Anonymous #275

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #275

Where are you located?

Victoria

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?

Special education

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

As is the issue mentioned by the AEU, this proposal is about recruiting new teachers and not about retaining the teachers they already have. I have a bachelors degree in primary education, specialising in disability and a masters degree in learning intervention from the University of Melbourne. I got an ATAR in the 90s, was awarded a prize for my undergraduate degree and received a WAM of 86.3 for my masters. I am highly qualified and exactly the person the government wants to attract, but I am totally burnt out. I plan to leave the profession next year and not return after 6 years in the industry. I work as a special education teacher at a public school in metropolitan Melbourne, and I am underpaid and overworked.

I would love to work in inclusive education, but I need to look after myself. A job is not as important as my wellbeing.

Other teachers say that money isn't important. Would I be more likely to stay on if I received more money? It would help of course and yes it would influence my option to stay. An issue that this proposal does address is the status of teachers. They are spending millions to boost the status of teachers through media campaigns etc. This feels like a slap in the face and makes me even angrier with the current Vic agreement just reached. Better status means better pay and boosts the likelihood of attracting (and retaining) clever individuals. Don't even get me started on the low ATAR score for teaching...(it should be a minimum 80 course!).

I am so frustrated and sick of working in a job that is so overworked and so undervalued. I am so sick of being told that the school will not pay for essentials because they don't have the budget, so I end up buying them (I'm talking about food, nappies, wipes etc.).

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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?

We need more pay, smaller class sizes and more time to complete the administrative and care roles demanded in our job. With more children with disabilities (rightly) entering mainstream, this means more time needed for planning and even more time spent communicating with external therapists and specialists. I barely get time to plan at school because I am always needing to complete assessments for specialists and communicate with families and therapists.

I have no time to plan meaningful lessons for my students.

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?