The relevance of this study is due to the growing importance of understanding the structure, principles, and psychological foundations of pedagogical activity in modern education, where the effectiveness of the teaching process largely depends on the professional readiness, competence, and motivational orientation of the teacher. The purpose of the study was to analyse the theoretical foundations, structural components, and functional characteristics of pedagogical activity, and to determine the role of professional readiness and pedagogical abilities in ensuring the effectiveness of a teacher’s professional performance. The study was based on a set of theoretical methods, including analysis, synthesis, comparison, systematisation, and generalisation of scientific literature in the fields of pedagogy, psychology, and professional education. The study investigated the essence of pedagogical activity as a complex, multifunctional system that integrated teaching, educational, organisational, communicative, projective, and gnostic components of the teacher’s professional work. It was established that pedagogical activity was determined by a system of motives, goals, actions, and results that guided the teacher’s professional behaviour and influenced the development of the learner’s personality. The analysis revealed the structural and functional characteristics of pedagogical actions, and the role of motivation, goal-setting, planning, and diagnostic activities in organising the educational process and achieving effective pedagogical outcomes. The study also generalised the main components of professional readiness of teachers, including psychological, theoretical, practical, motivational, and psychophysiological readiness, and outlined the importance of pedagogical abilities, professional orientation, and continuous professional development in the formation of pedagogical mastery. The practical significance of the study was in the possibility of applying its results in the professional training and professional development of teachers in higher education institutions, and in improving the organisation and management of pedagogical activity in educational practice
teacher competence; motivation; goal-setting; pedagogical abilities; instructional planning; professional development