Anonymous #418

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #418

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?

Secondary

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?

Actions 1, 2 and 3 are frankly tokenistic.

Please consider the "more than thanks" campaign run by the NSW Teachers' Federation. This campaign succinctly articulates what many teachers feel. We are commonly well appreciated by words, not with substantial actions. I get thanked by my students at the end of most classes. I understand that renumeration and issues around time in-lieu are the resposnaibility of State governments, but it is alarming how this draft report doesn't incorporate any sort of national plan to encourage the improvement in renumeration.

Action 4 is a worthwhile goal.

I'll combine my feedback with that of action 27 which I strongly support. As a current HALT applicant, I can confirm that the process is laborious. My personal circumstances allow me just enough time to complete much of the application. If I had a family of my own and less free time, the task would be impossible. The targets are ambitious and won't be met if the program remains so laborious.

There should also be some sort of unified, national push to have HALT accreddiation recognised in both status and renumeration consistent across the country. If you want more HALTs, it needs to be funded.

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?

To inform my completion of this survey, I asked my Year 10 Civics and Citizenship class if they would consider a career in teaching and the resons why/why not.

Here is a summary of the reasons why they would consider teaching
- Become a teacher to help address the shortage
- Teaching provides opportunities to learn more about subject matter that interests you

Here is a summary of the reasons why they would not consider teaching
- Underpaid for the amount of work
- Underappreciated
- Working arrangements haven't become flexible since the pandemic in the same ways that other professions have
- Dealing with parents
- Lack of support from government
- Lack of patience
- Other careers are more appealing

This is a bright class with many high achieving students. Action 6 is on the right track but I don't think will be enough to change my students' minds about their career choices.

The other actions in this set are frankly band-aid solutions and will do nothing to improve the status of the profession nor the calibre of people choosing teaching as a career option. In fact, the status of the profession and calibre of graduates is likely to decrease further as a result of these actions.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Maximising the time to teach

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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?