Anonymous #244

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #244

Where are you located?

Queensland

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?

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?

As a full time, permanent teacher with over 4 decades of continuous service and also having international experience, I feel able to present a valid case and new perspectives to support your endeavours re: addressing the Teacher Shortage. I am also a QTU representative (disclosure).



Suggestion 1 Relieve teachers of Playground duties

The Grattan Institute recently suggested spending millions on preparation of lesson plans to reduce workload and stress.

As an Economics teacher if fiscal choices have to be made may I suggest that a Cost Benefit Analysis be conducted re: the teacher mental health benefits, increased retention and added attraction that allowing teachers a proper student free meal break could achieve. Yes- the award does cover this -however as someone in a large high school who usually does 4 days a week of playground duties the negative toll is real and now. Many additional benefits re a less stressed teacher, who can be punctual (now impossible as duties and lesson start times are the same) and be properly prepared would add to positive school culture. This then would probably translate into increased retention and attraction of staff- especially if the initiative is taken early (Melbourne is already talking of trials). You do not need a teaching degree to do playground duty.

A gradual release of PGD from teachers to say security personnel and/or parents (all with blue cards) would also aid safety re number of assaults against teachers and students as well as unauthorised entries. Trained security could then be a deterrent to increasingly violent teen behaviours and they are trained to quickly minimise harm -teachers are not and unlike the USA suggestion -would not support arming teachers or security with guns.
Using the KISS principle this initiative could be trialled and have a timely effect and make a positive difference quickly.



Suggestion 2 Immediate withdrawal of unruly students – with a more long- term support plan also

Additionally, specific behaviour targeting and support of recalcitrant students could better produce optimal educational results and optimal student welfare (rather than the recidivist band aid model)

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?

As a full time, permanent teacher with over 4 decades of continuous service and also having international experience, I feel able to present a valid case and new perspectives to support your endeavours re: addressing the Teacher Shortage. I am also a QTU representative (disclosure).



Suggestion 1 Relieve teachers of Playground duties

The Grattan Institute recently suggested spending millions on preparation of lesson plans to reduce workload and stress.

As an Economics teacher if fiscal choices have to be made may I suggest that a Cost Benefit Analysis be conducted re: the teacher mental health benefits, increased retention and added attraction that allowing teachers a proper student free meal break could achieve. Yes- the award does cover this -however as someone in a large high school who usually does 4 days a week of playground duties the negative toll is real and now. Many additional benefits re a less stressed teacher, who can be punctual (now impossible as duties and lesson start times are the same) and be properly prepared would add to positive school culture. This then would probably translate into increased retention and attraction of staff- especially if the initiative is taken early (Melbourne is already talking of trials). You do not need a teaching degree to do playground duty.

A gradual release of PGD from teachers to say security personnel and/or parents (all with blue cards) would also aid safety re number of assaults against teachers and students as well as unauthorised entries. Trained security could then be a deterrent to increasingly violent teen behaviours and they are trained to quickly minimise harm -teachers are not and unlike the USA suggestion -would not support arming teachers or security with guns.
Using the KISS principle this initiative could be trialled and have a timely effect and make a positive difference quickly.



Suggestion 2 Immediate withdrawal of unruly students – with a more long- term support plan also

Additionally, specific behaviour targeting and support of recalcitrant students could better produce optimal educational results and optimal student welfare (rather than the recidivist model -where a s

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?

As a full time, permanent teacher with over 4 decades of continuous service and also having international experience, I feel able to present a valid case and new perspectives to support your endeavours re: addressing the Teacher Shortage. I am also a QTU representative (disclosure).



Suggestion 1 Relieve teachers of Playground duties

The Grattan Institute recently suggested spending millions on preparation of lesson plans to reduce workload and stress.

As an Economics teacher if fiscal choices have to be made may I suggest that a Cost Benefit Analysis be conducted re: the teacher mental health benefits, increased retention and added attraction that allowing teachers a proper student free meal break could achieve. Yes- the award does cover this -however as someone in a large high school who usually does 4 days a week of playground duties the negative toll is real and now. Many additional benefits re a less stressed teacher, who can be punctual (now impossible as duties and lesson start times are the same) and be properly prepared would add to positive school culture. This then would probably translate into increased retention and attraction of staff- especially if the initiative is taken early (Melbourne is already talking of trials). You do not need a teaching degree to do playground duty.

A gradual release of PGD from teachers to say security personnel and/or parents (all with blue cards) would also aid safety re number of assaults against teachers and students as well as unauthorised entries. Trained security could then be a deterrent to increasingly violent teen behaviours and they are trained to quickly minimise harm -teachers are not and unlike the USA suggestion -would not support arming teachers or security with guns.
Using the KISS principle this initiative could be trialled and have a timely effect and make a positive difference quickly.



Suggestion 2 Immediate withdrawal of unruly students – with a more long- term support plan also

Additionally, specific behaviour targeting and support of recalcitrant students could better produce optimal educational results and optimal student welfare (rather than the recidivist model -where a s

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?

I attended all the HAT in-services and then the huge hours required for the submission meant I would have had to stop teaching for a while. So I did not proceed. The whole submission needs to be less onerous and time gobbling though still being a rigorous process. Pay difference is not a huge incentive to do HAT and teachers' salaries are laughable against many other professions.