Teacher preparation in a post‐totalitarian society: an interpretation of Ukrainian teacher educators’ stereotypes

Democratizing educational systems within the unstable economic and political contexts of post‐communist settings became an issue of stability in the region. Recent events connected with the 2004 presidential election in Ukraine sent a message to the world about people’s will for a future committed to freedom, democracy and the rule of law. There is no doubt that Ukrainians want change for democratic citizenship and European integration. However, Ukraine’s educational system, inherited from the Soviet era, remains predominantly authoritarian despite centralized educational reforms. Discussing the challenges of pedagogical re‐conceptualization reflected in the interviews of teacher educators, the authors define seven major stereotypes of educating pre‐service teachers and suggest recommendations for educational change that would promote the building and strengthening of democracy in this post‐conflict society.