Anonymous #361

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #361

Where are you located?

Victoria

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?

School leader

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?

All workers should be recognised for their work. The new agreement has now created another fraction between schools and the community. Things we did in the past after hours have been impacted due to the cost associated with Time in Lieu. Budgets haven’t been adjusted accordingly. If schools were to operated ‘business as usual’ you would have many school running in deficit at the end of 2023.

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.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

You may get more teachers initially interested in teaching however once they start they will still be hit with the massive workload and most likely the drop out of teachers will continue. The expectations for teachers has gone beyond the delivery of the curriculum. The major stresses that I have seen increase in a short period of time:
Documentation - in a leaderships role this has increased at least 50% in the last 3 years.
Planning
Communication requirements - phone calls, IEPs, SSGs,
Mental health issues increased - teachers, students and parents (limited support available due to ridiculous waiting lists externally)

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Although in general we are seeing well skilled teachers coming into the industry this tends to be only in the area of curriculum knowledge. Many new teachers still need huge support in the area of classroom behaviour management and communication skills.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

With the new agreement this initiative is extremely challenging. All PLCs must run after hours and you now cannot direct ‘non face to face’ time for teachers. This adjustment has increased headaches for school leaders and impacted our ability to focus on our AIP goals.

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?