Anonymous #048

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #048

Where are you located?

Queensland

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)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

Student teacher - finishing mid 2023

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The best advertising for a job/product is WORD OF MOUTH. Right now I do not hear happy teachers and the negativity turns people off.

I am currently about to finish my Masters in Teaching (secondary - maths/science). It took me two years to start studying because of all the bad press a teacher job gets. And I have teacher friends who are always working on the weekends and holidays - why would I want to do this job??? (By the way the only reason I started studying is because I hoped the government would do something and I plan to only work part-time so that I can have a decent work-life balance)

Improve teachers jobs so that they talk positively and proof the profession - they are your best advertisements

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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?

I am a Masters of Teaching student coming from a mining background so in my previous job I worked very hard and long hours. I recently completed my Praxis 2 in a state high school in [REDACTED]. I was horrified at the lack of time available for planning, the amount of work required to do then to have to go in and teach 25-30 students in a way that is inclusive and catering for individuals, managing behaviour and making it engaging. Honestly, I nearly quit after one week - I was burnt out and I looked at the teachers and honestly thought I don't want this work-life balance. I continued because I knew this Action Plan was coming and have faith there will be change.

For good quality, student focused and differentiated teaching, teachers need more time to plan - simple. And less students in front of them in the class specially if there is a lot of differentiation and behaviour issues. teachers need to 'get to know their students', 'differentiate' and 'provide individualised learning', - surely doing this for 22 is very different to that of 28! It is extremely mentally draining and now wonder there is huge amount of teachers quitting after 5 years.

Because I see my teacher friends working nights/weekends/holidays and from what I saw on Praxis, I plan to only work part-time so I can have a decent work-life balance. Pretty crazy to think I am planning this for a profession.

Most importantly teachers need more planning time. Secondly less students would be a huge benefit.

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.

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

When I first asked a teacher about becoming HALT her words were something like this - 'there are not many around and it is so much work you almost have to have time off'. Then my supervising teacher from Praxis 2 said she had just completed her application for Proficient (she has been teaching for 22-24 years overseas) and said the amount of work particularly for a graduate teacher was too much. I actually couldn't believe my ears. I am studying hard right now, then I finish and start teaching and I am told the first year is extremely busy and hectic and then I have to submit another application for being 'Proficient', and always be leaning and doing PD. I wonder, how am I going to do all this. Actually writing this feedback is putting me off teaching again...... I absolutely loved being in the classroom with the students but getting there and staying there seems extremely difficult which is crazy, and in my 20 years in other professions I have never felt like this. I can totally understand why this profession is stuggling.

So much work for recognition when teachers are already working extremely hard and struggling to balance work-life. I see teachers prioritising students through planning rather than putting in application for HALT.

Honestly, this definitely needs to be streamlined or another process introduced. There is constantly just too much work expected - trust that most of your teachers are doing a good job and provide recognition without hours and hours of additional work for an application.

As a students teacher it is very disheartening; I can see why students do not even finish this course.

I have a Bachelor of Science, Hons in Physical Science, Cert 3 Education Support and never felt like this during my studies.