An Essay on Navigating Change in the Post-Soviet Educational Systems

Abstract

Born and raised in Philadelphia, a city where rationality, diversity, and skepticism abound, the expectations of my world have been significantly influenced by this environment. My upbringing has emphasized questioning to understand and evaluate,
to seek clarification if confused, and to speak out against wrongs that are ethical, moral, and practical. Now, as a teacher in post-Soviet Georgia, I am faced with a radically different reality. The ghost of Soviet command and control still haunts these shores, complicating every worthwhile change I want to effect for the benefit of my students. In this essay, I will critically analyze the problems of effecting
change in this environment and explore solutions for treading this tightrope, with an optimistic vision for the future.

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