The article presents the meaning of the concepts of "professional and pedagogical activityˮ, "professional developmentˮ and shows that professional development is a multifaceted process of acquiring and using new knowledge, skills and qualities that are necessary for highly effective implementation of professional pedagogical activity. It is noted that professional development is a process of transforming the teacher's individuality, aimed at self-improvement and achievement of acmeological

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... s in professional activity; the features of professional and pedagogical activity of a teacher of higher military educational institution are singled out in the article. The stages of professional development of a teacher (choice of profession, professional education and training, professional adaptation, professional competence, professionalism, mastery and innovation) are analyzed. It is identified that self-improvement is implemented in two interrelated ways: self-education and personal development. A brief meaningful characteristic of these concepts is offered. The stages of self-improvement of scientific and pedagogical workers are characterized: the stage of self-knowledge (the initial stage of cognitive activity of a person), the stage of creating a personal self-improvement program (formation of goals and ideals for achieving one's goal), the stage of implementation of self-improvement program (professional development implementation complex), the stage of control and regulation of self-improvement process (evaluation of achieved results). On the basis of theoretical analysis and selected results of the empirical research, the author offers advice for teachers of higher military educational institutions for their professional self-improvement. It is determined that constant improvement of professional skills is an important factor in the professional development of a scientific and pedagogical worker. Keywords: pedagogical activity, higher military education institution, professional development, stages of professional development, self-improvement, self-education, innovativeness.