Anonymous #009

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #009

Where are you located?

Queensland

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Primary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I would ask that teachers supporting students in low socio economic urban areas be recognized for their great work as well as the rural, remote and First Nations. Our students come to school without uniforms, adequate food or any school supplies at all and we find ways to make that work.
Strongly agree that access to HALT should be carefully examined as the huge amount of work (and cost) needed to submit an application makes it prohibitive for many who should be eligible.

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Pre-service teachers - especially those who are mature age students possibly transitioning from a different career - cannot be expected to undertake weeks of practical experience without any remuneration. Undertaking practicum is a very valuable experience but it shouldn't be at the expense of these people being able to pay the bills. In my experience over several years of mentoring many pre-service teachers, these mature age students are often way better than their younger counterparts with less life experience but severely disadvantaged by not being able to earn a wage for several weeks while they complete practical experience.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Strongly support the idea of supporting pre-service teacher early in their studies with Litercy and Numeracy especially those for whom English is a second language. These pre-service teachers have so much to offer to diverse communities but are hampered by their lack of skill in English.

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The complexity of the work situation for teacher in low socio-economic urban areas needs to be looked at. Due to the challenges faced by our families it is very difficult to have functional P&C to raise funds for resources which could potentially reduce workload.

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Moderately effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I strongly agree with looking thoroughly into why teachers, especially early career teachers, leave the profession.

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There is funding readily available to release very competent people to mentor early career teachers but in areas where supply teachers cannot readily be found this funding is not utilized.