V. Bujanauskienė, director of the Utena Education Center, shares her deep-rooted passion for education, stating that her desire to be a teacher has never been in question since childhood. As a child, she often played school, admiring her elementary school teacher and even mimicking their behavior. After completing her studies at Vilnius University, she began her career as a teacher and progressed to becoming a vice principal, then a school director. In 2007, she was presented with a unique opportunity to create the Utena Education Center from scratch, emphasizing the importance of building an institution that was previously non-existent in the municipality.

Under her leadership, the Education Center initially focused on the professional development of teachers. Over the years, it has evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of the education system within the region. Bujanauskienė highlights the collaborative effort required to establish a culture, workforce, and vision unique to the center. This experience not only fulfilled her ambition but also contributed significantly to advancing educational quality in Utena, aligning with modern educational standards. The center serves as a beacon for innovation and continuous improvement, demonstrating the impact of dedicated leadership in education.