Anonymous #444

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #444

Where are you located?

New South Wales

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

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?

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.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I know this is brought up all the time, however I do think smaller class sizes in all schools would reduce the teacher burnout, stress especially when you have classes with behavioural issues and teacher time spent on admin related tasks.
I believe class sizes of a maximum 22 would be ideal, kids these days are even more disrespectful, distruptive and distracted, which means a lot more time spent on behaviour management then learning in some cases. Teachers can spend time on behaviour and showing respect until their red in the face but unless this is reflected at home it's rare to change the child's behaviour.

Smaller class sizes would also mean having more opportunities to have 1:1 feedback sessions, small guided group activities helping with differentiation and scaffolding.
Next year at our small school of 155 students our 5/6 class is going to consist of 31 students which includes are child on the spectrum with severe behavioural issues which regularly impacts the lessons and can scare the other students. This teacher is going to feel burnt out nearly everyday from this child alone, let alone the 30 other students.

Im also not niave to realise this would mean spending more money on labour costs however if current teachers and future teachers knew the class sizes are capped you may have more people staying in the profession and or taking it up.

The minister of education mentioned that Australian teachers work more hours in non face to face teaching jobs then our international colleagues, then maybe we need to take a page out of their books. I have had the opportunity to work in schools in Europe. In some parts of Austria (Styria) they have 2 teachers in a normal class size (25-30) if there are more then 5 students diagnosed with a disability (including ADHD), 1 of those teachers is a special educational teacher, on top of this if the disability is severe (down syndrome, cerebal palsy etc) they still had an SLSO.

With the increase of mental disabilities 1 subject at university isn't really enough to prepare pre service teachers what they may face, really a practical experience should go along with that subject.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Maximising the time to teach

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?