Anonymous #286

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #286

Where are you located?

Queensland

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?

Early childhood education and care,Primary,Secondary

What is your occupation?

Associate Professor

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?

These are great initiatives to raise the value that teachers bring to their local communities. There needs to be funding for the media / marketing staff to make sure these initiatives take place.

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?

Great initiatives to provide more places. There needs to be an overhaul however of the University courses to include more time in schools and more time face to face at university. Teaching, particularly in STEM areas and in secondary schools needs an overhaul and a change in mind set. Children need to be more engaged and the classroom learning environments need to be exciting and engaging not just sitting at a desk copying a powerpoint. Teachers need to be given the training and support form STEM experts in their fields to allow this to take place.
Also, students in Years 8 - 10 (particularly Year 9) should be given the opportunity to engage in project work which could assist with the skills shortages in many industries and free up those teachers to fill the chronic shortages. For example, every student in Year 9 could select from a list of work experiences / project options and attend one or two days every week in the workforce. This could give them more skills including 'soft skills' such as teamwork, organization skills, respecting others. This age group is contributing to classroom behaviour management issues and this needs to be addressed if you want to attract people 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 agree the university courses need a substantial overhaul. ITE should include industry placements particularly in the STEM fields and far more time in schools. The students entering teaching should undergo interviews to assess their suitability to the profession. Great idea for the First Nations languages. I agree the LANTITE should be in first year. I think placements should be paid. I don't agree with studying teaching online.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I agree with reducing the administrative duties of teachers. I also feel that there should be a huge increase in non-contact time. I understand this is difficult to 'staff' while there is a teacher shortage but if the workload was far more attractive then more people would be interested in this profession. For example. University lecturers have one Term teaching free. Imagine if every teacher had one full day (or even two) per week non-contact. This could include supervising prac students, mentoring, observing others, attending off-site industry visits to improve STEM knowledge and skills, developing projects, and meeting with industry experts and local Indigenous elders to co-design lessons.

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.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Micro-credentials are a good idea. I think there needs to be incentives for further study particularly research higher degrees. Incentives such as increased salary with more qualifications and non-contact time for study. Many teachers need more 'training' in First Nations culture and also behaviour management. I believe there is also a need to increase science and mathematics knowledge and skills particularly for primary teachers.