Anonymous #073

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #073

Where are you located?

Tasmania

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?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Awards and public recognition is nice. However, the greatest way to elevate the profession is to improve working conditions and trust in teachers. Teaching is a complex and nuanced art that is currently being reduced to tick-a-box competencies. Teachers need to be trusted to be able to understand and implement research in the context they work. We need time to do this and the trust that we can do it. Giving teachers more time to do this is essential. Reducing the paper trail and tick-a-box admin is also crucial. This is what respect looks like.
Treating a profession like slavery does not improve its status.

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?

I think they will support this. However, if we do not fix the workload and stress problems by giving greater access to in class support, admin support and mental health services, teachers will continue to leave in droves. How will this support retention in the profession?

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.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I welcome the signs of reduction in Instructional Load. I note that this strategy is largely about continuing existing strategies. It is important to have nationally aligned strategies so States and Territories are not disadvantaged.
Any initiative that is truly going to reduce workload and maximise time to teach requires more bodies on the ground. More admin to complete arduous paperwork, more social workers and school psychologists to support and assess students, more TAs in the class to support student learning, more staff to undertake duty of care and supervisions, more relief staff so teachers aren't covering for colleagues or collapsing classes. Teachers are currently doing the work of at least 5 people. Increasing support and admin in schools is the only way to maximise time to teach.

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?

HALT accreditation most certainly needs to be stream lined. At the moment it is actually impossible for a full time teacher to complete. Particularly if that teacher works in the public sector. Until HALT is tied to remuneration, it remains a meaningless accreditation.