US education expert Dr Christy Zarpas met students, lecturers and guests at Burgas State University "Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov", the university said.
The interactive discussion in the Pinakothek hall was titled "The challenges facing the 21st-century teacher – between knowledge, emotions and communication".
Zarpas, who led the talk, has a doctorate in education with a focus on social-emotional learning and a master's degree in primary education. She earned both at National University in San Diego, California. She also holds extra training in integrative health coaching from Duke University. She researches social-emotional learning and teacher wellbeing, and has worked in the US education system for more than seven years.
The talk covered social-emotional learning, how teachers and pupils communicate, and the problems facing modern education. Zarpas gave examples from US practice. Students asked questions and discussed how similar methods could be used in Bulgarian schools.
The university's Department of Qualification and Professional Development of Teaching Specialists and Burgas council organised the event, with support from the Faculty of Pedagogy and Humanities. University rector Prof. Dr Sotir Sotirov was its patron.
Katya Misheva, head of the Education Directorate at Burgas council, attended as a special guest and passed on greetings from mayor Dimitar Nikolov.
Burgas State University "Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov" also hosted another international meeting in October. Rector Prof. Dr Sotir Sotirov met the rector of Trakya University in Edirne, and the guests invited the university to join the "Bridges of Healthcare" initiative.
The university says the meeting is part of efforts to introduce future teachers to international experience and modern teaching methods.