The Teacher as a Subject and Object of Self-Design

Today's society requires initiative, characterized by activeness, independent meaningful choices and responsibility, but Estonian education, geared towards subject teaching and measurable outcomes, does not often facilitate their development. What are primary school teachers’ views on opportunities for independent decision-making and responsibility? The study comprises interviews with 26 primary teachers at different school types. Data is processed by the grounded theory coding system. Although in development and functioning as a teacher, roles are played by training, colleagues, children, parents and the wider community, teachers are responsible not only for learning and teaching, but also broader development of themselves and children. The most important design project for each teacher is her/his own professionalism.