Anonymous #130

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #130

Where are you located?

Western Australia

What type of area do you live in?

Regional or rural

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?

Action 1 - Targeted National Campaign needs to also address misconceptions regarding teachers (i.e. excessive holidays, easy work hours, "babysitter" status)

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?

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Double-edged sword - if force too much learning and pressure down line onto pre-service teachers then less will graduate, but those that do will be more prepared.

Other priority area actions may flow through to improve pre-service teacher confidence. (an improvement in public status of teachers, as well as reduced teacher workload)

Some universities still have a system of failed practicum = immediate cessation of course. This leads to excessively high pressure on pre-service teachers, rather than a supportive learning environment with the understanding that teachers are humans, may need to work outside of practicum to support themselves or have other individual circumstances. It also does not factor into the occasions where the placement school or supervising teacher is not ideal for that pre-service teacher.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

These measures do not explicitly limit or reduce the time that can reasonably be expected to be given by teachers for the heavy data collection and testing expectations that have become school norms, and place undue pressure on students and teachers.

These measures do not limit or outline the administrative expectations for individual education plans to differentiate for students - when are they required and how often should the be reviewed.

Extra pay or time in leiu does not create more hours in the day, and this is the overall problem of teacher burnout - money is an incentive to teach, but the workload and expectations above teaching constantly increases and teachers will burnout regardless of how much they are paid.

If you ask any teacher whether they would rather more money, or reduced class sizes and additional education support time, the second option would well out perform the first as at the end of the day we care about our students and their wellbeing as well as our own. Throwing money at teachers will not fix the system that is burning us out.

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?

A lot of developing and establishing, that may help but only if teacher workloads and reasons for leaving are consistently monitored and addressed.

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

One national model will help with teachers transferring between states and territories, and being recognised for their skills.