Anonymous #328

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #328

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?

Primary,Special education

What is your occupation?

School leader

Elevating the profession

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Recognition of ALL not SOME teachers for their valued work and contribution is essential. Value can also be shown by listening to teacher voice and need in relation to required resources and support.

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?

Teacher conditions, particularly in the public sector, need significant improvement. Access to quality resources, enough staff to do the job effectively, attractive pay and time to work collaboratively with colleagues to plan for quality teaching.

Staff are very stretched trying to support new teachers across schools. In disability support, staff are stretched across the school and unable to provide the support teachers and students require. The most needy students tend to attract the time due to their particular needs/behaviour (as they should), leaving remaining support stretched.

The health and wellbeing of teachers requires significant attention to avoid burnout.

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?

Nothing is going to change until conditions in schools improve. You may increase the number of and quality of beginning teachers, but until conditions improve they will still leave the profession. Expectations in the current environment are not sustainable.

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?

This aspect requires consideration of school context. Different schools require different things. Whilst some schools may benefit from access to curriculum resources, others may benefit from resourcing so staff can collaboratively plan together. Some schools may benefit from increased PL in specific areas - with the time given to explore new learning and strengthen school approaches. I don’t think there is a one size fits all solution to this aspect.

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 disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The current requirements are too complex for an industry that is already overwhelmed with paperwork and accountability requirements. Streamlining the process based on key milestones of achievement or more achievable approaches is certainly required. However, there will still be staff that are focused on these processes for money, not because they are keen to demonstrate their skills. When money is attached to achievement, many people continue to approach these options purely to gain that reward. ALL teachers need improved pay to start - this aspect should be considered later.