Emma Davis
Parnngurr Community School, WA
Martu
Teaching Fellow
Teaching in one of the most remote schools in Australia, Emma is transforming the lives of Martu students through a culturally responsive, whole-child approach. Emma teaches at Parnngurr Community School, 370km east of Newman in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. She works with First Nations students, a majority of which have varying learning needs. In this highly complex setting, Emma co-delivers a Two-Way Learning program that integrates Martu ecological knowledge with Western science perspectives — balancing on-country learning with high expectations for academic progress.
A strong advocate for student agency and wellbeing, Emma leads a range of initiatives that ensure her students arrive at school ready to learn, from running daily meal and hygiene routines to delivering trauma-informed practices and targeted phonics programs. She uses a whole-school data wall and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to monitor student growth, with many of her learners progressing from well below age expectations to at or above cohort level.
Emma also plays a vital leadership role within her school and across the broader network of Aboriginal Independent Community Schools. She has co-presented on the use of data walls in remote education, supports new teachers in this remote context and shares her knowledge with her peers. Her recent work includes helping facilitate students access to variety of medical services, helping organise mental first-aid qualification for the local community and supporting family engagement through culturally meaningful events.
Currently undertaking a Masters in Education Leadership and Curriculum, Emma is driven to grow her impact and bring new ideas and networks back to her community. Her passion, adaptability, and deep commitment to equity make her an inspiring force in remote education.