Anonymous #429

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #429

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?

Secondary

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?

Laudable message and aim but is there evidence that supports the effectiveness of this type of initiative? The Teach or Australia program has had extremely limited success, and state level campaigns such as "State Schools, Great Schools" have not ameliorated the steady decline of teacher morale or exodus from the profession.

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?

After reading the entire document I must conclude that this action will be ineffective. Remuneration and workload are of importance to many teachers and support but competitive, limited opportunities to address these are not helpful and indeed may further demotivate individuals from joining the profession. Current teachers consider these approaches the antitheses of our collegiate profession and impossible to deliver fairly.
Additionally, the failure to even acknowledge the openly disrespectful and hostile treatment of teachers by students will once again profoundly dishearten many in the profession.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Vague statements with no realistic content suggesting how this will be achieved.

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?

Presupposes that workload is the primary pressure leading to teachers leaving the profession. It may be a major factor but ignoring the mistreatment of teachers by students and parents as an issue is an egregious omission. Disruptive students, whose behaviour is ignored or even enabled by policies that fail to recognize any student or parent agency and responsibility, lead to low morale, mental stress and the desire to leave the profession.

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.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Not everyone wants the additional responsibilities and workloads that these roles invariably require. They also lead to problems with merit and equity. Teachers want to be recognized for content knowledge, effective teaching skills and collegiality. Few teachers care to be held up as exemplars of professional practice as the nuances of effective classroom teaching are often inextricably linked to individual skills, personality, experiences and strengths. Some may be transferable, but collegial learning occurs organically in schools regardless.