Anonymous #201

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #201

Where are you located?

New South Wales

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?

Primary,Other

What is your occupation?

Other

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?

The perspectives of children, adolescents or young professionals were not included in the drafting of this national action plan, even though these changes will ultimately impact their education and schooling experiences. Young people who are in school or who have recently graduated must be consulted to share their perspectives on the role and impact teachers have on not only their academic performance, but also their health and wellbeing.

In addition, this action plan overemphasises academic performance as a key indicator for determining 'best and brightest' teachers. This term can be perceived as condescending for in-service teachers- as if it is implying that they are not already bright.

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 disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I am someone who scored in the top percentile in the ATAR and chose to complete a bachelor of primary education. I also unfortunately left the classroom. My story is not unique. There are many teachers who score way higher than the ATAR cut off for teaching who enter the profession, yet leave. There is a far larger problem in retaining teachers than recruiting them.

The plan does mention its intentions to retain teachers such as reducing the overtime workload. However, many more root problems to must be adequately addressed in this plan, including:
- redesign national assessment systems, including the ATAR system and NAPLAN, which often add to the workload and stress of teachers
- stronger support for both student and teacher mental health and wellbeing. This includes increasing the number of school counsellors for students, supporting teachers with professional development on trauma-informed approaches, and supporting teachers who experience psychological, sexual or physical violence in schools
- reduce the number of students per teacher (classroom sizes)

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The actions highlight that pre service teachers will be used in classrooms to assist in service teachers with the workload. However, there is no mention of whether these pre service teachers will be paid for their work. Pre service teachers often have to take significant time off work to complete their practices at the moment.

Teacher education must also adequately address behaviour management and whole school approaches to promoting a safe and inclusive school. Feeling unequipped to address challenging student behaviour is often a key driver for teachers leaving the profession within the first 5 years.

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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?