Development of Personality Competences as an Important Element of Teacher’s Professional Development

Abstract

Because of the fact, that our expectations about teachers are much higher than they were years ago, their role has clearly changed. These changes are the result of the surrounding reality, which forces the need to improve one’s own competence constantly. Teachers’ continuous professional development is especially relevant for improving educational effectiveness, because teachers’ competences have a huge influence on students’ achievement. However, there is no professional development without personal development. It turns out to be a very important area of professional development. The article presents an overview of selected concepts related to personal development. The factors determining teacher’s professional development are discussed and the importance of a mature personality for the success of this process is underlined. As a result of the theoretical analyzes, several conclusions were presented. The most important of them is the statement that the teachers’ professionalism consists of a cognitive and personal area, containing a world of values and feelings. They determine the teachers’ conscious, reflective and responsible professional role. In order to achieve this desired state, it is necessary to support teachers through their professional development. The main point is to recognize the development phase and use appropriate stimulation methods. This is an important element, which is improve the process of teachers’ professional development.