Short biography

I graduated from Vilnius Pedagogical University, where I studied philology. I am a teacher of Lithuanian language and literature and deputy director of education at Vilnius "Varpo" Adult Secondary School. Currently, I am also studying school management at Mykolas Romeris University.

My story of Empowerment

In 1996 I was in Year 11. I was one and a half years away from graduating. Then my mother became very ill. She not only lost her health, but also her livelihood - she lost her job. I suddenly became the head of the family: Not only did I have to take care of my sick mother, but I also had to survive somehow. It is painful to remember that difficult time - the fear of the future, the feeling of insecurity, the constant worry. But I found a job and calmed down, and life seemed to be getting back on track. But the question was, what about school? I was working full time, I couldn't give up my livelihood, so I had to find a way to finish secondary school. At first, I tried self-study. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be for me: it wasn't easy to study on my own, without a teacher, to plan my own time, to stay on track and to complete my assignments on time. I had to find other ways. I had heard about adult education centres that offered evening classes. After finding some addresses in the telephone directory, I went to enquire about learning opportunities.

The first school I visited was called Vilnius 8th Adult Secondary School. As I walked up the stairs, I saw a woman standing there, bundled up in a warm, fluffy jumper. I asked her about learning opportunities. She reminded me that the school year was coming to an end and that I would have to finish Year 11 on my own. I would only be able to transfer to an adult school, she said, from 1 September - the new school year. She spoke warmly and explained everything clearly, but I still hoped that I might have better luck at the next school. 

So I went to another school. I won't mention the name of the other school where I was greeted coldly and indifferently and told that it was too late to transfer to that school. That was it. I left with an uncomfortable residue in my heart, determined never to return. I will not try my luck again. After finishing grade 11 on my own, I opened the doors of Vilnius 8th Adult Secondary School as the new school year approached. I was welcomed by the same woman I had met the first time. She turned out to be the principal of the school. What an important warm welcome, a warm word! Thank you very much!

I was not happy on my way to school on the 1st of September. I had left all my old friends behind, and I felt wronged by the fate that had robbed me of the best years of my youth and forced me to work and study from early in the morning until late at night. I didn't try to make new friends, but time did its work... And so did the teachers. 

At the adult school I met understanding and attentive people who had experienced many different learner stories and were genuinely trying to give them a happy ending. 

I was also fascinated by my classmates - never giving up, embracing life, striving for a goal. Not everyone succeeded, but I was one of those who made it to the end. The same year I finished secondary school, I started university. The goal of finishing school was achieved.

After two years at university, I ran into my former Lithuanian teacher. He mentioned that the school was looking for a replacement teacher when a colleague fell ill and asked if I, his gifted pupil, now a student, would be interested in working for him? It was nice to hear that, so of course I said yes. I started by substituting for a colleague, and eventually, I stayed on at the school. Symbolically, I was given the classroom where I had studied a few years earlier.

Today, the school I graduated from, the school where I started working, is called Vilnius Varpo Adult Gymnasium. I am a teacher of Lithuanian language and literature at this school, and now I help my students to write happy endings to their life stories. I am proud to work at the Adult Secondary School, where I meet people with extraordinary destinies, where I feel a sense of purpose and where I can help them to find their own way in life.