Rate My Professor Madison Rybka

Madison Rybka is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University, based at the Gold Coast campus. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) with Honours from the University of Newcastle (BTeach(Primary)(Hons) (UoN)). As a proud Arrernte woman, Madison has over five years of experience in Aboriginal Education. She has led mentoring programs for teachers and initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Madison integrates Indigenous perspectives into teaching and creates inclusive learning environments. She is committed to empowering students and educators to achieve success while promoting respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Madison is a member of the Sustainability, Environment and the Arts in Education (SEAE) Research Cluster. Her research investigates the impact of an Aboriginal education course on pre-service teachers’ confidence and readiness to embed Aboriginal perspectives in their teaching practice. Despite curriculum mandates, many pre-service teachers feel underprepared and lack cultural knowledge for authentic integration. This self-study, employing a methodology grounded in Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, and Doing, examines the role of an Aboriginal educator in course design and delivery. Data is collected via reflective journaling, yarning circles, and student reflections, with thematic and Indigenous heuristic analyses, adhering to the AIATSIS Code of Ethics. The study identifies patterns in confidence, identity, and barriers, aiming to inform pedagogical strategies, teacher education programs, and Indigenous leadership in curriculum design for culturally safe classrooms. She presented this at the SCPA PRAXIS 2025 conference. Madison also appeared on the Transforming Teaching Podcast, discussing practical strategies for integrating Indigenous perspectives into early childhood education respectfully.