Abstract:

It is the supreme art of the teacher
to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
(A. Einstein)

Elementary education presents an enormous challenge to the future teacher, which is supporting a child in his or her overall development. Child’s successful start in life depends on the teacher. An important role is played by the teacher’s abilities (competencies) to communicate and interact, which constitute basic elements of the teacher’s qualifications.

The job of a teacher is one of the most difficult professions. It should be subject to social trust and respect. The teachers’ pedagogical competencies and, above all, their competencies of various types, are necessary nowadays. Current teacher of early childhood education should be a responsible and diligent professional. And current educational reality needs effective teachers, therefore future trainees should be convinced they chose well and convinced about the uniqueness the profession. Their skills, pedagogical talents and wisdom determine the future of their pupils, their psychophysical development, character, individuality and even happiness in personal life. However, to be successful in this profession one must acquire solid interdisciplinary theoretical knowledge within the scope of humanities, be able to use it in practice and obtain required pedagogical competencies.

The challenges of the future concerning teachers of elementary education in the 21st century force them to acquire the ability of being critical towards oneself, the world and oneself in the world. Teacher’s competencies comprise technical competencies based on technical knowledge, which includes postulation, methodical and realization competencies as well as practical-moral competencies that include interpretation, moral and communication competencies. According to D. Goleman there are two groups of professional competencies: “threshold competencies, such as knowledge and specialist skills, and distinctive competencies, such as motivation, involvement, ability to manage and influence people, that are emotional-social competencies. They enable to use threshold competencies and increase efficiency of work. Thus, it can be assumed that professional success of the teachers is modified by both types of abilities.”

This article presents opinions of the students of Early Childhood Education concerning state of their awareness and knowledge regarding a reflective and professional teacher – practitioner and communication competencies.

Keywords:

Elementary education, professional competencies of a teacher, types of competencies, social and emotional competencies.