Modern pupils need modern teachers
As part of the Innovation Hub and the KA203 Erasmus+ project Upgrade with Learner-centred approach, we are bringing a new touch to schools and educational institutions in the form of innovative, professional and key solutions in the field of education of educators, representatives of educational institutions or managers for the needs of sustainable education development.
Every single day, the world faces constant turbulent changes and rapidly changing trends in different areas. Technology companies regularly modernize and innovate their products, coming up with new, better quality or often simpler user solutions. Buildings, fashion, the automotive industry and communication platforms are being modernised. Yes, schools, universities, or the pupils and students themselves are also being modernised. It is taught in newer, more technologically equipped premises or classrooms, various technological achievements of modern times are used to improve the teaching process, etc., but what is stagnating across the board in our country and is not subject to effectively set modernization is the education system itself and education. However, despite the unceasing and increasingly strong external but also internal pressure, despite the pushed changes "from above", many of the educational institutions forget that the innovative impulse needs, first of all, the most important basic link of the entire educational process, and that is the teacher.
For his students, a teacher represents a mentor, psychologist, leader, motivation, wisdom or inspiration in one person. In his classes, the teacher has the opportunity to directly touch the mind and soul of his student, discover and develop his potential, encourage him to learn and, last but not least, he has in his hands the competence to use a modernly equipped space for a modern way of teaching and an educational process that responds to the needs of pupils of our time.
However, in view of the rapidly changing times, how do we motivate teachers themselves to modernise and self-develop?
How to transform traditional outdated teaching methods and bring a touch of new life, new educational elements and practices?
In today's world, how is it possible to make the teaching profession, which has an ingrained idea of a life mission, more attractive?
The answers to these and many other questions began to be written since 2010, when, in response to the needs of modern society, the idea of the Learn & Lead Innovation Center was born, a center that creates space and unlimited possibilities for professional or personal growth of teachers, representatives of educational institutions, managers and others. Within it, we are constantly working, analyzing, creating innovative solutions and bringing revolutionary educational practices necessary for the development of the modern teacher. Our aim is to continuously develop its potential for continuous improvement of education in Slovakia and abroad.
After several years of practice, hundreds of trained professional workshops, successfully submitted projects, the foundations of a new KA203 Erasmus+ project called UPGRADE with Learner-centred approach (LCA) were built in the autumn of 2019. Within the project, 11 professional competencies have been identified, which combine the findings contained in the 7 principles of a pupil-centred approach according to Gabriela Lojová, which simultaneously describe and strengthen the teacher-pupil relationship and the teacher's relationship with teaching. These competencies include: active learning of pupils, learning content, Cognitive and affective (emotional and personality) domains, class climate and learning atmosphere, classroom relationships, assessment and feedback and teacher roles, relationship with pupils. The second part of the competencies strengthens and describes the relationship of the teacher to himself and the relationship of the teacher to other colleagues in the workplace. These competencies are based on the 9 principles of modern man Learn and lead and are them: self-knowledge (metacognition), directing one's further development, communication and cooperation, resiliency and stress management and orientation in a global context.
Courses within the project UPGRADE with Learner-centred approach, on the premises of the Faculty of Education of the Catholic University in Ružomberok, were also successfully completed in two summer weeks by participants from Slovakia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Latvia and Lithuania under the leadership of two expert lecturers Gabriela Lojová and Jana Chynoradská . During them, participants were led to realize that the traditional way of teaching that still persists in our schools no longer meets the demands of the times and that new approaches need to be sought. Thanks to the lecturers, they had the opportunity to better understand the relationship and the huge responsibility of the teacher towards the student and his further development and motivation. As he says Trainer Jana Chynoradská:
"A teacher can excite others and help them understand the mosaic of what makes up today's world. The experience of learning and exploring the world stays with us throughout our lives. If a teacher believes in us, supports us and helps us understand the context, ourselves and others, then he will bring wealth to our lives for life"
After understanding the teacher-pupil relationship, it was the turn of self-knowledge, the teacher's relationship with himself, the instruction on finding a way for his further direction and development in the spirit of the concept of Learn and Lead.
Feedback from some ULCA project participants
Mgr. Katarína Podobová, teacher of grades 1-4
The 2nd week of training with Janka Chynoradska was a great practical contribution to my life. Important thoughts of believing in yourself and being brave still resonate in my head. The practical exercises we did were a methodology for me to further support myself and also to challenge my students to be successful. To show them the way so that they are not afraid to be courageous, action-oriented, team-oriented, intuitive, open, persistent, patient, grateful and believe in themselves (the 9 principles of modern man).
Zuzana Fileková, teacher in grades 1-4
Thanks to the ULCA project, I had the opportunity to spend 10 great days, full of joy of learning, getting to know myself and especially getting to know personalities such as Gabriela Lojová and Jana Chynoradská. Their enthusiasm is exemplary in education. It was an honour to be a participant in their courses. They do exceptional work for teachers and thus for pupils. Thanks.
Branislav Kľuska, university lecturer
I see both of these courses as crucial for an educator and I think every educator should take these courses. At the end of my final report, I will allow myself to be personal – Janka and Gabi, thank you! You have greatly influenced what and how I want to continue to do!
Ilona Vialevicie
... Jana and Gabi, strengthening, open-minded, understanding, beautiful in both essence and appearance lectors, you showed the way, you gave hope that everyone can change something, that we can live in better world. Throughout the course, I felt like it was all mine, what I always clearly knew and agreed, only was just put into the system and said in words. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to change own usual behaviors, habits, traditional thinking. But... we know, even the most difficult and longest road begins with the first step ...
Learn & Lead is the way. It is a journey of knowledge and opportunity, building strong and sustainable foundations for individuals or entire institutions. Embark with us on the modern path of teacher development, on the path of modernizing education, and lay with us the foundations of a solid and viable system that can succeed in this world.
