One of the prerequisites for solving the important and difficult task of training competitive specialists in all branches of the economy is the effective development of the pedagogical excellence of a tertiary school teacher. The problem to be solved within the framework of this study is the assessment of the priority and importance of factors, forms and means of formation of pedagogical skills of teachers of higher education institutions. In the course of the research, an analytical method, synthesis, comparison of information, was used to study the scientific literature on the formation and development of the pedagogical excellence of teachers of higher educational institutions, as well as a questionnaire survey for practical clarification of certain practical aspects of achieving the optimal level of pedagogical excellence of a tertiary school teacher. According to the results of the research, based on the analysis of scientific studies and the conducted survey, the factors, criteria and tools that can be applied to achieve the optimal level of pedagogical excellence of teachers of higher educational institutions were studied. Consideration of this problem allows us to come to the conclusion that the purpose of the academic paper is to clarify the theoretical fundamentals and determine the standpoints of teachers, heads of departments and faculties of higher educational institutions regarding the features and factors of the development of the pedagogical excellence of a tertiary school teacher in order to increase the effectiveness of his professional activity.