Griffith Teachers Voice Opinion On Rewarding Excellence

Teachers from Griffith and surrounding areas have had their say on the NSW Government’s game-changing plan to reward excellence in teaching.

Principals and teachers from across the region met recently to give their feedback on a policy options paper released on November 1, proposing new career pathways for excellent teachers.

Classroom educators assessed as ‘experts’ under the Rewarding Excellence in Training initiative could attract salaries of up to $147,000 per year, in recognition of their skills and impact.

Murrumbidgee Regional High School teacher, Mary Casey encouraged others to contribute after attending a roundtable at her school.

Passionate about making a difference in students’ lives, the accredited Highly Accomplished teacher valued hearing different opinions.

“It was great to have my voice heard,” Ms Casey said.

“If you don’t speak up, no-one knows.

“The most important thing about teaching is teaching.

“I do not want to go into management.

“We need good managers, but the most important thing I can do is to be in the classroom.

“It is such a cool job and so we should be rewarded for that excellence, if we are able to share it with others.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said more than 100 roundtables were being held with teachers and other school staff, from Murwillumbah in the north to Broken Hill in the west and Cooma in the State’s south.

"This plan is about recognising and rewarding great teachers, with the aim of keeping them where they do their magic - in the classroom,” Ms Mitchell said.

“It’s vital we hear from as many teachers as possible as we develop this innovative policy and I am so grateful to teachers from the Griffith area for sharing their valuable input.”

A recent survey of teachers and school leaders found around three out of four are interested in pursuing a new career pathway that would keep them in the classroom.

Options raised in the paper and up for discussion at roundtables include:

• Establishment of new roles, including identification, selection and pay;
• How much release time could be dedicated to collaboration activities; and
• How the roles could be implemented across schools.

Teachers who were unable to take part in the roundtable event can still provide feedback through an online survey.

Members of the public are also urged to share their views on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/rewarding-excellence-in-teaching. Implementation of the program is set for 2023. Visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/rewarding-excellence-in-teaching for more information.

• Topics:

• Education