Key competences of 21st century teachers

Abstract

The work of the school, with all the elements that this work implies: educational results, school climate, school culture, encouraging students to develop, etc., largely depends on the teaching staff working in the school. The teacher is, without a doubt, the most important factor in the work of the school. In other words, we can have ideal curricula, impeccable textbooks, optimal conditions, without professional and dedicated teachers there is no quality teaching, and thus no valid results of the educational work. On the other hand, poor curricula, poor quality textbooks and modest working conditions are not a serious obstacle for a professional and ambitious teacher to lead students in a safe way in his / her educational development. The specificity of teaching is that it requires the greatest possible professionalism and expertise, because the responsibility is huge. Teacher work is so complex that mistakes in the work are inevitable, which is why one should not run away from the mistakes but the must reduce them to a minimum and constantly review their actions in order to correct the mistakes. Successful teaching requires knowledge of a wide range of human knowledge (general and vocational education), and at the same time requires impeccable personal characteristics. On the other hand, the teaching work in all its scope, "suffers" as well as complete incompetence and superficiality in the work, because the consequences of such work are usually not visible immediately, but much later. The paper deals with defining and explaining the key competencies of teachers necessary for the successful performance of educational activities in accordance with the needs of students and the challenges of the time in which we live and which is coming.

Keywords

• general characteristics and key competencies of teachers
• student needs
• challenges of the modern age