Professor Josep Alemany has been appointed by the Governing Council as the new academic director of the Degree in Primary Education and the University Master’s Degree in Teacher Training for Compulsory Secondary and Bachelor’s Education, Vocational Training and Language Teaching.
Josep Alemany has an extensive professional and academic career in the world of education, with more than 25 years as a primary school teacher and member of management teams. A doctoral student in Education, he has obtained a master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Organization and Management of Educational Centers and is currently the Coordinator of the Digital TA Erasmus + education project led by UNEATLANTICO.
In addition to his academic training, Alemany holds a degree in Primary Education and a diploma in Teaching with a specialization in Physical Education. To further strengthen his profile, he has completed an MBA in Sports Management and has attained the title of Superior Level Sports Technician in Basketball, in addition to holding the distinction of Superior Basketball Coach.
In the world of basketball, Alemany has had a 35-year career, including the technical manager of Spanish women’s youth national teams, regional teams, clubs, and sports schools. On this occasion, we get to know him in depth.
- First, what is your previous experience in the field of Primary Education?
My first experience as a student was not particularly positive, but from that first contact with education, I had the desire to go to university and train future teachers. I have been a primary school teacher for 25 years in two schools. I majored in physical education in both cases, and in addition, in the second institute, I took on the role of tutor, which further enriched my teaching experience.
- What does this appointment mean for you professionally and personally?
I feel really fortunate to have the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with future teachers. Above all for having the possibility of transmitting what I believe in with the objective of helping them discover if they want to be teachers and be as competent as possible in the teaching profession.
- In this regard, what can you tell us about the functions and tasks you will perform as academic director?
The tasks I perform are multiple. In addition to teaching undergraduate subjects, I am fortunate to work with excellent colleagues in all areas of university life, whom I help by coordinating and assisting them to achieve the best possible functioning of the degree and master’s program. The goal is to ensure that the student is in the right environment, receives quality care, and enjoys a satisfactory experience.
- What are your main objectives in taking on this position?
As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to help students discover if they want to become teachers and, if so, to guide them toward that path while maintaining professionalism and encouraging their development to be as competent and motivated as possible.
- What is your vision for the future of the Elementary Education program at this university?
One of the main challenges is to increase the number of students who choose UNEATLANTICO as their first choice for teacher training. We will achieve this by maintaining the teaching quality that guarantees us and combining it with methodological and pedagogical initiatives in which we are working to become a university reference center in the educational field.
- What are the internship opportunities for Primary Education students? And how do you facilitate their search?
With respect to external internships, these are carried out in educational institutions, in accordance with the regulations established through the CEMU, where we provide support and guidance to ensure their correct development. We are also working on the promotion of Erasmus programs and the stimulation of internship opportunities in Europe.
- How do you plan to address current challenges in Elementary Education, such as technology in the classroom and student diversity?
One of the central objectives of the degree program is to instill in students and future teachers the importance of respect, both for themselves and for others, encompassing concepts of inclusion and interpersonal relationships. As well as to understand the importance of technological changes in today’s society, helping them to know them and know how to implement them properly within the educational framework of the LOMLOE.
- Do you have any specific initiatives or projects that you would like to implement in the Elementary Education program?
We are focused on enriching our current offerings by creating environments where students can employ active methodologies and new technologies, modeled on the classrooms of the future. In addition, we are committed to strengthening the international experiences of our students through the Erasmus program. At the same time, we are working to promote conferences and activities with leading figures in the field of education, both locally and nationally.
- What advice would you give to prospective students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of education?
Our main objective is that students consider UNEATLANTICO as their first choice to discover their professional path, forge their education, and help them achieve everything they need to achieve professional fulfillment and give the next generations what they need to be happy.