Abstract:

The growth of teachers’ professional skills is now an essential requirement of the modern educational system and one of the most urgent challenges for the system of training and qualification improving of pedagogical staff.

In order to coordinate the activities of chemistry teachers and to create the conditions for their professional growth, in March 2012, the Association of chemistry teachers and lecturers of Tver region (Russia) was established. Currently, this Association brings together more than 100 pedagogues-chemists from 26 municipalities of the region.

The main objectives of the Association are: organization of professional communication and exchange of experience between teachers; promoting the involvement of teachers to discussion of strategic problems of chemical education; public monitoring of the state of chemical education in the region; promoting the effective educational technologies in the field of chemistry; the introduction of innovations and advanced pedagogical experience in teaching chemistry; promoting the enhancement of educational literature on chemistry; strengthening the interdisciplinary connections of chemistry with other scientific disciplines; assistance to the intellectual development of students; popularization of chemistry and promotion of chemical knowledge; improving the social status of teachers.

The activities of the Association are: conducting conferences, workshops, round tables for collegial discussion of current issues in chemical education; elaboration of the analytical, methodical and reference documents concerning the development of chemical education and improvement of the teaching and learning process; providing teachers with background information and professional advice; expertise of educational materials of chemistry teachers and their publication on the official website of the Association; assistance in the implementation of innovations; interaction with the education authorities, trade unions, scientific, educational, and other organizations; publishing activities; interaction with international scientific, educational and cultural organizations; drawing public attention to the problems of chemical education.

In the framework of implementation of the statutory goals and objectives of the Association, the harmonious system of work with teachers and schoolchildren was created and developed. The most exacting teacher can find in the work plan of the Association an event and/or activity that he likes and he’ll enjoy – from study of biographies of great chemists to composing the Olympiad problems, from the participation in the contests of didactic games or educational presentations to scientific and research work, and much more.

The article gives numerous examples of various activities organized by the Association. It provides a brief description and features each of them. The paper shows how participation in a particular event leads to increase of level of professional skills of chemistry teachers.
Finally, the model of the management system of teachers’ professional growth in the framework of their participation in the Association is proposed. It includes six consecutive key stages: the creation of conditions that ensure effective professional development of teachers, planning of work, informing all interested parties, organization of work, leadership (encouragement and motivation to professional growth, the overcoming of objective socio-pedagogical contradictions), and supervision.

Keywords:

Professional growth of teachers, association of chemistry teachers, management of professional skills, chemistry.