Böcker av Jolanta Szempruch

The education process is inextricably linked to the context of socio-cultural needs, and the concept of the profession and the professional role of the teacher are subject to definitional changes. The complex issues of how the school and the teacher function are examined by the authors. Central themes include: How do the school and the teacher function? What social changes is 21st century society undergoing, both in terms of modernization and globalisation? What does the figure of the teacher look like in the 21st century with reference to the historical outline of the institution of school and the teaching profession? To what extent can teachers be subjective? This book is a reflection on the school institution and the person of the teacher, it has been created to highlight the essence of the pedagogical dimension of education, socio-cultural changes, and pedagogical innovations.

This publication is divided into two parts. The first part depicts the transformations that determine the operation of contemporary school and education. The problems presented magnify the issues of social and educational changes that take place in the contemporary school. It reveals the challenges that a school faces and describes the transformations of its model which facilitate completion of new tasks.The second part depicts matters that pertain to changes and challenges associated with professional activity of a teacher. He/she should organize the didactic-educational process according to the modern principles of education policy and practice as well as effectively fulfill the roles and tasks that lead to creative participation in social life. The teacher should also show young individuals the way to independence and responsibility in seeking and understanding their own place in the world. The articles presented here have been previously published in Polish journals and collective works. They have been elaborated and modified to consider the changing educational realities. The need to compile these papers so that the presented reflections may be synthesized and may encourage continuous exploration and the necessity to improve school operation and teacher activity are beyond dispute.