Anonymous #183

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #183

Where are you located?

South 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?

Early childhood education and care

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I don't believe that the majority of my colleagues would be influenced to stay in the profession by 'awards ceremonies'. I feel that using awards as incentives encourages and attracts the wrong kind of people to the teaching profession. We need teachers who are committed to the kids and improving their learning outcomes, becoming a champion to a kid, not their own notoriety. We (teachers) feel undervalued because we are held responsible by government and by parents to ensure every learner improves the same and this is not real! Some children are going to be very slow in their learning progression journey, they will be valuable citizens once their strengths are realised, but cannot be compared with high achievers. It takes all kinds to make the world go around!

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?

Fast-tracking the VISA process for teachers from OS is a great initiative and one that can be actioned immediately, so congratulations for that! Attracting teachers BACK into the profession will be the hard one because they know what a hard job we have and how much of our own time we put into the job with no thanks or appreciation (unless you are lucky enough to have one of the few appreciative Line Managers) and no TOIL. Making it easier to get into teaching as a high-school leaver is not the answer either. I have heard too many times, "I don't know what I want to do at Uni so I'll put down teaching cos it's easy to get into:. Then we end up with thousands of qualified teachers who's hearts are not in the job, and we NEED teachers with their hearts in the job!

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

New graduate teachers are NO-WHERE near school/preschool ready! The course needs a major shake-up and needs to include ongoing placements of at least one day per week in a site (various sites) from day 1 through to the end of the course - a bit like nursing in some universities. On the job training is always best!

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?

Maximising teacher assistants as just that - teacher assistants! Teachers should be doing what they are trained for, teaching. Teacher assistants should be doing that - assisting teachers. For example, as a preschool teacher currently, I am taking my turn to clean paint pots and make glue at the end of the day and the assistants are writing observations on children, analysing them and preparing follow-up activities. Digitial role marking, common reporting templates and reduced data collection (only collect data that is informing the Statement of Learning (end of year preschool report) is absolutely necessary. More collaborative teaching time is required during NIT time - difficult I know, but crucial. There is a lot of reading xpected by teachers which does not fit into the working week meaning it is expected that we work on our weekends and evenings. Eg the new Preschool and School Curriculum Resources being rolled out in SA. We are expected to read and familiarise ourselves with these documents during our own time.

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?

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Induction for new leaders is shockingly inadequate in SA. I was a Preschool Director for 5 years and my induction was a 3 hour handover of a paper document that had been quickly prepared by the previous very busy Director as she finalised her role at one site at the same time as she was familiarising herself and preparing documents for her next site. Insane expectations. I was reprimanded about purchasing a new photocopier without following the protocols that I had no idea existed as I was a new site leader. Becoming a HAT should not be too easy, but rather be awarded via a portfolio of evidence collated over several years, preferably from several sites, therefore inclusive of input from more than one principal.