Anonymous #014

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #014

Where are you located?

Queensland

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?

Primary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Retention of experienced and passionate teachers doesn’t seem to be the main focus. Why? Because the problems created by many incompetent and spineless government bodies are the core reasons why teachers are leaving in droves and why this industry is no longer appealing. Governments know this, but are too egocentric to admit wrongdoings. Previous decisions made in regards to student behaviour by Australian states and territories have created environments that thrive on abuse. Teachers are expected to complete ridiculous amounts of admin work, but for what purpose? Nothing comes from the piles of paperwork completed by burnt out teachers. Teachers are expected to bow down to parents, and be at the ‘beck and call’ of parents, because bad data isn’t appealing for potentially future parents of students in state schools. State schools are disgustingly underfunded, and the further burden placed on teachers to cater for students with significant needs without support is killing the drive of teachers who once upon a time loved their job. Whilst some insight from teachers and leadership teams were considered when developing the national action plan, somehow there seems to be very little consideration of the poor conditions experienced by teachers, staff and children. Trauma is the word of today, and for good reason - most educators are experiencing this daily with no light at the end of the tunnel. We are constantly bashed verbally for how we manage extreme behaviours, but are barely rewarded for the successes we achieve. Training new teachers won’t work unless real change occurs - support and back your current teachers.

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about 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.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Retention will not be achievable until every education minister is prepared to support and back current teaching staff. Verbal and physical abuse in schools is evident everyday - no consequence is enforced due to further trauma that could be placed on the student abusing staff. Teachers are expected to stop teaching and converse with students on their well-being and how the teachers can better accommodate a student with behavioural problems. Leadership is no longer available for minor incidents - including swearing at a teacher or other students, threatening behaviour and/or damaging classroom equipment. Teachers purchase a lot of their own supplies, only for it to be damaged. The list goes on!

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?

Provide a safe environment for teachers - making it easier to attain HALT accreditation is useless unless teachers feel as though they can turn their back and not be attacked.