Anonymous #468

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #468

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?

The actions seem focused on championing a tiny minority of teachers. I don't see how they would improve esteem for teachers in general.

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Whenever I see talk about attracting "our best and brightest", I feel insulted. Do you think that the problem is the current teachers aren't smart enough? I don't think that is the problem. The problem is the overwhelming workload and responsibility of meeting the needs of a diverse group of students in a system that wasn't built for all of them. It seems to me that teachers who succeed in the profession need qualities other than intelligence. Actually, a strong tolerance for not being able to do your job as effectively as you'd like is needed.

It's a very difficult job. Not just anyone can do it. I think there should be more focus on retaining the teachers who have shown they can. The main problem for teacher retention is workload. Everyone says it. I qualified as a mathematics teacher at the end of 2020. I got a permanent position straight away, but couldn't cope with the workload. Now I'm working as a relief teacher until I can figure out a new career plan.

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Workload is the main issue for teachers, so it's good to focus on it. I don't understand the proposed changes well enough to understand how these will have an impact. The listed item for Victoria (where I live) was already planned, so seems like nothing new. I don't know how to solve this problem, but please make sure to include teachers at every stage! They know the most about the work they have to do and are often left out of discussions.

One thing is: the mathematics curriculum in Victoria is vague and confusing. In implementing it, you need to read between the lines and fill in gaps that it leaves. This contributes to workload for teachers. The new ACARA curriculum is not great either. A better curriculum, written by people who are more knowledgeable about mathematics, could perhaps help teachers not have to work so hard.

Also, relating to workload... at schools I've worked at, teachers plan collaboratively for students working at the standard level. But then each teacher has to differentiate for students working at different levels, which is about a third typically. For instance, in teaching a Year 7 class, I would prepare Year 3, Year 5, Year 6, Year 8, and Year 10 level work – except not just at those levels, but modified to be age-appropriate and try to fill in specific gaps while also being matched to the current topic of the class. So much work! I don't know if there is a solution, but just thought it was worth mentioning.

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The worst part of teaching is filling out forms for accreditation and things like that. There is no way I would ever consider applying for HALT for this reason. Anyway, I am only a newly qualified teacher and won't make it that long. It doesn't seem relevant to any of the problems in retaining teachers.