Anonymous #438

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #438

Where are you located?

Australian Capital Territory

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.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I think the money spent in this area would be better spent on workload reduction for existing teachers, to keep them in the profession.

Ironically the HALT process is too onerous for most teachers, yes, yes I know some teachers beaver away at it an get their accreditation. However, many, many, many EXCELLENT teachers do not apply because they are too busy doing the job and doing the job well!! Not to mention the cost. Also the HALT process also considerably adds to your existing workload...I know it is capturing what you do, but the gathering of evidence, collating and annotating takes a lot of time. Many teachers trying to achieve a work life balance are avoiding the HALT process.

We are out there but the process needs to be free and much simpler. Stop making us jump through hoops to prove what we do daily.

Resource ALL schools effectively. Look after the health and wellbeing of staff and students. Access to timely diagnoses, for students with additional needs, and access to interventions and support services. Use evidenced based pedagogies and you won't need to 'artificially' elevate the profession. People will see the positive outcomes. Put the money into these things instead.

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?

No one will stay if the pay and condition are not right. We need to address these issues.

Initial Teacher Education does need to follow current evidenced based pedagogies. We do need more teachers with particular specialisations, especially languages and Indigenous languages.

Agree that the focus of the degree for Primary should be Mathematics, English, Behaviour Management, Diversity, First Nations and more time should be spent in placements, this is where the magic happens. The first placement needs to occur very early on so these students can see if education really is the degree for them.

Lantite should occur at the beginning of the degree and support provided for those who need it. Disability adjustments for Lantite need to be given.

For the above to work, we need mentor teachers. These mentor teachers need to be remunerated appropriately for their considerable additional workload that is incurred taking these students on. The current remuneration from the universities doesn't cut it.

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?

See points for previous question also.

First Nations teachers - yes, we need more but we also don't want to dump all the cultural work on these very few staff. We also can't assume they have the language etc. The collaboration with First Nations people is vital.

The key is mentoring, making sure we have mentors, making sure the mentors receive adequate remuneration.

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?

The points raised here don't really appear to address 'retention'.

This should be where the most focus should go.

Again I would say that the health and well being of school staff and students is crucial here. The students with challenging behaviours and disabilities that increase workloads for the already stretched school staff. We do well with what we have but it is not enough.

There are children with complex needs that are almost impossible to do in a traditional classroom, children with sensory issues, children who don't like being in crowds etc. The are opposites and cause friction.

Every classroom in Australia would benefit from an extra pair of hands, managing behaviour, assisting learning needs. Looking in to how to use these staff effectively is a great idea but in practical terms it is so much easier having another person there with you. A child comes in and is upset and needs to chat, one person can address that while the other can get on with class.

Students with learning and behavioural needs, need to be identified early and receive appropriate interventions and support. The delay in diagnosis and the difficulty in accessing services is a major contributor to challenging behaviour in schools.

ALL schools need access to FREE Cognitive and Educational Assessments. ALL schools need better access to Mental Health Supports for staff and students. The above is all the 'hidden' workload that is on top of all the admin. Provide ALL students with challenging needs appropriate staffing and support, regardless of the school sector they are in.

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?

Very effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Data is great.

I would also survey existing staff in schools to get a picture of staff that are considering leaving or have considered leaving recently and WHY? Why do they want to go? What is keeping them in the profession, for now? You might be able to use this.

Survey or use existing data about the health and wellbeing of school staff. What can we do to improve this? I can tell you anecdotally that this workforce are chronically stressed and anxious people. Many don't seek help out of fear things will be reported because of their profession i.e. a suicidal teacher etc.

We take on and manage the health and wellbeing of our students and their families all the time but often at the detriment of our own.

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?

See point elsewhere about First Nations people and HALT.

All teachers should be paid more, not just a select few. Teaching is a collaborative endeavor. We want people to be open and work together, mentor and support each other. Attaching a super teacher wage to a select few, will encourage people to close doors, withhold things to give them an edge over their peers, it is also so incredibly detrimental to school culture.

To learn you need to be able to take risks, you won't take risks if you don't feel safe. Pay ALL school staff more and build better school cultures. Work on health and well being alongside the evidence based practices. You will catch more flies with honey...

People say all the time, my school is great, we all get along so well, we all support each other BUT behind closed doors that is not the case.

Often the 'chosen ones' those selected for things are just the staff who befriend the Leadership team not necessarily the best people for the job. Upskilling and rewarding ALL school staff is crucial to build positive culture.