LINKgroup (represented by Savremena Gimnazija) and its partners attended the second transnational meeting of the LEAF project at Suceava

The picturesque town of Suceava in Romania hosted the second transnational meeting of the LEAF project from November 22 to 23, 2023. The gathering brought together educators and representatives from six countries, marking a pivotal moment in their collective efforts to enhance biodiversity education.

Teachers Dijana Šarac and Jelena Spasojević from Savremena Gimnazija (LINKgroup) participated in the meeting, held as part of the LEAF project, contributing their expertise to the collaborative task. The focus of this meeting was the presentation of modules developed by partners for the upcoming Teacher's Handbook, with the entire working package led by the team from Savremena Gimnazija as representatives of LINKgroup, one of the project partners.

Over the course of two working days, partners not only presented their modules but also engaged in live discussions about the project's future tasks and planned the continuation of their collaborative efforts. The event facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering a sense of unity among participants.

Continuous professional development of high school teachers and all enthusiasts dedicated to biodiversity conservation

A crucial moment in the project is the imminent completion of the Teacher's Handbook, a joint effort of the six participating countries. This handbook promises to be a valuable educational resource for future generations, serving as a significant tool for the continuous professional development of high school teachers and all enthusiasts dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Translated versions of the handbook will be available in all partner countries' languages, ensuring broad accessibility.

The handbook introduces an innovative educational model, emphasizing community-engaged learning, project-based learning and citizen science. Students are encouraged to actively participate in monitoring and analyzing local plant biodiversity, promoting practical, experiential learning.

The meeting in Suceava proved pivotal in solidifying plans for the remaining working packages, all aimed at better organizing efforts leading to the achievement of project goals. Looking ahead, the next partners' meeting is scheduled for November next year, with LINKgroup hosting the organization. This ongoing collaboration underscores the commitment of all partners to the success of the LEAF project, with Suceava serving as an unforgettable milestone in its journey.

I am extremely pleased and proud to be the parent of a Savremena student. During my first encounter with the school management, when I asked about my child’s potential enrolment, I saw how much love, enthusiasm and professionalism you put in your work. I was impressed by your approach, ideas and methods. I couldn’t believe something like this existed in our country! It doesn’t take long to realise that this is a school you would recommend to everyone. Creativity, modern technology, top-quality education, and most of all, the humaneness that can be seen throughout the school, make it truly different and worthy of its name – Savremena Gimnazija. With such an approach, the success of this school and, consequently, our children’s success, is unavoidable. Congratulations! Jelena Đorđević, Andrija’s mum
Contemporary in any sense of the word, our school offers functional knowledge and quality preparation for tertiary education in Serbia and abroad. Implementing modern and creative teaching in the classroom, where the teachers’ pedagogy and students’ performance are aligned with the highest academic standards for the high-school finals, our school develops linguistic, mathematical, scientific, artistic, cultural, technical and ICT competence, which is a prerequisite for further education and professional development. Teaching is supported by the interactive whiteboards and educational software, whereas practice exercises research and critical thinking.