Anonymous #231

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #231

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?

Special education

What is your occupation?

Teacher

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?

There needs to be less negativity when talking about teachers in the media. It’s the only profession, that can be blamed for just about anything terrible that is happening in society. Teachers make wonderful scapegoats. The media love spreading negativity about the profession.

Teachers are apparently, terrible at literacy and maths and many can’t pass a year 7 NAPLAN test according to media. The entry score is so low, how do they attract high achievers into the profession. It goes on and on these myths exist regardless of the fact that all teachers have to pass university exams and the majority have to pass the ATAR to get into uni. Many teachers have prior careers and double degrees.

I note that If there is a problem within the community that requires education, the first thing that is suggested by the media or politicians is another program for teachers to deliver.

It is time that politicians and media looked at the drop in societal standards and the breakdown of the family. This is where poor literacy and numeracy starts. Politician need address this issue instead of blaming teachers.

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?

Paying teachers more to attract students with higher ATAR scores to enter profession is simplistic idea. The problem is keeping the teachers that have entered the profession.

I think they should

1. Employ more para professionals, level 4 to work alongside teachers in both special and mainstream schools. Pay level 4 education assistance significantly more. Give them more responsibilities to lessen the teacher workload. Currently the pay for a level 4 is not any higher than a level 3. There is little incentives for education assistants to move forward in their careers yet many have years of experience and are a wealth of knowledge. Those with 10 years + experience should be able to apply for level 4 positions.

2. Give senior teachers and level 3 teachers higher pay and extra DOTT . They are expected to do more and are given greater responsibilities.

3 Admin positions should only be given to teachers with 7 - 10 years + experience. It’s crazy that someone with 3 or 4 years in a classroom can end up as a principal telling teachers with 20 years+ experience how it’s done. Often teacher dissatisfaction can directly relate to lack of support and inconsistent inexperienced administrators.

4 pre-service teachers should have more on the job practise.

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?

Pre service teachers should be given extra prac and classroom experience.

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?

Employ more education assistants level 4. Pay them more and give greater responsibilities to assist with workload.

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?

I would like to see senior teachers and level 3 teacher get more DOTT and extra pay as they are expected to do more. I think the status of highly accomplished or LEAD teacher maybe given on the merit of who you know, not what you know. Who is going to decide who is highly accomplished?