Anonymous #225

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #225

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)

No

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?

While these actions obviously intend to elevate the status of teachers, they do not address the base causes of our deflated status. While the Australian government may not be directly engaged in the wage disputes of teachers, pay is the base indicator of value for a profession.
Full funding for our schools to show that education is valuable. The securing of recurrent funding as permanent positions, not just flexible funding would go a long way to indicate the importance of teaching roles and also of stability for our most disadvantaged schools.
Increased RFF and class sizes that reflect student needs are also vital to demonstrate understanding and respect for the work of teachers and the complex learning needs of students (which we are equipped to embrace when given the resources)

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?

While these actions obviously intend to attract teachers, they do not address the base causes of difficulty with supply. While the Australian government may not be directly engaged in the wage disputes of teachers, pay is the base indicator of value for a profession which will attract high performing students.
Full funding for our schools to show that education is valuable. The securing of recurrent funding as permanent positions, not just flexible funding would go a long way to indicate to prospective teachers that this is a secure job.
Increased RFF and class sizes that reflect student needs are also vital to alleviate extensive workload issues and reduce the burnout that serves at a red flag for potential teachers.
Extensive teacher scholarships and teacher housing (no teacher should move to the country and worry about accessing teacher housing - it should be a given) should be prioritised in order to attract teachers to difficult to staff schools.
Transfer systems need to remain robust and expand to support teachers in moving back to home towns and rewarding their service in towns far from home.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Need to make sure noone of these moves undermine the breadth and depth of study required to do this complex work.
Learn on the job style education courses must be avoided, but length and appropriateness of practicums must be considered. Many of our training teachers are a) not being supervised effectively because of the structure of their practicums b) working as a teacher while they are studying, extending their graduation dates out and impacting on their future wage growth C) struggling through practicums while still working normal hours due to insufficient Centrelink support for youth study.

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?

The NSW based quality time program does not account for increased workload - it is a flawed model and you must approach these state based systems with a realistic eye.
17 is important - no new policies without reducing workload in turn.
Be careful with the use of ITE students and paraprofessionals. Make sure this work does not undermine the work of teachers (eg by outsourcing programming or other essential work) or serve to burnout the future of our profession before they begin. You should also be careful to ensure that ITE students are not kept at lower wages for longer than necessary, and preventing their move up the salary scales.

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?

Recognising accreditation across state/territory jurisdictions should not serve to undermine the entry standards in any jurisdiction.

Eg. We don't want the (, very few!) Teach for Australia teachers to come to NSW and undo the work of elevating the profession

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Micro credentialling should be approached carefully and consulted on with union delegates. It may serve to undermine qualifications and our other professional learning and development.

Quality teaching rounds must be kept collegial, voluntary and supported by appropriate resources. It should not be an accountability tool or a way of enforcing or coercing observations onto members.