Anonymous #283

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #283

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?

Primary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

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?

Workload - administration tasks, dealing with parents and their demands, endless data collection, even when school results are high AIP and SSP goals push to improve things that are already done well, in the name of accountability.
This all distracts from the core business of teaching. Planning is not the issue, most teachers feel this is an important part of the job. We don’t want to be given prescriptive plans that could be delivered by anyone.
It is an insult that we allow pre service and non qualified employees to perform intervention, when they do not have the research and pedagogical knowledge let alone experience.
Teachers are undervalued by the public, parents, government and their own employers. Read any social media post about teachers to confirm this. Even teachers publicly bring their colleagues down ( look at science of reading vs balanced literacy as an example).
Experienced teachers have no career progression, the learning specialist role is a joke and is just seen as a step to principal roles. I’ve undertaken a LS role for 3 years with a full time teaching load, yet no formal appointment. When the role was finally advertised it was a no appointment despite being readvertised 3 times. Proving the better applicant doesn’t exist, even though staff and leadership tell me I’m the best. Reason? My expert knowledge is literacy yet they want someone who is expert on everything. Impossible to have that depth of knowledge and practice on all curriculum areas, administration, coaching while teaching a full time load. No wonder experienced teachers are saying enough!

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?

But they will leave once they find the demands of the job are high, evidence has seen for years a huge percentage leave the profession within 5 years. Now the issue is that experienced teachers are walking too.
Already many grads are opting for crt work - flexible hours, no meetings, reports, admin, meetings, dealing with parents or extras like camps and other after hours events.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

You’re focusing on the wrong problems. People are choosing not to teach because those that want to get to see how hard the job is when they do placements.
As an experienced teacher even having to supervise a pre service teacher is a massive impact on my time and energy, my students don’t benefit. Another example of why workload is too high. A pre service teacher is like having an extra 5-10 students to cater for

Maximising the time to teach

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

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Focusing on the wrong areas.
Planning and collaborative work is not the issue.
Look at;
Disability benefits inclusion- read parents who want a level of support that is not practical or accessible for one child in a mainstream classroom of 20-27 students. Focus on special Ed and remove the stigma so these students and families get what they need and deserve.
Workload - assessment for the sake of data collection, complex reporting, endless admin, meetings and extra curricular functions and events are the problem.

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?

Not effective at all

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Read previous comments and start listening to actual teachers. Look at how the AEUbVic lumped teachers with ES, they get a pay rise while teachers get TIL which is failing already.
Look at how many quit the union over this.
Planning is not the issue!
Workload in the form of admin and being at the beck and call if parents impossible demands- 2 hours this week because a kid didn’t sit next to their friend.
Meetings that take away from time during the work day meaning we have to finish work on weekends and evenings
Etc

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 disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

How does this retain teachers?
It’s a massive commitment when we’re already exhausted and unappreciated.
And doesn’t change career progression path