Reflection and self-reflection, components of initial teacher education

Professional development for teachers, essential to successfully implementing the
educational process, is intimately related to the quality of education. Professional growth includes
various elements, including academic and educational training, enhancing instructional
strategies, increasing emotional intelligence and managing emotions, growth of social and
communication abilities, implementation of innovation in education, reflection and self-reflection,
and establishing communities and networks for professionals. This paper focuses on reflection,
and self-reflection as significant characteristics of teacher’s professional competence.
In the paper, I tried to answer several crucial questions related to the existence of differences
between these two concepts; their meaning and role; how they are implemented in the education
of future teachers; and the benefits of their application.