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LVM Specialists Share Their Experience in the Young Teacher Programme

Strengthening the cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Art of the University of Latvia, this week specialists of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) participated in an intensive summer training for young teachers, where they presented an interdisciplinary approach to competence education about the forest.

LVM School Programme Manager Līga Abizāre, who participated in the development of materials for the new educational content project “School 2030” (Skola 2030) within the topic “Research in the Forest”, led classes for future teachers in cooperation with LU assoc. Prof., dr. Paed. Ieva Margēviča – Grinberga. The participants had a task to evaluate the economic, social and ecological value of trees in nature, measure wood stock, as well as create sample plots on tree trunks to determine air pollution.

Before going outside, the participants got acquainted with the research site remotely, using the LVM GEO maps, where they analysed the vitality of trees and the height of vegetation. The prospective teachers also had to create their own desired future landscapes and define the values that would help achieve the desired future. “Although the landscapes drawn by the teachers were so different, trees were the common element, which everyone wanted to see in the future. Therefore, we also discussed the importance of trees, performed specific measurements in nature and cooperated in the fields of various subjects in order to approach the study result – understanding of the impact of forest management on the condition of forests in Latvia”, says Līga Abizāre. She continues: “It is a challenge to study nature in an urban environment, so I hope that the teachers became interested in continuing this study with their students in a more suitable environment – the forest, where LVM has already prepared plots and encourages further research.”

These activities were among the first activities designed for future teachers within the project “Mācītspēks” (Teaching Force). For more information on the topic please visit www.lvm.lv/petijumsmeza. Within the framework of the young teacher education project “Mācītspēks”, for the first time in the history of Latvian teacher education, a work environment – based approach to studies is implemented. This summer the training takes place at Jelgava Technical College, where the future teachers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to start working at school already in September; it is done within the framework of intensive two-week training and under the guidance of experienced teachers.

The author of the video: programme participant Dace Mortukāne

Summer studies are a part of the 2nd level professional higher education study programme “Mācītspēks”, in which 100 students – project participants – start their studies. The selection of the participants for the young teacher education project took place in three rounds, testing the suitability and motivation of each candidate. Out of 612 applications, the 100 best were selected. Schools have also shown great interest in this project – a total of 204 school applications were received with 461 teacher vacancies. The aim of the young teacher education project is to attract capable and motivated professionals in various fields to provide support in the teacher's work at schools. By joining forces, the project is implemented by the University of Latvia, the University of Liepāja and Daugavpils University, the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the Mission “Iespējamā misija” (Mission Possible).

LVM has been practicing in student education for more than ten years and, together with education experts, implements curricula for children of all ages at schools throughout Latvia – from primary school students to university graduates. More than 20 000 participants take part in LVM school programmes every year.