Anonymous #399

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #399

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?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

School leader

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?

Whilst I appreciate a media campaign to raise the profile of the profession, making more awards will not show teachers or leaders how they are valued. Most teachers are not in the profession to be in the spotlight, nor do a lot of teachers actually value the awards. What would show educators they are valued is allocating schools enough teachers, leaders and support staff to actually get the work done, and letting teachers do what they do best - teach!

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?

Whilst having incentives is great, allowing a university to undertake the review of university programs is defunct - why not ask schools what is wrong with ITE - they can specify exactly what teachers are missing in ITE - more time in classrooms rather than studying nonsense they will never use again!

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?

Again - why are we letting a university review themselves? It needs to be independent so that the information come from the area where these people will work.

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?

All states and territories need to employ staff in their schools to support teachers to teach. Many of the 21st century schools need admin officers, marketing officers, accountants, etc that schools are not allocated. Principals are meant to be instructional leaders but when they are doing all the things outlined, time is taken away from instructional leadership and the same is said for teachers in schools.

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?

Moderately effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Whilst this may address some areas - ITE does not support a large area of need (technology, I.e. the old manual arts) and focuses on specific areas. If we I l’y focus on one area, we will fix that one and have a shortage in another.

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?

Most teachers are not interested in HALT as in order to get recognised, schools invest heavily in these candidates and makes a mockery of the certification. Career pathways also have to include alternate pathways for leadership including school based roles that are both leadership and teaching roles but are included in an allocative model (e.g. year level coordinators, deans, etc). All systems should be able to have an open and transparent promotional system that does not rely on people being favoured but judged on their achievements. Promotional pathways also need to be manageable and allow for work life balance also. Leadership is not attractive to families when time is taken away and work is all encompassing - address the administrative time for school leaders and more will be willing to progress.