Anonymous #397

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #397

Where are you located?

Victoria

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?

Special education

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?

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?

Tying graduates to areas until their HELP debt is paid off would help to encourage them to put roots in that area and stay.

Increase disability education in coursework to better prepare new teachers for their workplace.

Increase field experience with students with disabilities.

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?

Mandatory disability education in coursework-90% of students with disabilities are in mainstream education. Teacher professional development and training in this area is inadequate.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Professional practice days are important for staff teaching, learning and getting ahead of the workload. If teachers are to be retained we need to reduce their workload outside of school hours and in holidays. Continuing to provide professional practice days would do this.

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?

Teachers should be supported with an education support officer at all times. They are valuable resource that reduces stress, workload and improves educational outcomes.

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?

Teacher roles should be able to be acknowledged without having to go through an interview process. Teachers who are responsible for implementing and coordinating whole school programs shouldn’t have to apply for learning specialist positions, schools should be able to appoint them without penalty.

Professional development on disability education and inclusion should be mandatory. Many teachers lack knowledge and experience on how to work with students with disabilities.