Anonymous #108

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #108

Where are you located?

Western Australia

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

It is important to recognise the value of teachers and the important role they play. However, spending money on PR is not going to affect the day to day workload for teachers. Unhappy and overworked teachers are vocal and no advertisement will be able to drown out the voice. Basically, if teachers are not promoting their career and are unhappy, this is the voice that will be heard. Make teachers happy and the word will spread and students will start to consider it as a viable option again.

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.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

It's great to lure people into the industry with money. You also need to address the people leaving the industry and also ensure that those you have lured in, stay for the long haul. Don't lower the entrance requirements. this just devalues the profession even more.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The quality of mentoring provided by teachers assessing Practicum Teachers needs to be reviewed to ensure the Prac teachers are being adequately mentored and properly assessed. Longer term placements for students to observe quality teachers, develop relationships and possibly undergo professional learning and observations in the school where they are placed. Behaviour management is a priority in our current context and this requires longer times in the class to observe others.

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?

In my 16 years teaching the amount of time I have to actually focus on quality teaching has reduced by such that I rarely get time to reflect and review my teaching. Time for quality feedback is rare and my mental and physical health has suffered. Teaching is fast becoming an untenable option for me and that is a shame.
The strategies you have mentioned for WA have made no difference to my workload. The offer of TOIL is discretionary and relies on the Principal deeming the work to be worthy of TOIL. There is never a good time to take TOIL and the teachers often end up working during that time anyway.

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?