Teacher shortages are hitting hard in first weeks back

SCHOOLS, especially in Victoria in New SouthWales, are alreadyreportedly under great strain from alack of workforce coverage.

This crisis has been brewing for along time.

Dr Fiona Longmuir of Monash University said the situation was worrying.

“There aresome hard lessons that must be learnt. Our research shows teachers are burning out,” she said.

Dr Fiona is alecturer in educational leadership in the facultyofeducation at Monash University.

Dr Fiona’s current research investigates interactions of school and system leadership with student engagement and agency.

“With schools facing the brunt of the teacher shortage crisis as students return for 2023 -there are some hard lessons that must be learntabout how we support teachers in our country,” she said.

Senior ConstableCantwell atRosedalePolice

Stationon5199 2222 or phone Crime Stoppers.

Woman hit by Subaru

A21-year-old TraralgonEastman wasarrested in Kew on January 18 and charged with dangerous drive causingserious injury,fail to remain at collision scene, fail to render assistance and fail to report acollision.

It is alleged awoman was hit by ared Subaru in amotel car-park on Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley just after 6am.

The driver of the Subaru allegedly fled the scene, and the 35-year-old woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Stolen vehicleinMaffra

BETWEEN about 10am and 11.30am on Thursday, January 19,unknown offender/sallegedly attended an address in SandyCreekRoad, Maffra and gained access to the garage and house.

They allegedlystole awhite Renault Koleos wagon -registration BLE-332 -from the garage.

If youhaveany information in regardstothe stolenvehicle,contact MaffraPolice on 51471026 or Crime Stoppers.

“Our research with over 5000 Australian teachers indicated that teachers are burning out from long hours and emotional drain, combined with feeling undervalued and disrespected. Andwiththe current wide-spread staffing shortages, teachers are being stretchedevenfurther.

“Thismeans the most likely trajectory is that the crisis will get worse.”

Actions directed at retaining current staff and appealing to those that have recently left must be afocus. Interventions that reduce workload and work intensity are most likely to have an impact.

“Ourresearch suggests thatteachers want less administrative burden, (including reduceddatareporting), they want more specialist support for students’ socio-emotionalneeds, and theywant more time to build relationships that support students’ learning and social development,” Dr Fiona said.

Thereisalsoarole for families and communities in this challenging timeappreciate and support the teachers at your schools. Positive engagement with students and parents is important to teacher satisfaction and therefore retention in the workforce.