The Importance of Developing Personal Competences for Trainee Teachers in the Field of Special Educational Needs

Andrea Christine Schmid

(Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany)

Abstract: It is of fundamental importance that prospective teachers in special needs education acquire professional competencies that equip them to cope with the high job demands and support their psychological and physiological health. Therefore in the current longitudinal study a sample of 60 trainee teachers for learning disabilities from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (Germany) was examined using a mixed method approach which included quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews. The sample was divided into a treatment (the prevention and intervention program “AGIL” against teacher burnout) and a control group. Results showed that about 40% of these prospective special needs teachers have non-healthy coping-styles concerning their workload and future tasks. Consequently these student teachers may need additional intensive and individual training elements regarding not only to their subjects and methods, but especially to their personal competences and self-evelopment, e.g., self-regulation/-reflection, dealing with conflicts or stress and biographical work. study, self-/other perception, stress, coping, prevention/intervention

Key words: teaching profession, personal competences, inclusion, mixed method approach, longitudinal