Anonymous #230

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #230

Where are you located?

South 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?

Early childhood education and care

What is your occupation?

Preschool Support, ECW2, Finance Officer

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?

Perhaps it would also be valuable to recognise educators and support workers for their skills and contributions. There should be more levels for early childhood workers to differentiate between qualifications and skill sets. Support workers are valuable to teachers, students families and communities as well and are often not recognised.

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There is limited support for staff already working in education to upskill and complete degrees. These people are leaving education and heading into disability, where there are opportunities for professional development.

Universities do not recognise the skill set that educators have, that have already been employed in the sector for long periods of time.

If we want to retain highly skilled educators, it is important to encourage staff with existing skills to extend on their knowledge and skill set. This will support the department in retaining staff.


I agree with action 8.- But who will this include? It seems that currently experienced teacher aides are not supported to transition into teaching roles as study support options are only applied to chosen individuals.

University scholarships are positive but Universities need to be reviewed into their teaching methodologies and amount of time students spend in placement is too limited.

Action 9
Perhaps we should focus on upskilling the staff we already have.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Action 10
One way to increase the current average of completion rate is to have improved RPL systems to recognise the skills of existing support staff in education. It is somewhat demorilising to study and regurgitate information when you are not actually learning.

Paid internships would be beneficial as this is also a reason why existing staff do not complete Bachelor degree because in this climate they cannot afford to feed their families when they do placements especially if they have their own families.


Action 11
Recognising previous study and work experience and transferrable skills would be a fantastic way to encourage existing staff to complete bachelor's degrees and retain already highly skilled staff in the profession. It mentions in this point that it will 'include measures to ensure First Nations people, career changers and para professionals can have their skills, expertise and prior learning recognised' Does this include existing support staff as well?

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?

More time for educators to do what they are skilled in and that is being with the children face to face and limiting amount of administration. Employ staff to complete administration.

Why do we fund our highest skilled educators such as Directors in kindergartens to engage in multiple administration tasks that could be completed by administrators?

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.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There should be action to improve career pathways support for support staff who have valuable skill sets, especially in relation to children's wellbeing and engagement and supporting teachers.