TEACHER'S CAREER PROGRESSION IN THE CONTEXT OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Professional development of teachers is mainly associated with intrinsic motivation for self-improvement and self-realization to be a better teacher as well as with the needs and profiling of schools in which they work. Every teacher should have developed their own personal plan for professional development and career growth. Planning and implementation of self-development and professional growth of teachers is associated with their awareness of all the possibilities of teaching staff career development and career opportunities. The teacher must necessarily be well acquainted with the methods of self-education, as well as the methods of research and developments in teaching practice. An inseparable part of the process is the communication of teaching knowledge and expertise in the wider environment of lay and professional community, setting the aims and objectives for professional development and identifying with the concept of lifelong learning. Teacher's career progression is also related to realizing of their own strengths and weaknesses and improved professional performance, which should also lead to a fair and transparent teacher's remuneration. Competent school management has strategic plan of further education of teachers working at the school. The training is accomplished either through accredited educational programmes, or internal refresher studies. Teacher' professional development largely depends on the philosophy of school head teachers, but often on their willingness and readiness to support the personal growth of teachers. The study presents a comprehensive view at teacher's professional development, which is associated with continuous, lifelong, active, and constructive process as an inherent part of their professional activities in the school, leading to the higher quality of their teaching performance. The focus under consideration is the three essential dimensions achieved in the form of teacher's personal maturity, professionalism and qualification development.