching: Making a Difference” (4th Ed) (Wiley). Jessa’s work in schools as a teacher spans primary through high school, and her many years of community engagement in Indigenous communities across Australia has led to her voice being nationally respected in Indigenous education. Jessa writes for IndigenousX, NITV, SBS, The Guardian, and The Conversation, and frequently contributes to media stories on Indigenous education.

Jessa is the proud mother of three sons. Her whanau (family) connections through marriage are to Ngati Kauwhata, and Ngati Raukawa in Aotearoa. Jessa speaks te reo Maori, and is passionate about supporting Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Maori (Maori education), and Kaupapa Maori research methodologies and approaches. Jessa currently serves on the board of Hato Paora College, a Maori boarding school in New Zealand.

Jessa's publications can be found here.