With the academy ‘Teacher Education for a Future in Flux (TEFF)’, the University of Cologne will establish an institution for pre- and in-service teachers starting in June 2023. TEFF will be funded with 1.5 million euros for a period of three years. The academy aims to provide students and teachers with better career development opportunities in an attempt to make the profession more attractive. The academy was initiated by the European University for Well-Being and is managed in collaboration with the Teacher Education Network. The academy is one of 16 projects selected for the European Commission’s ‘Partnership for Excellence – Erasmus+ Teacher Academies’ call for proposals.
Ten European universities, eight schools, three further education institutions, the district government of Cologne and five external partners will join forces to strengthen interdisciplinary teacher education across all phases. By initiating this academy, the University of Cologne will respond to the need to equip present and future teachers with the digital, green, inclusive and well-being skills essential for them to meet future challenges. The academy will also tap the synergies created by the European University for Well-being alliance and the Teacher Education Network.
Professor Dr Beatrix Busse, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies at the University of Cologne and Chief Development Officer of TEFF and of the European University for Well-Being, said, “This Teacher Academy cultivates change-agents in dire times. We are obligated to develop European-wide responses to European-wide problems using agile, cross-phased methods and employing resources that enable all teachers to focus, importantly, on the well-being of our children, students, teachers, universities and local, regional, European and global societies.”
Dr Jan Springob, Managing Director of TEFF and former teacher, believes, “The manifold cooperation of schools, universities, and further education institutions will boost the attractiveness and futures literacy of the teaching profession in all participating countries, namely Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Spain.”
The academy will offer innovative teaching and learning methods and formats, and the learning modules and lecture series will take place using hybrid, digital and in-person formats. These activities will be managed using agile project management methods and the products will be developed, tested and evaluated to produce cross-phased and interdisciplinary results.
Media Contact:
Professorin Dr. Beatrix Busse
beatrix.busse
uni-koeln.de
Dr. Jan Springob
jan.springobuni-koeln.de
Dr. Curie Lee
curie.leeuni-koeln.de
Press and Communications Team:
Robert Hahn
+49 221 470 2396
r.hahnverw.uni-koeln.de