ICE members among Serbia’s best educators in 2019
As many as 6 out of the top 10 best educators in Serbia for 2019 are ICE members and associates. We are proud of our colleagues and congratulate them on this prestigious recognition.
Each year, the Živojin Mišić Association hands out awards for the best teachers and professors in elementary schools and high schools in Serbia. The selection criteria states that the best educators are innovative and creative, fully in command of their subject, motivated, positive, organized, communicative, eloquent, prone to lifelong learning, fair and always willing to encourage students.
ICE members and associates who have won this important award are aware that only these qualities can bring professional success and personal satisfaction. They have adopted the lifelong learning concept and are working on their continuous development, conveying this idea to their students.
The best teachers keep track of innovation in learning through ICE membership
Among the best educators this year is teacher Biljana Popović from the Knez Sima Marković Elementary School in Barajevo, who is also a member of the Institute for Contemporary Education. Biljana is an advocate for environmental protection who fosters learning and playing outdoors, encourages teachers to use ICT in teaching, helps students make their first steps in the world of programming and is one of the Edu Heroes who use the Design for Change methodology.
“I believe that being a teacher is one of the most challenging and most beautiful professions with a high level of responsibility. If I had ten lives, I would spend all of them as a teacher. At school, I use the DFC methodology to encourage children to develop and fulfill their potential by gaining 21st-century skills; I inspire them to say YES I CAN, because superheroes are not in fairy tales but in each child who says I CAN DO ANYTHING”, says Biljana and highlights the importance of innovation and creativity in knowledge transfer.
“ICE membership allows me to keep track of innovation, gain valuable knowledge, skills and contacts, consequently enhancing the quality of my own work. The Institute has contributed to my professional development in the domain of modern technology through programs allowing me to be up to date with the changes and an even better user of ICT. The application of IT in teaching enhances the quality of the teaching process and student motivation, and contributes to a greater access and a better understanding of the subject content.”
Lifelong development – the key to success
Another recipient of the award for the best educators in Serbia for 2019, Ljiljana Lazarević, a teacher at the Mihailo Petrović Alas Elementary School in Belgrade and ICE member, underlines the fact that her constant professional development allows her to introduce innovation in teaching, from modern technology to different learning methods and techniques.
“ICE has predominantly contributed to my professional development through accredited seminars and non-accredited public discussions promoting the education we need today”, says teacher Ljiljana, whose professional philosophy is: ʼWe shouldn’t limit children with our knowledge, as they were born in a different timeʼ.”
Numerous benefits for ICE members
Some of the best educators in Serbia insist that those who teach children should constantly learn, develop and follow innovative trends, not only in education but in all related areas. Live and learn means much more in today’s world. For them, the best way to achieve this is through ICE membership.
ICE membership has brought them not only the possibility to attend many seminars, trainings, and lectures, but also access to courses and various professional development resources. ICE’s professional development programs are designed for those who wish to gain new and applicable skills, learn about the application of technology in teaching and advance in their field of choice. Join them – apply for ICE membership!