“Stressed out,” this is how Australian teachers define their teaching experience during the pandemic.
Burned out Australian teachers
Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews just announced that the plan to reopen schools will be postponed until further notice and all students in Victoria will continue with remote learning.
Grades 11 and 12 were initially permitted to attend physical classes in Melbourne and in some districts in Victoria. However, with the new guidelines, all grade levels are expected to return to full remote classes.
If students are disappointed with this news, so as the Australian teachers. The educators express the hardship of additional workload they go through due to remote learning.
In a survey conducted on teachers who underwent remote teaching, among the most common difficulties they encounter in unison is the added burden caused by technical concerns. Also, teachers have to come up with a new lesson plan since remote learning is a lot different from the traditional learning method.
Some Australian teachers are even on the verge of a burnout. Remote learning has really been a challenge for them and is taking away the fun they used to experience in teaching.
Mental health at risk
Due to the pressure and new adjustments brought about by remote learning, teachers are experiencing challenges in their mental health.
The exhaustion even haunts me unto my sleep. I feel like giving up.
Teachers also voiced out the lack of coordination between the government regarding the demands of the teachers.
We feel like pawns, we only accept what rules they pass on downwards to us. We do not feel that we are able to communicate our needs to the government.
The teachers are calling out for more support from the government to help them adjust and settle in with remote learning. And they hope that proper communication should be available before coming up with major announcements that concern teachers and students.
