Anonymous #261

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #261

Where are you located?

South 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?

School leader

Elevating the profession

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

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Is there evidence that previous campaigns in NSW and Queensland have had any impact on elevating the profession. These two states are projected to have the biggest teacher shortages in the future but having spoken to colleagues in the state the media campaigns have had little impact on perception of the profession.
We already have education awards where we recognise outstanding teachers awards they receive minimal coverage in the media, how will another set of awards differ?

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?

I think the idea to increase the scope of the High Achieving teachers program worthwhile we need to diversify our recruitment strategies as much as possible. From my perspective the increase in funding to tertiary education providers is interesting. This is a stakeholder that currently churns out graduate teachers who are often poorly trained and lack support. Before giving these stakeholders more money it would be worthwhile to explore different pathways or look at how we can add more rigor to the courses and content they are offering.
Whilst there needs to be a keen focus on increasing the supply of teachers we must also look at the quality of these teachers which doesn't seem to be addressed here. In out efforts to address teacher recruitment we need to be mindful of not self sabotaging Priority Area 1 on increasing perception of teachers by lowering entry requirements to the profession.

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?

I think there are some favourable actions under this priority area. I would like us to think even bigger in this area. Many Early Career Teachers I have worked with have spoken of a need to increase the placement times. For me, teaching is a vocation and should be treated as such. This could involve reducing time sat in lectures on obscure educational theorists and increasing the classroom placement time for trainee teachers. Could teacher training courses include a one year in the classroom apprenticeship where trainee teachers are paid for their work? (this would also incentivise the program)

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?

There seems a lot of actions around 'working groups' , advisory groups and programs under this priority area but no clear measure of how these groups will actually reduce teacher workload. More information would be helpful

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?