Anonymous #099

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #099

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?

Primary

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?

In the past, teachers have been treated as glorified babysitters. The public perception of teachers must improve and treated as actual professionals, not lugged with every excuse as to why students are failing.

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 disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

In theory this action sounds good, but I have found that far too many initial teachers come into the classroom unprepared for the multitude of tasks that they will face in the classroom. There has also been a drop in student teachers having the necessary literacy and numeracy skills for teaching. If this continues to happen this will cause the general public to lose faith in the education system.

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?

This relies heavily on universities changing how they deliver education degrees for teachers. Too much emphasis is put on education theory, however this leaves teachers very unprepared for when they enter the classroom. There needs to be a huge change in education degrees in university.

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?

A major part of teacher burn out is the large number of 'other' tasks that they need to complete, not just teaching. In my 14 years of teaching the pressures of the job have increased and more time completing administration tasks detract from the energy needed to just 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?

Very effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Just how is this going to be done?

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?

This will help in recognising and supporting highly accomplished teachers. At the moment in my state it is easier to become a Deputy Principal than it is to become a Level 3 Classroom Teacher. When faced with a choice between the two, I know what I would prefer...