Teacher’s Professional Spirituality in the Context of Today’s Challenges

The paper presents results of the scientific research and authors’ speculations and reflections as to substantiating the significance, role and manifestations of spirituality in teacher’s professional life in the conditions of current transformational challenges; potential ways of spirituality education are determined. Peculiarities of the society social-cultural development are revealed, which stipulates the actualization of the specified topic. The results of the research are characterized by the humanitarian sciences understanding of the categorical status of the concept “spirituality” in the context of ontological, epistemological and content-based approaches. Certain spiritual-moral imperatives, that deserve special attention from the standpoint of today’s pedagogical theory and practice, are singled out from the world heritage. The essential nature of the individual’s spirituality is determined; the authors’ interpretation of the teacher’s professional spirituality is presented: peculiar internal state of the teacher's personality experienced as a holistic existence, it germinates in pedagogical activities that increase and strengthen the spiritual, moral and ethical potential of students. The dominant features and manifestations of professional spirituality are updated and modified (empathy, professional optimism, ability to surprise, self-irony, sense of humor, desire for self-improvement, intelligence, professional reflection). Some key positions that contribute to strengthening the role of the spiritual dominant in the process of teacher training are provided; they include motivational, content-purposeful, activity-oriented and cognitive components.