Anonymous #470

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #470

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.

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.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There are a number of issues that are only partially addressed in this national plan. As a current STEM teacher watching many teachers leaving by the droves, and considering whether to join them, there are a number of things that need to be addressed at all levels.
1. Workload - there needs to be a lot of courage to make drastic changes to unsustainable workloads. Face-to-face teaching time needs to be reduced by a minimum of 20% to make the workload sustainable for experienced teachers.
2. Graduate teachers - there are a number of issues here that I want to provide suggestions for:
a) the disconnect between teaching profession and training institutions - I have supervised a number of university students and they are not prepared adequately for placement. There needs to be consideration of a internship style program where they gain experience throughout the year whilst studying, or be placed in schools for a full term, not disconnected periods of time of 1-2 days per week over 2 terms as I currently observe them doing. The current training does not provide them with a real sense of the day to day life of a school
b) Provisionally registered teachers - need to have a more significant reduction in workload in years 1-2. At least 50% workload reduction to allow sufficient time for proper mentoring, continued observation of experienced teachers, team teaching, potentially experience being a teacher aide, and LOTS of planning time. As the profession is increasingly complex these days, current reductions in workload are completely insufficient and create prime conditions for burnout. Mentors also need to be provided more time to help students. These rules need to be strict - I have heard of LOTS of exploitation by employers who overwork graduates who are too afraid to say no.
3. Attracting teachers back to the profession - I don't believe there is a shortage of teachers, there is a shortage of teachers willing to teach NOW due to the poor workplace conditions. Some decent financial incentives/bonuses for teachers who return/STAY in the profession e.g. a 5/10/15/20 year service bonus would be a good start.
4. Addressing the mental health load for teachers.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There needs to be more involvement of recently retired and current teachers in the education training process. There could also be a bridging pathway by employment of mid-career entrants as teacher aides in schools to provide more practical experience and training. Graduates are generally high quality but are overwhelmed by the pace and workload, so more exposure to school settings at this stage is crucial.

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?

Each initiative change is often passed on to schools with NO additional implementation time in a school day. Adjustments are often made outside of school days and are a significant additional workload.
Time in lieu is a great concept but is actually additional work - teachers need to provide work to students so they can take the time off work.
Additional administrative resources for communication, photocopying, marking and preparation of materials for ILP students would provide a huge difference.
There should also be consideration that schools need greater resources from mental health/allied health/social work services and greater links created within schools to free teachers up to concentrate on planning lessons, not welfare related issues.

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?

Discount HELP fees, provide more grants for hard to staff schools. Financial incentives are key here to attracting and keeping people in.

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 disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Please fix the workload and pay issues and you will see the retention rates in teaching skyrocket. Teaching is a rewarding profession but the workload is so hefty that it is damaging teacher well-being and pushing people out of the profession prematurely.
When I hear of teachers considering working in retail settings to have a better work-life balance that is a red flag. I hope that this government has the courage to make some drastic changes and listen to the wisdom of people at the "chalk-face".