Anonymous #019

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #019

Where are you located?

New South Wales

What type of area do you live in?

Regional or rural

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?

I am a parent completing a Masters in Teaching (Secondary Business Studies). I have a lot of experience in the workforce starting my career in banking as a young adult, I was then head hunted to work for a University in my early 20’s within accounting and finance. I completed a degree in Accounting and Finance whilst working full-time in my role at the University. I received a position in government within Accounting and Finance prior to my final uni marks being released. I was 0.33% off receiving honours in my degree (my young cousin passed away which took a toll on my marks). I am now a parent and my priority is to get a pass only in my Masters as my child deserves a mother who can play and spend time creating a beautiful family. Hence, I am not eligible for a scholarship. Personally, I would not be applying as I don’t intend on setting foot inside a classroom until government recognises the long term effects of covid and starts putting protections in place, to protect my health, the childrens health and the wider communities health. No position is worth mine and my families long term health. Don’t overlook the parents out their that are aiming for passes with industry experience and nurturing parenting experience by seeking top students only. If University was my only priority, I am more than capable of receiving high distinctions too.
Also, from experience the school I am zoned to is extremely toxic. It was an awful environment for both myself as a parent and my child. Principals and teachers should be role modelling respect and kindness. That is far from the type of environment my child and I experienced. The bullying among principals and staff needs to stop, the bullying among teachers needs to stop, teachers bullying students needs to stop, teachers bullying parents needs to stop and hopefully by role modelling respect and kindness (children being punished is not respecting children) may allow students a better chance of learning how to treat other students with the hope of minimising bullying among students as well. The schooling culture needs a total overhaul. Gentle and nurturing staff will make the environment a nice place for staff and students.

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?

Like I said previously, covid is my number one reason why I am not teaching now. I am homeschooling and have slowed my Masters studies as I do not wish to enter an unsafe workplace with no covid protections. Mine and my families health are the most important thing to me. Reducing work loads. I decided to use my previous banking, accounting, finance and parenting experience to have a change of career into an industry that would allow me to work parent friendly hours. I was looking for a work life balance. I am a great trainer in the workplace and an even more amazing parent with an abundance of patience. This is what has lead me to teaching what I am passionate about (Business/economics/accounting, etc). I will not be receiving great marks in my Masters as that is not my priority. P’s get degrees and allows me to also be the most amazing and nurturing mother. We should not be overlooked.
I do not wish to step into a toxic working environment either. I want to be treated as an equal, with respect and kindness at work, otherwise I am much better off going back to being an accountant.
Micro-managing is not my kind of workplace either. Give me the power to teach without feeling judged or micro-managed. Let me have the space to be the beautiful, kind, caring and nurturing person I am to my future students, my fellow colleagues and principal. Let me received the same respect and kindness in return as well from colleagues and the principal.

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?

As I’ve previously stated. I will not be completing my Masters until government does something about this ‘let it rip’ approach. My health and my families health are of the utmost of importance, more important than my career. I too can be a great teacher if I am considered given I will only be receiving a pass. I don’t want to be taking work home all the time. My time after work is my time with my family. The workplace needs to be flexible so teachers can be a family first and a teacher second.
I do not wish to step into a school with the current toxic environments schools are. During my Masters, us teaching students are told to leave school as soon as you finish “don’t stop in the car park” talk with colleagues. I don’t feel I need to elaborate on the sort of toxic conversations that supposedly go on in the school car parks amongst school staff. The school culture starts at the top. The right people need to be at the top of the hierarchy, otherwise these toxic cultures will remain.
Smaller classes, outdoor classrooms and teachers aides would be ideal. Outdoor classrooms are not only great to minimise spread of viruses, but also great for Indigenous students as they often can feel intimidated in classrooms and they would be working on country.
I am also feeling overwhelmed by the whole process to applying to become accredited as a teacher. This needs to be streamlined and simplified so as not to deter potential teachers.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Reduce the paperwork. I’m studying to be a teacher and all children develop at their own pace. Let teachers teach and not become administrators as well. Let everyone enjoy their time in the classroom without being assessed every moment. Reduce the stress and anxiety for all.

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?

Not effective at all

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?