Degrees: PHD, 2008, Univ Michigan Ann Arbor; PHD, 2005, Siauliai University; MA, 1980, Vilnius Univ

Bio:

Field of Study: Teacher Education

Research Interests: Informal Teacher Learning; Comparative International Education; Qualitative Research Methods.

Previous Teaching Specialization:  2001-present: Ph.D. Candidate since September 2004, Field Instructor and Graduate Student Research Assistant, School of Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Teach undergraduate and graduate seminars, supervise students’ practicum. Apprenticed in teaching a graduate course “Research and Educational Practice”. Work on BioKids research project. Doctoral candidate.

1999-2001: Lecturer. Taught undergraduate, graduate and faculty distance education courses at the Modern Didactics Center, Vilnius, Lithuania.

1998-2000: Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Lithuania. Taught undergraduate courses "Institutions’ and Parents’ Partnership", "Individualization of Early Childhood Education", “Observation and Assessment of Young Children in a Child-Centered Classroom”.

1994-1999: Country Director and coordinator of the International Child Development Program "Step by Step" at the Open Society Fund-Lithuania, Vilnius (the Soros Foundations). Co-trained with American Faculty and later trained faculty, teachers, principals, parents, and community members independently. Responsible for realization of a student-centered educational system in Lithuanian universities, primary schools, kindergartens and pre-schools. Collaborated with the Ministry of Education and local educational authorities. Networked with 15 other Eastern and Central European countries, communicated with the local institutions, organizations and the head office in New York and Washington, DC. Provided professional and technical support to the educators all over the country.

1990-1992: Lecturer (part-time). Taught undergraduate courses “Organization of Extra Curricular Activities with Teenagers” at Vilnius Pedagogical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.

1986-1994: Principal of Vilnius kindergarten and a primary school No. 134, in charge of 60 staff and 300 children age 1,5-10. Responsible for organization of staff work, education and safety of children. Reported to the city Department of Education.

1985-1986: Vice-Director of the State Children and Youth Center (Vilnius, Lithuania), responsible for development of the system and content of extra curricula activities all over the country, published recommendations, organized seminars for teachers.

1980-1985: Teacher of English language (ESL) in Vilnius secondary school No. 8, and organizer of extra curricula activities.