Keyword: «21st century students»

The article examines the transformation of the image of an ideal teacher in the perception of modern schoolchildren – representatives of the digital generation. The relevance is associated with a change in the educational paradigm, digitalization and a change in the social demand for teachers. The purpose of the work is to analyze the key characteristics of an ideal teacher of the 21st century with an educational function. Based on the research (O. V. Korshunova, E. A. Petrova, N. M. Shishulina, and others), the components of the image are identified: emotional intelligence, ability to dialogue, professional competence, justice, and moral character. The contradiction between traditional expectations and new requirements (digital literacy, working with clip-based thinking) is emphasized. Conclusion: the modern ideal teacher is not a knowledge transmitter, but an evolving authority and mentor who builds subject-subject relationships.