Keyword: «future teachers»

Currently, the problem of patriotic education of students is considered as a priority task of modern education. The formation of patriotism among future teachers is based on the ideas of the ideal of a teacher and a citizen in the classical pedagogical heritage. The paper analyzes the contribution of great Russian teachers (K.D. Ushinsky, V.A. Sukhomlinsky, A.S. Makarenko, N.I. Pirogov) to the development of the theory and practice of educating a citizen and a patriot. Based on the analysis of modern research and classical ideas, the key principles and strategies of patriotic education in a pedagogical university are highlighted, including the principle of cultural conformity, an axiological approach and activity mediation.

In the modern digital society, pedagogical higher education institutions play a strategic role in preparing qualified specialists capable of educating future generations and responding to contemporary educational challenges. Along with professional subject knowledge, the development of soft skills among future teachers is becoming increasingly important. The article examines the necessity of developing soft skills in students of pedagogical universities within the context of digital transformation. Skills such as empathy, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity are becoming integral components of a modern teacher’s professional competence. The article substantiates the importance of maintaining a balance between deep subject knowledge (hard skills) and interpersonal flexible skills (soft skills). It also discusses the value of adaptation to changes in the labor market and educational environment, creative problem-solving, and effective teamwork abilities. In conclusion, the authors propose integrating soft skills development methodologies into curricula to prepare competitive and comprehensively developed педагогical professionals for the digital society.