Teacher Leadership In Lithuania:Are Teachers Prepared To Cooperate?

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, Lithuaniahas established a system of education based onhumanistic and democratic relationships. In thissystem, teacher leadership is highly important, asit serves as the basis for school community “reculturisation”and improvement. The aim of the currentarticle is to overview the situation of teacherleadership in Lithuania, emphasising the aspectof teacher cooperation. The three characteristicsof Lithuanian teacher leadership that we presentdemonstrate that teacher cooperation remains achallenge in the country. Teachers are reluctantto discuss and render improvement proposals,and lack experience of teamwork. Nevertheless, itis to be expected that the ongoing project “Timefor Leaders,” will produce the necessary culturalchange required to create a learning network ofteachers and establish genuine, open and professional dialogue.