SCHOOL, TEACHER AND TEACHER TRAINING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FUTURE PRIMARY TEACHERS

Students of the study programme of Primary Education experience what it means to be a teacher as early as first years of their studies. Their practical pedagogical studies (30 credits) consist of a 3-part teaching practice: Practice of Teacher Assistant; Teaching Practice under Supervision of Mentor and Independent Teaching Practice. The article discusses Teaching Practice under Supervision of Mentor-1, which was completed by the students in Semester 5. During their teaching practice the students observe lessons delivered by teachers and analyse them, teach lessons themselves, participate in activities of non-formal educational activities, familiarise with the school and its traditions, learn about support to school learners provided by the specialists working in the school and help school learners facing learning difficulties. The article presents the case of Vilnius Pranas Mašiotas Primary School, where 5 third year students of the study programme of Primary Education had their teaching practice. The analysis of practice diaries allows to reveal how teachers to be evaluate an educational institution and people working there, what they think about their own competency, personal development, how they obtain practical experience and what challenges they face during their teaching practice.