Anonymous #179

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #179

Where are you located?

Australian Capital Territory

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?

College

What is your occupation?

Business Manager

Elevating the profession

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I commend all the work that has gone into the review and action plan on the National Teacher Workforce Shortage.
Teachers take on very important and influential roles in our community and for our young people and to support their wellbeing is critical now and moving into the future when the demands on teachers is increasing and community mental health in declining. As a Business Manager who supervises 32 Admin and support staff I would like to provide feedback on the need to consider school staff as one entity and one team. Current terminology and communication used foster a divide in schools and do not consider the admin and support staff in schools working alongside teachers every day to support students and improve the wellbeing and learning outcomes of our young people. I present this feedback, not to diminish the work and stress on Teachers, but to express the need to acknowledge and consider the staff working alongside our teachers equally dedicated to schools, students, parents and community. I also note there is a shortage of admin and support staff in numerous roles including but not limited to LSAs and BSOs. Shortage of LSAs especially impacts on teaching staff when support is not available. I ask that the government take a wholistic approach recognising all school staff and the workload they and stresses they share.

1. Teachers and all school staff should be recognised for their roles and contributions in the school setting. For example, Our college Careers practitioner provides 100s of students careers and experience opportunities each semester positively impacting students learning/careers pathways and teaching staff workloads.

14. Funds for pilots are a great idea and through this approach new and innovative ideas can be discovered that could be implemented nation wide. I also would like to note that there is opportunity here to consider the structure of our schools and the implementation of more social workers, psychologists, admin and support staff, and fit for purpose software systems.

15. Better systems including software and reporting requirements to BSSS, families and directorates. Consideration to admin and support workloads

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 agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I commend all the work that has gone into the review and action plan on the National Teacher Workforce Shortage.
Teachers take on very important and influential roles in our community and for our young people and to support their wellbeing is critical now and moving into the future when the demands on teachers is increasing and community mental health in declining. As a Business Manager who supervises 32 Admin and support staff I would like to provide feedback on the need to consider school staff as one entity and one team. Current terminology and communication used foster a divide in schools and do not consider the admin and support staff in schools working alongside teachers every day to support students and improve the wellbeing and learning outcomes of our young people. I present this feedback, not to diminish the work and stress on Teachers, but to express the need to acknowledge and consider the staff working alongside our teachers equally dedicated to schools, students, parents and community. I also note there is a shortage of admin and support staff in numerous roles including but not limited to LSAs and BSOs. Shortage of LSAs and student services admin staff especially impacts on teaching staff when support is not available. I ask that the government take a wholistic approach recognising all school staff and the workload they and stresses they share.

15. Better systems in place including software (Sentral increased workload), streamlined reporting requirements and partnerships with BSSS, families and directorates. Some teachers in a college setting (with a full line load and popular classes) have over 180 reports to write each semester. What incentive do teachers currently have to do a good job and provide classes lots of students want to access? at this stage they are rewarded with more workload. Consideration to increase and utilise admin and support staff to free up teachers to teach, however these staff are already over loaded and this needs to be done with consideration to their workloads, training and remuneration.

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?