IEU member writes: Why our students are always tired
There has been much discussion recently about Australian students complaining of being constantly tired, irritable and anxious due to a lack of sleep, writes Garry Warren.
From IE magazine: Embracing difference by welcoming neurodivergent teachers
Schools now better accommodate the needs of neurodivergent students – those whose brains work differently from the average or ‘neurotypical’ person. But what about neurodivergent staff?
From The Point: The human cost of the Reportable Conduct crisis
Chris* is a highly respected veteran educator who has worked for decades as a teacher, vice principal and Principal. They were the victim of “completely fanciful” accusations which became a Reportable Conduct charge that dragged on for nearly 12 months.
The teacher shortage crisis: recruitment or retention?
There is an ongoing debate around what is causing the teacher shortage crisis and what we should be doing about it. Teacher and IEU member Jack Andrews says it’s time to move past band aid solutions.
Lesson plan changes could save ‘20 million teacher hours a year’
The Grattan Institute says providing all Australian schools with access to a bank of lesson plans would reduce teacher workload by three hours a week.
Education and union reading
From the teacher shortage crisis to the passing of a very significant woman, here’s some news and in-depth reports collected for your reading convenience.
Only Teachers – with a capital T – can teach
Teacher Christine Duff offers a linguistic solution to building the status of her profession.
Best recent education and union reads
From staff shortages in education to the future of enterprise bargaining, and the curious case of the post-election Liberal Party - here’s the reading to catch up on.
Being ‘smart’ in the best way: Al Fricker and Indigenous education
Last year, Dr Aleryk (Al) Fricker’s seminar Decolonising the Classroom was rated the highlight of the IEU/AEU Student Teacher Conference. We spoke to Al to find out why early career teachers react so strongly to his teachings.
Best recent education and union reads
The federal budget under the microscope, what happened to the anti-vaccination movement and a new comic about workers and their unions is acclaimed by Jeff Sparrow and Christos Tsiolkas.
Best recent education and union reads
From Meanjin to Crikey, from an election featuring a “vacuum of ideas” to the erosion of trust in teachers, here’s some stimulating reads for your consideration.
Latest reading on teacher workloads
Recent commentary and analysis about the biggest issue facing education staff.
Why workload remains the biggest issue facing teachers
The workloads of education staff have been an issue since long before the pandemic, and must be addressed now for the good of the entire education system.
From The Conversation: Australia about to feel the full brunt of teacher shortages
The Omicron wave is likely to exacerbate Australia’s existing teacher shortages and demanding workloads.
Your education reading cheat sheet
Need a quick primer on what’s making news in education ahead of the return to school? Here’s your one-stop shop for all the latest.
Progressive holiday reading
You are what you read… Stock up on some nutritious mind food with this selection of education and union articles.
Best education and union reads
From Australia’s COP-out in Glasgow to the national curriculum, here are some gems of recent writing, cherry picked for your reading pleasure.
A profession in distress – 84 percent of teachers think of quitting – from The Educator
A staggering 84% of Australian teachers have thought about leaving the profession in the past year, reports The Educator.
Big opportunities for principals to improve their school workforce in 2022 – from The Educator
The 2021 State of the Sector survey provides some key insights into how principals can improve professional development.
Best education and union reads
Teacher trust, school reform, refugee students and universities as businesses. The best recent education and union reads.