Recently retired school principal Tiffany Sinton is well versed dealing with the pressures associated with being over-worked and under-valued.
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That's why the former acting relieving principal at Mount Ousley Public School is now focused around empowering educators with wellbeing and learner engagement strategies to help them cope with the immense stress of their work and behaviour issues.
Ms Sinton has seen first hand how teacher burnout is contributing to losses of some of "the most visionary leaders and our most innovative, passionate and exceptional educators from the profession".
"I am extremely concerned, because I am seeing such huge losses to our teaching staff. My previous school has lost (at last count) five exceptional educators from the system in as many months. This is absolutely devastating to such a small school community, and I know they are reeling," she said.
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said there were currently no permanent vacancies at Mount Ousley Public School.
"Recent staffing changes at Mount Ousley Public School are due to several reasons, including maternity leave and career development opportunities," the spokesperson said.
Ms Sinton left the NSW public education system at the end of last year and started her online business The Rebellious Educator earlier this year to "empower young learners to not only have the capacity, but also believe in their ability to create their own futures".
"I have seen the workload that is expected of educators over the past few decades increase to ridiculous levels - where teaching on-class requires hours and hours of preparation, meetings, parent communication, as well as professional learning around every new strategy or latest fad that seems to turn up with every change in the government," she said.
"Teachers get into teaching because they are passionate about making an impact on the world. The chronic stress levels experienced within the education system lead to burnout which leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness, helplessness and a lack of accomplishment. Teacher morale directly correlates with student engagement and achievement.
"Research shows that burnout is caused by a number of factors - not only is it from workload, stress and overburdening people with extra (often unnecessary) tasks and responsibilities, but it also stems from the feeling that they are not being supported or advocated for, and that they feel undervalued and under-appreciated. And while an increase in salary may help somewhat in this regard, it is certainly not enough to fix it."
IN OTHER NEWS:
In October 2021 the NSW Government announced a $125 million NSW Teacher Supply Strategy in response to the complex challenge of attracting, developing and retaining teachers, while modernising the workforce.
The Department has a target of a 20 per cent reduction in low value administrative tasks for teachers by the end of 2022.
"The NSW public education system has a vacancy rate of less than 3 per cent, which is very low for a system of our size," the spokesperson said.
"The Department has filled over 6400 teaching positions last year, and since 2017, it has appointed more than 26,000 teachers."
Ms Sinton added that teachers and parents alike were also happy to see the end of the "harsh" lockdowns.
"I am so proud of not only the teachers during this time, but also of the parents and carers during the harsh lockdowns, who really stepped up when we were all thrown into remote learning," she said.
"They were often juggling their own careers, working from home, and making sure their kids were getting their school work done as well. I am so grateful for the appreciation that many parents expressed during this time for their glimpse into and newfound understanding of what it was like to teach.
"We are now seeing a trend of parents taking their children out of school, and the homeschooling market online right now is booming.
"Parents are recognising that this is a new way to give your child an opportunity to learn in a whole new engaging, empowering and innovative way. I love connecting with and helping these passionate, critical-thinking parents too!"
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
