There are many small things we can do to improve the experience of teachers that won't cost billions. It starts with appreciation.
Many everyday things have a strange inequality. For my generation, most of us followed our parents around on the weekend. We went to their events and made fun in between their activities. The reverse is now in vogue. We follow our children around and sneak a run, a coffee, or a swim between their activities.
I am not sure if this is a good deal. But it is not unusual. I know a few parents who seem to love this routine. They spend all weekend driving their progeny to sport and running what seems to be a commercial laundromat. They want their kids to have specific opportunities and are content to give up aspects of their own life if their children and spouses appreciate and acknowledge their sacrifice. However, what really ticks them off is when their quiet heroism is taken for granted.
A new report on teachers suggests teachers may feel the same way.
Recently Monash University released a national report titled Australian Teachers' Perceptions of Their Work (Longmuir, 2022). The report found that even though COVID-19 might have reminded the community of the fantastic job teachers did, that got lost in translation when it came to how teachers felt their work was perceived. For example, only 33.3 per cent of teachers agreed that parents respected their work, and only three in 10 teachers planned to stay in teaching.
More than 5000 teachers were interviewed for the Monash study. Some of the significant issues identified included:
- Underappreciation from the public
- Unmanageable workloads
- An increased administration burden
- Limited support from leaders
- An overloaded curriculum
What did teachers want?
- Affirmation from school leadership
- Support with taking care of their wellbeing
- A supportive environment
- Positive feedback from colleagues
- Positive feedback from parents
- Gratitude from students
The Monash Report identifies that teachers find belonging in their profession but feel underacknowledged and overworked. We can do some simple things to improve a teacher's workplace. This could start with the way we talk to teachers. We can appreciate their efforts and sacrifice more by actively acknowledging and thanking them. We can back and support teachers when they make hard decisions that are in the long-term best interest of our children. These small things may cost us very little but can make a massive difference in how teachers feel about their profession and its value to our society.
One small step we can make to alleviate teachers' stress is to acknowledge their sacrifice and its positive impact. Just like parents, teachers make quiet sacrifices. Many schools rightly have student-focused visions. But it remains the case that the vehicle to student success is the teacher. As leaders, parents and community, we can improve teachers' experience by changing how we talk about teaching and improving how we talk to teachers.
References Longmuir, F., Gallo Cordoba, B., Phillips, M., Allen, K.A. & Moharami, M. (2022). Australian Teachers' Perceptions of their Work in 2022. Monash University. https://doi.org/10.26180/21212891
May, R. (2022). An alarming Australia-wide study finds teachers don't feel respected or safe at work, and few plan to stay. The West Australian. https://thewest.com.au/news/education/alarming-australia-wide-study-finds-teachers-dont-feel-respected-or-safe-at-work-and-few-plan-to-stay-c-8641399
References Longmuir, F., Gallo Cordoba, B., Phillips, M., Allen, K.A. & Moharami, M. (2022). Australian Teachers' Perceptions of their Work in 2022. Monash University. https://doi.org/10.26180/21212891
May, R. (2022). An alarming Australia-wide study finds teachers don't feel respected or safe at work, and few plan to stay. The West Australian. https://thewest.com.au/news/education/alarming-australia-wide-study-finds-teachers-dont-feel-respected-or-safe-at-work-and-few-plan-to-stay-c-8641399