Anonymous #427

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #427

Where are you located?

New South Wales

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?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Public perception and media portrayal largely drive why the profession needs elevating. Spending money to change this perception is important.

The awards are probably important but personally I think the money could be better spent elsewhere.

More teachers do need to be recognised as HALT. The reason that more teachers aren't HALT is because of how onerous it is. The independent sector (AIS) has a good middle ground for recognising teachers between Proficient and Highly Accomplished called Experienced Teacher which should be adopted across the board. All the hard work has been done - borrow that for everyone.

As much as the government doesn't want to admit it, in our society pay packets are considered synonymous with status, so paying teachers well elevates the profession as well as recognises their hard work, knowledge and professionalism.

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?

Providing more places for teachers at university doesn't address the shortage if no one wants to become one.

Helping professionals switch into teaching is a great idea as these people have a wealth of content knowledge and experience to share with students.

Really, it comes back to status, which is intrinsically linked with conditions and pay. If you don't improve teacher conditions and pay then you won't address people not wanting to be one.

Prioritising overseas teachers is a great idea.

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?

How about basing all teacher initial training on evidence-based strategies.

Maximising the time to teach

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

Strongly agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Lack of time is a perpetual gripe, so working to try and address that is great.

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?

Extremely effective

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?

Schools should be mandated to provide mentoring for new teachers as well as implementing peer-mentoring for more experienced teachers. Provide time in teaching loads for this.

The HALT streamlining is important and necessary.

Not sure how micro-credentials will help retain great teachers.