Abstract:

Changes that take place in the modern world influence the functioning of schools and teachers. The modern system of education should therefore be flexible and ready to adopt to those changes. Because of the fact that teachers are those ones who are very important in every educational process at each level of education, their development should be the issue to focus on during discussions on shape of future education system. The interest in the work and functioning of teachers in the context of their professional development is the more meaningful as the results of good or poor preparation to teach affect children and adolescents in the first place. In order to deal with the new social, educational and cultural phenomena, teachers need to be properly prepared in the process of professional training and development. Moreover, the particular emphasis should be placed not only on their wide, professional knowledge, but also – what may be referred to as crucial nowadays - on the development of their competences, personal and professional traits and self-knowledge. The effectiveness of their work depends mostly on their self-awareness and personal development. If they build their professional teaching competencies on this foundation, they will be well equipped to work in the changing school environment. They will also have many possibilities to help students to grow and develop and, consequently, to successfully function in the changing world with various values and diverse societies.

The paper presents the grounds for adoption of the new teacher education system in Poland, by referring to the existing research and educational practices, including present models of teacher of different subjects education and pedagogical preparation of those teachers. During analyses of the teacher education, the two modules – from 2012 and from 2019 - were compared. The differences between teacher education modules, especially in the area of level of students competencies were found and therefore they are also described in the paper as the illustration to the need of change in the teacher training system.

The new model of teacher education based on developing the important competencies of the future is also proposed. The emphasis is placed on the development of competencies which are needed for teachers and educators not only in the pursuing a professional role of a teacher but also for individuals in the modern world. Most of all, these competencies include competencies called entrepreneurial or social, which are linked to development of people (both, teachers and students as well) potential, resources, inner-direction, orientation on learning and lifelong growth.

Keywords:

Teacher, teacher education, teacher’s competencies, personal and professional development.