Social, psychological, and pedagogical determinants of teachers’ professional longevity: perspectives and interpretations

Introduction. Awareness of the crisis surrounding traditional educational approaches has prompted the exploration of new pedagogical strategies designed to enhance the professional competitiveness of older teachers. Aim. The aim of the current research is to identify pertinent issues and the prevailing theoretical frameworks that support the preservation of the professional potential of older teachers amid the ongoing transformational processes within the education system of the Russian Federation. Methodology and research methods. Acmeological, cluster, and socio-digital approaches have become the foundational basis for research. The research methodology employed a descriptive approach to review both theoretical and empirical studies. A total of 2,697 publications related to the research topic were identified. Limitations included the fact that the search for research results in both Russian and English was conducted using publicly available databases. Results. The prolongation of the careers of educators in the “third age” is a multifaceted process influenced by the dialectical interaction of personal and motivational factors, institutional support, and the optimisation of professional conditions. A crucial element in the successful integration of older educators into the contemporary educational landscape is their willingness to participate in continuous learning, actively utilising informal and non-formal practices. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in conducting a large-scale investigation into methods for preserving the professional potential of older teachers, as well as examining the roles of formal, non-formal, and informal practices in these processes. Practical significance. The practical significance of this research is that the results obtained can be utilised to develop strategies aimed at maintaining and enhancing the professional competence of teachers within this age group.