Anonymous #232

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #232

Where are you located?

Western Australia

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?

I agree with some of what is said such as awards being given but others such as the lead teacher certification means even more work for teachers.

Other things that could be done include providing society with incentives to respect the teaching profession that don't require teachers to do more work- not allowing students to treat teachers the cc way they do without consequences
- stopping students from continuing through school grades if they fail a year so that high school teachers aren't having to teach students years behind where they should be.
- allowing students more opportunities/alternatives to formal schooling when it is not what works for them
- encouraging schools to give jobs to teachers in their local community who already have relationships with the local families and children to encourage community building
- changing the application process for jobs so that it is not wholly relient on the written application process.
- making students more responsible for their own learning (they are responsible to hand in assessments and complete homework etc)
- changing the curriculum for English and Math at the lowest levels to incorporate and focus on more life skills rather than poetry and other areas these students won't need in life to keep them engaged

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?

These are all great initiatives but they haven't considered the rental crisis or the fact that there are other things that could be done such as
- employing teachers in their chosen field
- providing even more opportunities for teachers to change areas of qualification for teaching such as more short courses such as allowing early childhood teachers to study to teach primary, home ec grad cert and art cert etc
- allowing principals the ability to offer permanent positions to anyone that is awesome at their job even if it's an ect working in primary

I am very happy about the reintroduction of the pregnant teacher transfer pool

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

This is especially important as many new teachers definitely do not get the full support they need

Maximising the time to teach

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

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Until these are put forward this action is rubbish and says nothing useful

Teachers need more classroom support EAs with classroom management training
They need to not have to put up with student abuse in class/ refusal to work and constant disrespect
They need reduced workload
A broadening of the disabilities that get support in schools
Greater funding so that schools don't have to cut photocopy budgets and can afford to spend money on student exercise books etc
Less time spent being psychologists and having to contact parents about every little thing
More opportunities and funding for continued training
Ensuring teachers aren't made to do even more work through this initiative
Ensuring if teachers are working out of area then they are ensured greater support in programming and planning time

More support for students at educational risk
More alternative learning settings and reinstatement programs
Ensuring funding for students with disabilities are spent on the student's with the funding.

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?

Slightly effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

This is great information to know but won't make a difference to teacher numbers in the long run so this money needs to be spent in schools instead

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?

These are fantastic initiatives. Making b these processes more streamlined are fantastic ideas to encourage teachers to further develop their skills