Simonas Šabanovas

Simonas Šabanovas
Portrait, 2024
Director of the National Agency for Education
Assumed office
24 October 2024
MinisterRaminta Popovienė
Preceded byAidas Aldakauskas
Personal details
Born (1985-11-21) 21 November 1985
Alma materVilnius University
OccupationTeacher, director, professor

Simonas Šabanovas (Lithuanian: [ˈsɪ.mɔ.nas ʃaˈbɐ.nɔ.vas]; born 21 November 1985) is a Lithuanian educator and specialist who currently serves as Director of the National Agency for Education. Previously, he worked as an adviser to the Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of Lithuania.[1][2]

Early life and education

Šabanovas was born on 21 November 1985 in Kaunas, Lithuania. He attended and completed his secondary education in 2005 at Kaunas Maironis Gymnasium. He holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Bachelor’s degree in geography, a Master’s degree in General Geography and Land Management, a pedagogy qualification, and doctoral studies in Sociology.[3][4]

Work experience

Simonas Šabanovas has served as the director of the National Agency for Education in Lithuania since October 2024, after being selected for the position through a competitive process and beginning his duties at the end of that month.[5]

Before becoming the director of the National Agency for Education, Šabanovas worked for several years in the Education Department of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, where he was an adviser focused on improving education policy and coordinating initiatives such as STEAM learning.[6]

He has long been involved in higher education and academic research, serving as a lecturer, researcher, and project leader at Vilnius University, particularly within the Faculty of Philosophy’s Institute of Educational Sciences, teaching subjects such as educational studies and geography didactics.[7]

In recognition of his contributions to education, Šabanovas was named Teacher of the Year in 2017, one of the highest national awards for educators, reflecting his innovative teaching and leadership in education.[8]

References

  1. ^ Vingilis, Vakaris; bernardinai.lt (2024-10-24). "Į NŠA vadovo kėdę sėdantis S. Šabanovas: naujos pareigos – galimybė pokyčiams švietime, kurių laukia bendruomenė". Bernardinai.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  2. ^ Dževeckytė, Rasa. "Nacionalinės švietimo agentūros vadovu tapo S. Šabanovas - Verslo žinios". vz.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  3. ^ Eberson, Author: Darius. "Nacionalinė švietimo agentūra - » Vadovai" (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Vilnius University".
  5. ^ "Išrinktas Nacionalinės švietimo agentūros vadovas". smsm.lrv.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  6. ^ "Darbą pradeda naujas Nacionalinės švietimo agentūros vadovas – Simonas Šabanovas". tv3.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  7. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.fsf.vu.lt. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2026-01-02. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  8. ^ Ruzgys, Juozas; bernardinai.lt (2018-04-19). "Apdovanoti geriausi 2017 metų mokytojai". Bernardinai.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2026-01-02.